Oil Filter Unscrewing itself - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

eberbs1 · 10-28-2011, 03:18 AM

The last few weeks i noticed that my corolla was leaking more oil than normal.
Today after work i go to check my oil (check it every 1-2 days) and it was dry stick! I added oil and started the motor and right away i see smoke, it was oil dripping off the oil pan onto the exaust (lots of oil dripping) I followed the trail back to the oil filter and find that the oil filter is 2 full turns loose!!
Tightened it back up and away i go.
Has anyone had this happen or knows of this happening? I change my oil all the time and have never had this issue.
Next week I hope to replace the oil pan gasket, timing belt, water pump and crank oil seal and hope that will stop some of the other oil leaks.
For 350k km and no paper work for a timing belt change I think its about time (and i have all the paper work of all the work on the car from both PO's and no timing belt

).

***SCT*** · 10-28-2011, 04:39 AM

I've noticed my oil filter would loosen up but never that loose. Just loose enough for a drip here and there. Then I just tighten it back up.

yamahaSHO · 10-28-2011, 08:58 AM

Try running it down tighter next time. I have the opposite problem when I do an oil change... I struggle to take it off. Honestly, I put them on as tight as I can with my hand. I run out of grip before having any seal issues with too much compression.

toyotaspeed90 · 10-28-2011, 12:07 PM

MAN UP AND TIGHTEN IT.... it's only like one of the most important things on you engine....

Flashmn · 10-28-2011, 01:36 PM

Maybe you got the wrong filter there. Theres some thread variance between few filters, some metric threaded filters will engage on imperial threads and feel like it tightens, but will loosen up just like you discribed.

Common problem with Nissan SR20 engines, because they've been made with both types of threads

RogueMoog · 10-28-2011, 03:20 PM

When I put in a new oil filter, I pretty much follow the directions on the package and never had a problem. Hand-tighten til it contacts the block, then 3/4 of a turn.

nitronate33 · 10-28-2011, 03:25 PM

you can certainly go tighter. shoot, almost every single new car from the factory has the oil filter on so damn tight that it can be a real PIA to get off. you can at least tighten it till you are struggling a bit.

Flashmn · 10-28-2011, 04:26 PM

No you cant tighten it too hard, when you do so, the seal will twist and cause it to leak.

eberbs1 · 10-28-2011, 04:41 PM

Like RogueMoog I follow the directions on the box.
Also i have used this same brand of oil filter the last few changes and have never had this problem.

RogueMoog · 10-28-2011, 09:26 PM

Did the rubber seal from a previous filter stick to the block? That might cause it to leak, having two of them stacked up. I've found the rubber ring stuck a few times when changing the oil, on different cars.