Oil Leak After Filter Change

[Johnshan]

I have a 2000 GMC Sierra with the 5.3L engine, I changed my oil yesterday and drove to work, when I got there my "Check engine oil level" light came on. I checked it, and saw nothing on the dip stick.

 

Come to find out, it had been coming out of the new oil filter where the o ring meets the "block".

 

I figured it was a bad filter, so I changed the oil yet again, and installed a different brand of oil filter even, got to work today, same deal again, oil gone.

 

It is leaking where the spin on oil filter o ring meet the engine. I examined the area and came up with nothing.

 

I have all 3 previous oil filters and all of them have the o rings still attached, and there are no other o rings left behind for that matter.

 

The filters are tight as well, I have done oil changes for years and never seen this, nor has my neighbor with the same truck.

 

Any ideas? Thanks guys.

[Johnshan]

By the way, I used an AC Delco filter and a Purolator filter, they ARE the correct filters also.

[Gray Ghost]

I can't help you there... Never had that happen ever...Im thinking of going with K/N on my first oil change due to the ease of using a wrench and removing filter....

[ZZ327]

are you oiling up the O ring before tightening the filer back on?

[bossier62guy]

I have a 2000 GMC Sierra with the 5.3L engine, I changed my oil yesterday and drove to work, when I got there my "Check engine oil level" light came on. I checked it, and saw nothing on the dip stick.

 

Come to find out, it had been coming out of the new oil filter where the o ring meets the "block".

 

I figured it was a bad filter, so I changed the oil yet again, and installed a different brand of oil filter even, got to work today, same deal again, oil gone.

 

It is leaking where the spin on oil filter o ring meet the engine. I examined the area and came up with nothing.

 

I have all 3 previous oil filters and all of them have the o rings still attached, and there are no other o rings left behind for that matter.

 

The filters are tight as well, I have done oil changes for years and never seen this, nor has my neighbor with the same truck.

 

Any ideas? Thanks guys.

 

I'm assuming you don't have the original filter o-ring still clinging to the block.....that could cause a mess.....other than that I can't see how you'd be having such a problem.

[Johnshan]

Def no old o ring left behind. I am oiling the o ring up on the filter before I put it on.

 

Would over tightening a filter cause this issue? I just dont get it, been doing this for years.

[slimjim2525]

This is odd, there are no defects on the block? It sounds like a sharp edge on the block is tearing the filters o-ring.

[Johnshan]

This is odd, there are no defects on the block? It sounds like a sharp edge on the block is tearing the filters o-ring.

 

 

Not sure what happened, but I ended up getting a NAPA filter, and put it on "loosely" as in, not cranking it on like I always do, and it doesnt seem to be leaking now. I do not know if thats the reason why or not, never heard of a filter that was too tight leaking.

[SoCalChris]

I've always heard that a too tight filter can leak, but have never seen it happen. Oil filters should only be finger tight, don't crank it on with a wrench.

[Jje121]

I've always heard that a too tight filter can leak, but have never seen it happen. Oil filters should only be finger tight, don't crank it on with a wrench.

+1 I always go hand tight, and I have never had a problem.

 

<----------------------- "knocks on wood!"

[Johnshan]

Thats the thing, it was only hand tight. I guess I dont know my own strength.

[Mikeee]

3/4 to 4/4 turn after gasket contact.

Never leaked for me.

 

I wiggle the filter as I screw it on so I can tell almost exactly when there is contact.

[landryd]

Exactly what he ^ said.

[jhm]

Thats the thing, it was only hand tight. I guess I dont know my own strength.

Time to knock off the steroids.

[the hammer]

If the mounting surface is clean and flat, and you are installing the filter correclty, I would check the oil pressure guage while you drive it. Maybe there is a flow problem somewhere and the pressure is getting really high and forcing oil out of the seal.

 

Otherwise, you ought to make sure the oil isnt coming elsewhere around the filter area. I know you have looked but it never hurts to go again. I have been duped before on simple issues like this one, and the problem wasn't even what I was looking at for days on end. Check everything over above and around that area and definitely check the ground to see if you have wet spots.

 

I hope you find out what it is, this kind of a leakis well, not so good.