slow drip around oil filter 2002 XLT v8

[LMHmedchem]

Hello,

As stated, I have noticed a slow drip at the oil filter. Several times when I have been under the truck, I have noticed a drop of oil hanging off of the filter. There is a bit on the driveway as well. I use a socket style oil filter wrench and I have always had trouble getting the socket, extension, and wrench to line up well. The extension never seems to be the right length. I found a socket wrench with a hinged head helps some. This is just to say that I figured I just didn't get it tight enough. I tightened it some more, but the problem is still there so I am thinking more along the lines of a bad gasket or something like that.

I have ~140,000 on it now. Is this a common issue? Are there suggestions about what to do to fix it? Do I just need a better wrench?

Thanks,

LMHmedchem

 

[fordysenior]

I had the same problem -- of course, whenever replacing the oil filter, always make sure the old gasket comes off. The oil filter mount has a gasket behind it that is known to leak. Remove the filter, remove the lower radiator hose, which means draining the coolant, and there are three or four bolts to attach the housing -- the gasket behind the housing is a thick gasket and not that difficult to get to and replace. Dance around on this site and you'll find other posts on it, maybe some pictures also.

Old school teaching said to tighten oil filter hand tight only -- with it being difficult to get the hands on the filter with any strength, I use the wrench to tighten it a little extra.

You can probably find a youtube video showing what is happening, but here is one link I found with a google search: http://ww2.justanswer.com/uploads/BAMAMAN39/2010-05-12_170253_oil_filter.pdf

EDIT: OLD school also says apply a coat of oil to new oil filter gasket before installing it.

 

[swshawaii]

Oil Filter Adapter Housing Gasket (See diagram in post #8 )

https://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=362855

 

[ScaryWoody]

I had that issue with my wife's mercury. On inspection of the filter (Fram) the gasket was poorly seated. I replaced it with a better grade filter and not an issue.

 

[LMHmedchem]

I had that issue with my wife's mercury. On inspection of the filter (Fram) the gasket was poorly seated. I replaced it with a better grade filter and not an issue.

I always use Mobile 1 oil filters, but I will be switching to Motocraft for my next one. Just because I use a quality filter doesn't meant that the particular one I put on isn't defective, there is just a better chance that it's not.

This happened before when I used a K&N filter but I thought the issue was just that I couldn't get any purchase on that stupid nut on the top of the filter. Who makes a filter with a nut that has a rounded base that won't hold the socket? I guess they don't want you to over tighten. I presumed that the drip was just because I couldn't get the filter tight.

The next change, I will inspect both gaskets to make sure there is nothing obviously wrong. Is there any way to replace the Oil Filter Adapter Housing Gasket without draining the radiator? Of course, I just had my coolant flushed and replaced.

I don't see any diagram in post #8 of this thread,
https://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=362855

Am I missing something?

It looks like you have to replace the entire housing and can't just replace the gasket. Do I have that correct?

LMHmedchem

 

[fordysenior]

The diagram you can't call up is the same one in my link. You can buy the gasket as a separate piece, so you do not have to replace the entire housing.

That housing has passageways for coolant and oil. You have to remove the lower radiator hose -- and when you remove the housing, you don't want oil or coolant to flow out because one might contaminate the other. Drain the oil too. Drain the coolant, pour it into a clean 5 gallon bucket and reuse it. And if you haven't replaced the hose, it's a good time to do that.