Oil filter housing leak after replacing gasket

[Riba]

Hello all,

I need some feedback here.

Few months ago I was replacing transmission cooling lines and alternator and thought I might as well replace the oil filter housing gasket since I am already there. There was a very small leak.

I removed the housing, stripping the top right thread in the process (which seems to be quite common according to info in the forum). I used the stud instead of the bold to fix that problem. At the time i cleaned the mating areas, put the new gasket in and carefully put the housing back in its place. I tried to use the torque wrench on the bolts, but it was almost impossible. I probably needed extensions of different length that I didn't have. I was probably conservative with the torque so I don't mess up the threads.

For a few months everything was seemingly fine, but few weeks ago i noticed oil stains underneath the car. Checked the oil level and it was low alright. Monitored the oil level for a while and it appears to be leaking quite a bit. Today I dove in and it is definitely oil filter housing that is leaking.

Now....should I try to carefully tighten up the oil filter housing bolts a bit and see if it helps or is it too late for that and I need to redo it all over again? How the hell do you get the torque wrench in?

Tnx!