Oil Change Question: Film Around Filter Housing Seal

Noticed a slight film (not a leak, not quite seepage) around the filter housing seal after oil change/circulating oil through running engine. Cleaned area. Ran engine again. Same film around filter housing seal. I am sure that the large o-ring is in the correct position on the filter housing. Only detectable if you run your finger around the seem between the filter housing and engine.

I can tell this is not a new phenomenon because I can see a little engine oil discoloration on the casting where the oil filter mates to the engine. I am not too concerned because this has to have been an issue for at least the last 7,000 mi. and I saw no measurable fluid loss at the dipstick. Doesn't seem normal, though. What's y'alls experience? Have you noticed this? I am at 47, 445 mi. How concerned would you be? Doesn't seem unreasonable to expect it to be bone dry, but maybe it's always been this way and I didn't notice? I always check for leaks, but don't think I ever ran my finger around the seam before.

I didn't wipe down the interior of the engine casting. Could it be from that?

 

Mine never does and doesnt have any sign of any oil on the outside and there shouldn’t be. It means something isn’t properly sealing or something is broken. Might be worth to check the threads.

 

Thank you.
Yes. Agreed.
It's not right.

 

Although I didn't see anything wrong with the filter housing: It must be the culprit!
Dealership did the last change...I know....shouldn't have let them, but I had a legit spinal issue that prevented me from doing it myself. The drain cap was way over torqued. I had to use vise grips on the filter housing tool to keep it from spinning while I loosened the drain cap. They probably used the impact on the drain cap and cracked the housing. At least, that's my theory. Looks like filter housing replacement is in order.

 

I’d replace the filter housing as a precaution.

 

Thank you. 100% agreed. Took me a while to get to acceptance on that, but it's the right thing to do.

 

Took it to the dealer. They couldn't find any cracks in the housing. The tech commented that the housing didn't take much effort to unscrew. Maybe I didn't tighten it enough? Never used the torque wrench on it. Just hand tight until the housing tab was back in alignment with the metal ridge on the casting. Does torquing to spec take it another full turn?

 

I don't think hand tight is enough.

I use a wrench and tighten it more when I do mine.

 

Forget about that metal tang, rip it off.
If you’re going to be a DIY wrencher get yourself a good torque wrench.
The plastic oil filter cap is imprinted with the correct torque value: 25 N-m, (i.e., 18 ft-lb).
And the filter drain is 9 ft-lb.

 

Ahh I never use a torque wrench.

Good and tight usually works.

 

Thanks for the torque values.

 

Yeah, I dont really have enough hand strength to turn through all those rotations once the oring engages the barrel. Once the filter housing is screwed home, it takes maybe 1/10 of a turn or less to bring to proper torque if I recall correctly…so definitely tighter than hand tight.

When I did my oil change last week, I experienced my first “stuck filter housing situation”. And I am always careful to not overtighten. Thankfully, my filter wrench has very good engagement on the bottom, and on the tabs. I had to use the 27mm socket and a 1/2 in breaker bar to get it off. I was literally flexing the engine in the mounts before is loosened. It stayed pretty tight all the way out until the oring cleared. I figured the oring got out of place, but it was where it was supposed to be and undamaged. I think it may have been because I usually wipe down the inside of the barrel. I put a little oil on the o-ring, but maybe that wasnt enough.