How common is a leaky oil filter?

[Falcon_LS]

Buddy has a '02 Suburban C1500, and noticed puddles of oil in his driveway. He asked if I could take a look with him and it was coming from the oil filter, an ACDelco PF46. He was also 2 quarts low on oil. He doesn't drive the car daily, but the last time he changed the oil was 5 months ago (he goes by the OLM).

Nevertheless we drained the oil, put a WIX 51042 on and 6 quarts of SL rated Pennzoil HD-30. Reset the OLM, degreased the area and took the truck for a nice, long drive. The area was bone dry.

What could cause an oil filter to leak like that? Faulty filter?

 

[user52165]

Originally Posted By: Falcon_LS
Buddy has a '02 Suburban C1500, and noticed puddles of oil in his driveway. He asked if I could take a look with him and it was coming from the oil filter, an ACDelco PF46. He was also 2 quarts low on oil. He doesn't drive the car daily, but the last time he changed the oil was 5 months ago (he goes by the OLM).

Nevertheless we drained the oil, put a WIX 51042 on and 6 quarts of SL rated Pennzoil HD-30. Reset the OLM, degreased the area and took the truck for a nice, long drive. The area was bone dry.

What could cause an oil filter to leak like that? Faulty filter?

More likely it was not tightened OR the previous gasket stuck to the adapter. 2 gaskets are not better than one and a prime source of leaks.

 

[bigjl]

Probably a poorly fitted filter or the seal may have been damaged.

Though I have seen filters damaged by stones that then start to leak.

 

[trx250x92]

x2 on checking the filter gasket. It is easy sometimes for the previous filter's gasket to stick to the mounting plate and not be seen, especially if the filter is in a tight area not easily seen.

 

[bigjl]

I must Dmit I have never heard of anybody leaving the old gasket on there when putting on the new filter.

It must take a special mind of person not to notice the one coming off has not got the seal/gasket on there.

Even if the filter is in a really awkward place you still have the old filter in your hand.

 

[SIXSPEED]

Originally Posted By: bigjl
I must Dmit I have never heard of anybody leaving the old gasket on there when putting on the new filter.
It happens more often than you would think.

 

[SIXSPEED]

Originally Posted By: Falcon_LS
What could cause an oil filter to leak like that? Faulty filter?

Could be a defective gasket or the filter was installed too loose or too tight. Stacked gaskets would cause a severe leak.

 

[zzyzzx]

Originally Posted By: bigjl
I must Dmit I have never heard of anybody leaving the old gasket on there when putting on the new filter.


It's not a matter of leaving the old gasket on! It'a a matter of removing the old filter and not noticing that the old gasket has stayed on the car (instead of on the filter) and then blindly installing the new filter with it's new gasket, hence 2 gaskets.

 

[TFB1]

Originally Posted By: SIXSPEED
Originally Posted By: bigjl
I must Dmit I have never heard of anybody leaving the old gasket on there when putting on the new filter.
It happens more often than you would think.

Usually because it wasn't lubricated when installed and probably overtightened...

 

[bigjl]

Originally Posted By: zzyzzx
Originally Posted By: bigjl
I must Dmit I have never heard of anybody leaving the old gasket on there when putting on the new filter.


It's not a matter of leaving the old gasket on! It'a a matter of removing the old filter and not noticing that the old gasket has stayed on the car (instead of on the filter) and then blindly installing the new filter with it's new gasket, hence 2 gaskets.


That is exactly what I said.

Thanks to not noticing my iPhones auto correction it might not have been clear.

It takes a special kind of peron not to notice that the gasket/seal is not present on the old filter when it is in your hand.

This may be common in the US but I have never seen or heard of any occasions when this has ever happened.

 

[mattd]

make sure threaded adapter is tightened properly. it will leak if a little loose. check with torque wrench.