Oil change - rookie mistake or just a fluke - 986 Forum - The Community for Porsche Boxster & Cayman Owners

urban_legend · 04-11-2009, 06:59 PM

First oil change on my Boxster - followed procedure and all went well. Tightened the filter housing and plug with a torque wrench. No problem all seemed tight and no leaks.

BUT after idleling and a short 2 mile spin I am dripping oil - looks like it is coming from the filter housing. Filter is tight, oil ring is on. WTH?

Should I tighten more (it was very tight - probably over torqued when I took it off). Take it off and start over. I am in a quandry on this one. Maybe someone else had the same problem.

941MXVET · 04-11-2009, 07:02 PM

Simple question, is the drip oil from the change? or is it fresh oil coming from you filter housing?

blinkwatt · 04-11-2009, 07:04 PM

Did you dab the filter ring with oil before putting it on and then make sure it was properly thread onto the filter housing attachment area?

Jaxonalden · 04-11-2009, 07:15 PM

You can remove the housing without fear of an oil bath. The filter cartridge will stay on the "nipple", you'll probably need to put a pan under it. Check your O ring, take a look at the housing "seat" on the engine. Wipe everything off and reinstall. I crank my housing down pretty good.

urban_legend · 04-11-2009, 07:19 PM

It is fresh oil - old stuff was pretty bad. I put oil on the o-ring.
I put it on the last groove before the top of the filter housing. I looked at Pedros Garage photos and can't really tell - should it be on the next to last groove.

Only thing I can think of is something is not quite right with the o-ring. Seal is ok until the engine is running.

941MXVET · 04-11-2009, 07:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by urban_legend

It is fresh oil - old stuff was pretty bad. I put oil on the o-ring.
I put it on the last groove before the top of the filter housing. I looked at Pedros Garage photos and can't really tell - should it be on the next to last groove.

Only thing I can think of is something is not quite right with the o-ring. Seal is ok until the engine is running.

Did you mean last groove at the bottom? Closest to the ground when installed? or the top, closest to the engine when installed?

Lil bastard · 04-11-2009, 08:31 PM

O ring s/b on the bottom, lowest groove. As you said, simple mistake. Catch the oil in a clean pan and reuse it.

eightsandaces · 04-12-2009, 04:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lil bastard

O ring s/b on the bottom, lowest groove. As you said, simple mistake. Catch the oil in a clean pan and reuse it.

That unit is particularly sensitive to the dreaded cross threading, starting the threads perfectly is critical.

releese78 · 04-14-2009, 07:59 PM

Ditto about "lubricating" the new o-ring before screwing the filter housing on. If it is not lubed, it will bind-up while you're tightening it causing the ring to stretch and possibly break.

jmatta · 04-15-2009, 05:46 AM

I'm looking forward to eliminating the OEM filter and housing. I have my LN billet adapter, Mobil 1 high performance can filter and a case of Royal Purple 5W40 waiting to go.

urban_legend · 04-17-2009, 07:16 PM

I had the o-ring next to the flange - moved it up one groove and screwed it back in - and no more leak. Lost maybe 1/2 qt taking off the oil filter. Not nearly as bad as I thought.

As often is the case - the first time was for practice.