Small oil Leak after oil change

Has this happened to you? I changed the oil, went on a long off-road trail, got home and noticed a small leak coming from what looks like the filter housing. When I changed the oil I had to use the impact wrench on the filter housing because it was too tight. Do you think it cracked it? Although it looked fine. Also I didn’t change the small rubber o ring on drain plug (bottom of housing). Do you think it was the small o ring? Thoughts??

 

Imho, two things. If you disturbed the filter drain, then I would have replaced the associated o- ring.

Second, your right, the o-ring friction can make the filter housing removal difficult, but I would not use an impact tool, especially on a plastic part. I usually use a 1/2” drive break over bar and gently apply a smooth firm torque.

 

From the photo it looks like the plastic body up to the engine metal is clean and dry. But the lower lip by the drain plug is all oily. Is that true?

Did you remove the drain plug, drain the oil, then reuse the old drain gasket?

If so, the drain plug gasket could be damaged. I’d remove the drain plug and put it a new gasket. Clean it all up with solvent and monitor it for a few days for any more leaks. If you’re concerned about a cracked plastic housing you might consider getting a metal housing.

 

Yeah, thats what I saw too. The top is dry, just the drain plug is oily. I did not use the drain plug to let the oil out though. I don't know if the impact drill I used to open it did something to the drain plug area. I am going to open/replace the drain plug o-ring, clean and monitor, like you said. If I keep getting drips I will invest into a metal housing. I'd hate to replace now as I just spent $50 in new oil. Can I collect oil and re-use it, if I decide to get the metal housing?

 

I’m not positive but I don’t think you will lose a significant amount of oil by just replacing the oil filter housing. Maybe lose about a quart.

I typically use isopropyl alcohol and paper towels to clean up an area after maintenance. Alcohol evaporates without residue and doesn’t attack painted surfaces.

 

I just opened the drain plug area and there was some oil in there. Once it drained, no more seemed to be leaking from it. I think maybe the rattling of the impact drill, when I opened it the first time, leaked some oil into the drain area and then slowly started leaking out. I cleaned it, added the new o-ring and now monitoring it. No more impact drill in this housing though. Will use breaker bar instead. Lesson learned. Will keep you posted on this issue. If I stop posting, means it stopped leaking. Thanks for the input everyone! That's why I love this blog!!

 

One more thing, don’t necessarily go by that metal clip pointer thingy. Torque the housing to 18 ft-lbs then the filter drain plug to 10 ft-lbs.

 

I have never torqued mine. The o-ring seals the housing. It shouldn't require anything beyond being snug. It seems silly that there is even a torque spec for it.

 

Yeah, once you get the hang of a properly snugged oil filter your hand is sort of “calibrated”.
And if you use the metal housing it bottoms out completely and there’s no more room to twist or torque it, it’s sealed in place by the gasket.

 

Update: I turned the truck on and it kept dripping. Looks like it’s coming from the housing, where the little metal clip is……ughhh.. cracked housing? Should I get a metal one?

 

You should never need an impact on the cover. What are you using to loosen it?

 

Bummer, but at least you caught it before a road trip. On this forum there are two camps regarding metal vs plastic filter housing.

My observations have been that as long as plastic housing is not abused, it will be fine.

My 2012 Sequoia with 160k
miles has the original plastic filter housing and has had no issues. And that’s with the dealership doing the oil changes.

 

Just ordered a new plastic housing. I need it before the weekend as I am going on a trip!

 

I had a hairline crack in mine that leaked like that. Just swapped to the OEM metal one.

 

Really? Do you know how it cracked? I think I cracked my using an impact. Should of known better....I ordered a new plastic one. Hopefully it stops the drip.

 

I’m surprised you bought another plastic one, unless it’s because you couldn’t get a metal one in time for your trip?

 

Thats exactly right. The metal one does not get here on time.

 

Dealership overtightened on the prior oil change when I had bought the truck. It cracked at the ear when loosening using a longish ratchet and a regular toyota oil change tool. I've never had issues with the metal ones on our Lexus, so I went that route.

 

As long as you treat the plastic one properly it will serve you well. Don’t overtighten it and only use hand tools to loosen it. Do it yourself. Get the proper oil filter wrench, like this:

Motivx Tools Oil Filter Wrench for Toyota Camry, Tundra, Tacoma, 4Runner, RAV4 and More - 64mm 14 Flute Precision CNC Machined Aluminum Oil Filter Removal Tool

$30 Motivx Tools Oil Filter Wrench for Toyota Camry, Tundra, Tacoma, 4Runner, RAV4 and More - 64mm 14 Flute Precision CNC Machined Aluminum Oil Filter Removal Tool

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00XTAGHU0?_encoding=UTF8

 

Update: I just received the new oil filter housing. Because I had just changed the oil, how much oil will I use if I replace the housing without draining the existing new oil? Someone said only about a quart, but want to know if others have experience with this.

 

Look in the manual. It should have oil capacity with filter change and without. It's probably 1/2 quart.

 

Another option is to install the new filter assembly, run the engine for a bit, then check the level and add as needed.

If the oil level was full, losing a quart or so shouldn’t damage the engine. This is just my opinion.

 

If I was adding a new housing I’d add a new o ring too

 

Yes, I believe when you purchase a new plastic housing at the dealership, it includes a new filter and O-rings. At least that’s how my dealership does it when I inquired.