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how to repair cracked oil filter housing

by Prof. Kenyon Herman IV Published 2 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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The housing is held in place by the threaded bolt assy that the filter screws onto. You will need to remove that bolt, remove the coolant hoses. Clean the engine block surfaces, for the new gasket to mate to, clean the cooling housing surfaces, install the bolt through the housing, and install the gasket onto it.

Full Answer

Why does my oil filter have a crack on it?

The plastic filter holder gets brittle and cracks easily. Most shops keep them on hand in case this happens during an oil change. If the aluminum housing is cracked, It’s possible that could happen during a service operation.

Do I need to replace my oil filter housing?

As you drive your car normally, the oil filter housing itself should never need to be replaced. However, you might find that it develops a leak from the gaskets or it may develop a crack in the oil filter housing itself, which will require replacement.

Can a loose oil filter cause a leak?

If the oil filter is installed too loosely, it can vibrate loose and allow oil to leak out. If it’s installed too tightly, the gasket could be damaged, leading to a leak. Leaks can also occur during an oil change if the gasket from the old filter sticks to the housing.

Can a cracked oil filter housing develop into an oil cooler?

If the aluminum housing is cracked, It’s possible that could happen during a service operation. If your car uses the oil cooler that is attached to the filter housing, a crack could indeed develop it the bolts are installed incorrectly. It would be difficult to prove, however.

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How much does it cost to replace the oil filter housing?

Running your engine with a leaking oil filter can result in extensive engine damage, so it's important to have your oil filter housing replaced as soon as possible when it is damaged. The average cost to replace the oil filter housing is $150 to $700 depending on the make and model of your vehicle.

What causes oil filter housing to crack?

Any type of damage to the oil filter housing unit will most likely result in cracking or warping of the unit, which will allow oil to leak from the system. In general, this is caused by one of 2 things: simple age/wear and tear or the over-torquing of the housing.

How long does oil filter housing last?

5000- 7000 milesSince oil filters are used continuously, they go up to 5000- 7000 miles only. This is why they are set in such that they are easy to access and can be replaced on the go. All that is thanks to Oil Filter Housing.

What is a oil filter housing seal?

If there's one oil leak on these engines that is critical to address, it's the oil filter housing gasket. This rubber gasket seals the oil filter housing to the cylinder head and is one of the most common sources of oil leaks on most BMW engines where the oil filter housing bolts to the engine block or cylinder head.

What happens if you double gasket an oil filter?

If a new filter is installed on top of an old seal, a “double gasket” situation occurs and oil security is 100% compromised. The oil will either completely blow out as soon as the engine starts (huge mess!) or even worse, will NOT blow out until the car gets down the road a few miles.

What happens if you over tighten an oil filter?

Over tightening the oil filter can either strip the threading, or break the O-ring. If the O-ring is broken, this can cause the filter not to have a proper seal; and cause oil to eventually leak.

Can coolant leak from oil filter housing?

A coolant leak may develop after oil filter replacement. The coolant o-ring seal can be damaged if the oil filter housing turns when removing or installing the oil filter. The recommended procedure is to hold the filter housing when tightening or loosening the oil filter.

Is oil filter housing part of engine?

What is an oil filter housing? Found in almost all engines, the oil filter housing secures the oil filter into place. It is important in helping keep clean oil circulating around your engine.

How do I fix a leaking oil filter?

0:422:01Why Is My New Oil Filter Leaking - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThrough it all up make sure it's nice and dry. And then grab the new oil filter and just put some aMoreThrough it all up make sure it's nice and dry. And then grab the new oil filter and just put some a little bit of oil on the seal. So it doesn't stick or helps to prevent it from.

Why does my car leak oil when parked?

Car Leaking Oil When Parked after an Oil Change It could be that the oil filter might not have been properly put back in place, or it may be damaged. Another possibility is a loose or broken oil filler cap. Also, the drain plugs or gaskets might have been left loose or over-tightened.

Should you put oil on the oil filter gasket?

In fact, pre-filling the filter can get pretty messy and probably isn't worth the hassle in the long run. Instead of pre-filling the filter, we recommend first applying a little motor oil to the gasket and then replacing the filter. The motor oil will prevent the gasket from sticking or causing an oil leak.

What happens if my oil filter is leaking?

The most common oil leak cause is the “double gasket”—the old filter gasket sticks to the engine and goes unnoticed when a new filter's put in place. When two gaskets are accidentally placed together, it will lead to a messy blowout, which can be dangerous if it happens when you're driving.

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If the crack in the housing is in the plastic part, that can be written off to normal wear and tear. The plastic filter holder gets brittle and cracks easily. Most shops keep them on hand in case this happens during an oil change. If the aluminum housing is cracked, It’s possible that could happen during a service operation.

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Where is the oil filter housing located?

The oil filter housing on most cars is located in a spot that’s easily accessible for oil and filter changes , typically either on the top of the engine near the front or on the side of the engine with the filter accessible from the bottom.

How much does it cost to replace an oil filter?

The average cost to replace the oil filter housing is $171 to $655 depending on the make and model, and a few cars may be higher than that.

How does oil keep your engine clean?

Your engine oil is kept clean by passing through your oil filter as it circulates through your engine. Between your engine and the oil filter is a mount known as the oil filter housing. As you drive your car normally, the oil filter housing itself should never need to be replaced.

Can an oil filter gasket cause a leak?

In most instances, the oil filter gasket is the cause of the engine oil leak, not the oil filter housing itself. The engine oil and filter should be changed at the same time as the oil filter housing or gasket.

Why does my oil filter crack?

The Factors that Result in Cracks. Any type of damage to the oil filter housing unit will most likely result in cracking or warping of the unit, which will allow oil to leak from the system. In general, this is caused by one of 2 things: simple age/wear and tear or the over-torquing of the housing.

What is the oil filter housing unit on a BMW?

More often than not, the oil filter housing unit is a piece of cast aluminum, with only vintage models possessing a unit made from cast iron. The oil filter housing unit is also connected to the engine by a gasket.

Can you replace an oil filter housing?

Replacing your oil filter housing unit can be an expensive job depending on the model of BMW you drive. Because this is a hefty investment, it is best to try to prevent cracks to the unit where possible. You can help prevent the risk of damage being caused by poor workmanship by only bringing your car to a BMW or European imported car expert.

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