Oil filter housing leak after replacing gasket

Riba · #1 12-23-2016, 08:42 AM

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!

StephenVA · #2 12-23-2016, 02:25 PM

The issue with this housing is torquing down evenly and correctly. If you have an early housing you could have the Freeze Type plugs leaking. See links on the e39 site for details.

As you aware DIY happiness is at times having the right tools for the right job. Buy the extensions, own a 3/8 drive torque wrench and it really is not too bad. I have done this's task now 3x in the past year.

upallnight · #3 12-30-2016, 09:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by StephenVA

The issue with this housing is torquing down evenly and correctly. If you have an early housing you could have the Freeze Type plugs leaking. See links on the e39 site for details.

As you aware DIY happiness is at times having the right tools for the right job. Buy the extensions, own a 3/8 drive torque wrench and it really is not too bad. I have done this's task now 3x in the past year.

Hopefully, it was three different cars and not the same car three times.

StephenVA · #4 12-30-2016, 10:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by upallnight

Hopefully, it was three different cars and not the same car three times.

Twice on the same car as the oil pump spring "freeze" plugs started to leak right after re-installation. Painful. Old style castings had one time push in plugs as opposed threaded plugs. Real thin metal that gets pin hole leaks in the creases as far as I can tell. Oh well, somethings are over built, while others items not so much.

Reminds me of a Chrysler racing program with Dan Gurney back in 1970 where everyone was building the best engineered, bullet proof, and unbreakable component possible. When the drive train was assembled it weighed way too much, so they acid dipped the car body to lighten it until all the structure rigidity was compromised and then they chased all those problems throughout the season.....

Riba · #5 12-24-2016, 01:03 AM

Thanks for the encouraging words. I did torque them down in cross pattern, I guess I just need to do it making sure the torque is correct. Plugs are not leaking, at least they weren't while I had the housing out.

Riba · #6 12-30-2016, 07:30 AM

Well, took it off today and sad to say that it seems I am dealing with pil pan gasket leak this time around.

iansanderson · #7 12-30-2016, 12:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Riba

Well, took it off today and sad to say that it seems I am dealing with pil pan gasket leak this time around.

Sorry to hear that. Oil pan gasket is a big job.

FWIW, I have seen an oil filter housing continue to leak due to very slight warping on an M52TU. Had to replace it.

Riba · #8 12-30-2016, 12:29 PM

Nah, judging by the looks of it after the removal of housing I think I have done a good job the first time around... The leak is quite substantial and the area under the housing was too clean to be the culprit. Oh well, after I do the oil pan I have done just about every single repair thet is to be expected at this mileage.

Good thing is that here the labor is quite cheap and the only challenge is to find someone who will not screw something up while doing the job. Already found a shop who is willing to do it and will drop off the car tomorrow.

richardb · #9 12-30-2016, 01:35 PM

Sorry to hear that, it is quite the job! Here's my DIY guide for the OFHG: