Hand tight plus a little extra using some old oil on the seal to help it out.
Oil Filter's Leaking, Not tightened enough?
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 479
Likes: 2
From: Hollywood Maryland
Oil Filter's Leaking, Not tightened enough?
Changed oil yesterday and noticed a coating of oil on the outside of the NAPA Gold filter and oil spray on the oil pan itself. Looks like the filter is leaking at the seal. I hand tighten the filter, then tighten (with an oil filter wrench) 1/4 to 1/3 turn afterwards. Been doing this for 30 years on cars and never had one leak. Am I doing something wrong? Is there a torque spec for C5 oil filters? Is the tightening process different? It baffles me. Any suggestions would be appreciated. I don't want to overtighten the filter on one hand, but on the other hand I don't want an oil leak under the car.
Last edited by HollywoodFRC; Mar 12, 2007 at 12:40 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 23,480
Likes: 9
From: East Meadow NY
St. Jude Donor '12
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 8,847
Likes: 793
From: Longview Texas
If you cannot tighten the filter a little more by hand when the engine is cold, I would remove the filter and check the gasket. If everything looks alright, I would probably just install a new filter. If you find the gasket is damaged, then get the parts store to replace it.
I assume you put a film of oil on the filter gasket before you installed it?
I assume you put a film of oil on the filter gasket before you installed it?
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Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 479
Likes: 2
From: Hollywood Maryland
Now I understand
1) yes I pre lubricated the filter
2) yes, I made sure the old seal came off with the old filter
3) It's already a new filter
4) Now I know why it leaks, need to torque it down, the old hand tighten then a 1/4 turn shade tree mechanic's way doesn't work in this case. Need to torque it to 22 ft lbs
5) Never owned a car with an oil filter torque spec
Thanks for the torque spec!
************************************
Bulletin - I picked up about 8 -14 PSI in oil pressure. I normally would register about 40-42 PSI oil pressure before I tightened the filter to spec. I'd max out about 62 PSi on hard acceleration. Since I torqued the filter to spec, normal PSI jumped to 48 - 50 and max jumped to around 80 PSI on WOT. Makes a diffference
2) yes, I made sure the old seal came off with the old filter
3) It's already a new filter
4) Now I know why it leaks, need to torque it down, the old hand tighten then a 1/4 turn shade tree mechanic's way doesn't work in this case. Need to torque it to 22 ft lbs
5) Never owned a car with an oil filter torque spec
Thanks for the torque spec!
************************************
Bulletin - I picked up about 8 -14 PSI in oil pressure. I normally would register about 40-42 PSI oil pressure before I tightened the filter to spec. I'd max out about 62 PSi on hard acceleration. Since I torqued the filter to spec, normal PSI jumped to 48 - 50 and max jumped to around 80 PSI on WOT. Makes a diffference
Last edited by HollywoodFRC; Mar 13, 2007 at 05:29 PM. Reason: Follow up observation
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 6,937
Likes: 21
From: Waldorf MD
1) yes I pre lubricated the filter
2) yes, I made sure the old seal came off with the old filter
3) It's already a new filter
4) Now I know why it leaks, need to torque it down, the old hand tighten then a 1/4 turn shade tree mechanic's way doesn't work in this case. Need to torque it to 22 ft lbs
5) Never owned a car with an oil filter torque spec
Thanks for the torque spec!
************************************
Bulletin - I picked up about 8 -14 PSI in oil pressure. I normally would register about 40-42 PSI oil pressure before I tightened the filter to spec. I'd max out about 62 PSi on hard acceleration. Since I torqued the filter to spec, normal PSI jumped to 48 - 50 and max jumped to around 80 PSI on WOT. Makes a diffference
2) yes, I made sure the old seal came off with the old filter
3) It's already a new filter
4) Now I know why it leaks, need to torque it down, the old hand tighten then a 1/4 turn shade tree mechanic's way doesn't work in this case. Need to torque it to 22 ft lbs
5) Never owned a car with an oil filter torque spec
Thanks for the torque spec!
************************************
Bulletin - I picked up about 8 -14 PSI in oil pressure. I normally would register about 40-42 PSI oil pressure before I tightened the filter to spec. I'd max out about 62 PSi on hard acceleration. Since I torqued the filter to spec, normal PSI jumped to 48 - 50 and max jumped to around 80 PSI on WOT. Makes a diffference
I always did contact then 3/4 to 1 full turn, oil filters tell you this too. I do use 22 ft-lbs on my C5.
Last edited by Oldvetter; Mar 15, 2007 at 06:28 AM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 2,332
Likes: 31
From: Silver Spring MD
filter leaking
I ALWAYS tighten all oil filters 3/4 to 1 full turn AFTER they first contact the gasket. Pre oil the gasket with a finger dipped in the new oil and tighten as above. Once oiled my then gfs driveway with my old chevy which I only tightened about 1/3 turn past contact. Tighter is BETTER!
BIGHANK
BIGHANK
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 2,572
Likes: 3
From: Rehoboth MA . . . NRA Life Member
St. Jude Donor '06-'07
You need to be certain there was no leaks prior to your discovery.
- Get the car up in the air.
- Remove the new filter.
- Using a good light inspect the filter flange or gasket surface to be certain there is no damage.
- Look for other possible leaks in the area
- Fill new filter with oil
- Lubricate new filter seal.
- Tighten by hand then an additional 1/3 turn with suitable wrench.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 479
Likes: 2
From: Hollywood Maryland
I was blind ,now I can see
Got my copy of the 1999 3 volume service manual and yep, there's actually a torque spec on the filter - 22 ft lbs. The days of hand tight and a little more twist is old news. These manuals are the best investment you can make if you plan on maintaining your C5. Learn something every day.
Thanks for all the information and advice.
Thanks for all the information and advice.
