Have you ever had a leak after an oil change?

[Elkins45]

The instructions on the oil filter box say “run engine for three minutes, check for leaks.” Have you ever found one? I’ve been changing my oil for 45 years now and have never had a leak from the drain plug or filter. Checking for leaks feels mostly like a formality to me, but I still do it anyway.

 

[Foreman04]

I did have a leak due to my error in replacing the drain plug without a washer. Still not sure how I did that but I did it. I used a neat trick with a shop vac that enabled me to remove the drain plug and replace again with the appropriate crush washer. Did not spill a drop.

 

[jhs914]

Yep. Over fifty years ago, early in my shade tree mechanic career. I didn't check to see if the gasket on the old filter stuck to the engine and my wife drove off only to call me that the oil light came on. Lesson learned. I check the gasket every time since then.

 

[Propflux01]

I leaked 4 quarts of Pennzoil 10w-40 back in the late 80's once after an oil 'change'. Guess what I forgot!

 

[Kira]

Once I did post #3.
It was my dear brother's vehicle. I had to plead with him to let me do an oil change and he never came back (sad).

I changed the oil in a neighbor's car only to learn that the local "coupon lube" joint had stripped his pan.
Permatex "Ultra Black" to the rescue!

 

[marc1]

The instructions on the oil filter box say “run engine for three minutes, check for leaks.” Have you ever found one? I’ve been changing my oil for 45 years now and have never had a leak from the drain plug or filter. Checking for leaks feels mostly like a formality to me, but I still do it anyway.

Pretty much the same sentiment, 40+ years of home oil changes, no issues ever. However I still always run the engine and check for leaks after doing the job.

 

[supton]

Yes.

Our CRV, the pan bolts are a bit buggered up. Had a slow drip until I gave it another quarter turn. "Snug" isn't enough, it has to be forced the last bit.

On a Camry that had the cannister housing--goobered up the o-ring install. I started the car, then immediately drove it outside, as I didn't want the exhaust in the garage. Well, learned that it's easier to clean oil off concrete than it is asphalt--and no one really cares about a dark spot in the garage, not when it's under the car and not visible most of the time.

I did notice at work a number of oil spots popping up; finally traced it the vehicle, when I think I could tell the puddle was fresh and/or saw it actually drop a drop. Told the guy about it. Turns out, oil change not that long ago--and when he looked at it, the filter was barely held on.

There's value in a quick run and checking. Although I'm not sure why I do so after putting on the bellypan, as that kinda defeats the purpose...

 

[Elkins45]

I leaked 4 quarts of Pennzoil 10w-40 back in the late 80's once after an oil 'change'. Guess what I forgot!

I did that once. My chatty neighbor came over to bug me in the middle of the process and I poured three quarts straight thru before I realized I hadn’t reinstalled the plug. I don’t think that counts LOL.

 

[Barkleymut]

5 quarts of G-oil hit my driveway one day...
But no I do not get up under the car to check for leaks. I check my oil level every time I get gas.

 

[D60]

Honestly, I'm more paranoid about diesel fuel filter/water separator leaks after service as I've had a few leak.

It seems manufacturers are adept at producing huge-diameter, coarse thread, plastic fittings with only a few threads and tons of friction from plastic on plastic

 

[barryh]

The instructions on the oil filter box say “run engine for three minutes, check for leaks.” Have you ever found one? I’ve been changing my oil for 45 years now and have never had a leak from the drain plug or filter. Checking for leaks feels mostly like a formality to me, but I still do it anyway.

Forgive me if I've told this story before.

I'd be 16 or 17 so it would be approx 1971. I'd changed the oil on my Ducati Monza Junior and taken it for a test ride. All seemed fine until a few corners from home the rear wheel started skidding out sideways. I pulled into my fathers drive and had just put the bike on the stand when the drain plug promptly fell out emptying the whole contents of the sump onto the drive way. Could have been a lot worse I suppose if it happened at speed but my father wasn't impressed with the oil stain.

Never had an oil leak since but I have overtightened a few sump plugs.

I've noticed that several of my German vehicles have had very long threaded sump plugs presumably to give an untightened plug a chance to leak and get noticed before the plug falls out completely.

 

[Chris142]

Yes. I do about 5 oil changes a day. Seems like every time I torque a drain bolt to spec it leaks. Now I just do them by feel and much fewer leak.

 

[Patman]

In my 39 years worth of oil changes I’ve never had a leak after doing one. I thought I might have one after my last change on the Corvette because none of my filter cap wrenches fit the Carquest Premium that I used, and it’s a tight squeeze that doesn’t really allow me to get a grip on the filter to tighten it as much as I wanted to. But apparently I did tighten it enough as I have gone 2000 miles since that change and it’s dry under there.

 

[OVERKILL]

The instructions on the oil filter box say “run engine for three minutes, check for leaks.” Have you ever found one? I’ve been changing my oil for 45 years now and have never had a leak from the drain plug or filter. Checking for leaks feels mostly like a formality to me, but I still do it anyway.

Yep! Only once:

Thread 'Weeping FRAM Ultra XG2'

Sep 29, 2020

So, ever since we changed the oil on the Jeep I've been getting the odd oily whiff from the vents so I climbed under it and the bottom of the filter was damp. Hosed it off with brake kleen and it seemed good for a while but then it came back and I rolled under again and sure enough, there was oil on the bottom of the filter.

Filter was tight (checked) and when I removed it today (went and bought a cap wrench) I didn't see any obvious issue with the gasket. The base plate had a small gouge in it near the inlet holes but I wouldn't think that would have any impact?

Obviously a very small...

• OVERKILL
• Replies: 46
• Forum: Engine Oil Filters

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[Stimp]

Yes, twice on this car. Once tightening the drain plug without a torque wrench. When torqued to spec to was fine. And then this:

The o ring included with this leaked immediately, checked my work and the cap was on straight and torqued to spec. O ring had a red coating, and when removed i was cleaning the cap with brake cleaner and the coating broke down. It looked like this:
View attachment 232365Replaced with an o ring from an STP filter that was black and all was well. Never again if I see that kind of o ring.

 

[GSCJR]

Yes, twice. Once on my wife's and once on my mom's. Probably rushing to get to paying clients . I hate overtightening and therefore they both needed a little extra . Both got new copper crush washers as per usual.

 

[D60]

Yes. I do about 5 oil changes a day. Seems like every time I torque a drain bolt to spec it leaks. Now I just do them by feel and much fewer leak.

This reminds me if I don't do a new crush washer on Subarus EVERY time they'll leak!

 

[Patman]

This reminds me if I don't do a new crush washer on Subarus EVERY time they'll leak!

Interestingly enough, I rarely ever change the washers on my drain plugs (if they even have them) and I still haven’t had a leak even after reusing that washer tons of times.

 

[eljefino]

Yeah, left the drain plug out on a Saturn back in the day. Ran two quarts of maxlife 10w30 through before noticing. Pan was still in place, so no mess.

 

[bruckus]

Yep. On my wife's Wrangler with a 3.6. It has a top mount canister filter. I must have got the cap o-ring in the incorrect position or it moved during installation. It leaked when I started it not much but it leaked. I removed the cap, installed the old o-ring and reinstalled. Glad I checked for leaks on that one like I usually always do.