Oil change = BIG oil leak?

[Zee]

At 72,000 miles, I changed oil and filter on my '96 Avalon (1MZ-FE)

Somehow I caused a big oil leak under the oil filter. It is streaming down the front of the oil pan in 2-3 rivulets -- and this is even without oil pressure of a running engine.

I tried two different brands of oil filters, tighten 'em up to to one full turn past initial bottom feel (according to the Bosch filter). I am fairly certain it is not coming from the filter, hovever. Or, it is just so hidden, I can't see it.

I was careful to have cleaned the mating surfaces.

It looks like it seeps out from the four-bolt bracket of the motor mount. Does this make any sense? Is there some sort of gasket under this bracket I may have disturbed?

[TRDragoon]

sorry, i do not know the four bolt bracket you are talking about but the most common problem with oil changing is that when you take off the old oil filter, the oil filter seal stays on the block (due to not putting thin layer of oil when installing). when ever you take out the oil filter, make sure the seal comes out too....you dun want 2 seals on it, it will not seal properly.

make sure, you coat the oil filter seal with oil b4 you put it in...it helps seal properly

[Zee]

Those aren't the problem(s). Thanks.

[Nick]

did you switch to full synthetic oil?

[Flashmn]

Maybe you should try an OEM filter and put some oil on the O-ring for better sealing.

[wunderboy]

maybe if you posted a pic, we could better help your situation.

[Zee]

Lucky enough t have a dealership Toyota tech as a neighbor.

He spent more than two hours with me and the car last night and he can't be sure what's causing it. Nothing should be leaking there, but it does.

We spun on a Toyota oil filter, hand tight, replacing the Bosch filter. This seems to have to slowed the oil leak from a stream to a seeping. BTW, the Toyota filter is cheaper at the dealership than the Bosch at Auto Zone! Paid $5.05 vs. $5.82 tax included.

He also sprayed a can and a half of carb cleaner around the area to remove the crud from several years of sloppy oil changes. This will give us a better way to observe what's up.

What seepage we see now could still be carb cleaner dissolving the crud. Only time will tell is we cured this.

He is checking to see if under the motor mount flange at the block there is a 12mm bolt which is one of the kind which holds the crank bearing carrier. (There is a two-piece oil pan on this 1MZ, he said. This is what I am referring to here.)

If leakage continues, the next step s to remove the motor mount and look behind its mating with the engine block to see if there is a bolt there to tighten up. these bolts appear about every four inches across the block and have an aluminum+fiber washer under them, similar to the gasket under the oil pan drain bolt.

I'll let you know.