Oil Leak

[allterrain08]

Well it"s been about 3000km since my last oil change and I noticed today a little oil stain in the drive way. I got out looked underneath and noticed it's leaking from the filter. I don't have a strap wrench and i have to go to work in about 20 min. so i don't have time to go get one. I'm hopeing that it is only a loose filter but the part about it being 3000km since the oil change scares me. Anyway has this happened to anybody else (I'm sure it has) some feedback would be greatly apreciated, either way it's straight to Canadian Tire for a strap wrench in the morning. Thanks! (08 Sierra 5.3L)

[jrrod2004]

uh yea, I would be a little worried since there is leaking oil. One of three possible scenarios: Defective, Not Sealed Properly when Oil Change Occured or Filter Sucks!!!

 

 

(I think that it is not tight enough)

[lowrider]

You're probably OK. Just look at the Dipstick. If it's not low. You're fine. BTW, I'm old school, and when I change oil, I still wipe Vaseline around the filter gasket, not a film of motor oil.

 

Lou

[Tucson_02Silverado]

+1 filter wasn't put on right. Both surfaces should be clean and a light film of oil placed on the filter gasket. For tightening, a general guideline is similar to spark plugs if you don't have the torque specs, hand snug then a quarter turn tight from there.

 

Even with a small filter and no strap wrench, you should be able to get it fairly tight by hand. Clean the filter housing off then final wipe with windex or the like and with similarily clean hands, tighten. If you have an old bicycle tube, cut a large section out of it and use it on the filter for anti-slip for hand tightening (cleaned of the Slime stuff of course).