Oil everywhere....

Well...changed the oil in my 2005 vert and all went as the past changes went. When installing the filter I normally tighen by hand then with a 1/4 turn with the filter wrench. This filter seemed like it took more turns to get it seated...but didnt think anything of it. Filled up with oil and warmed up the car checking for any leaks. All looks great.

Took the car out on the road and got about two miles and noticed the oil pressure was dropping.....then I smelled oil. Immediatly shut the engine down and coasted to the side. We live on a rural road so not much traffic. Got out and saw a trail of oil down the road and oil leaking out of the engine bay. fortunatly I wasnt to far away from the house, so I walked home and grabbed the truck. Towed the car back to the garage to see what happend.

No leaks on the drain plug and then I looked at the filter. It was still tight. I looked at the old filter and noticed the rubber seal wasnt on the filter. I removed the new filter and noticed right away while removing the filter the rubber seal fell into the oil catch can. There was also a seal still on the filter that I just removed.

Im guessing that when I installed the new filter, the old seal was still stuck up on the engine!

Ordered a few new filters....and now Im off to try and figure out how to clean up the underside of the car of all the oil. Top half looks pretty good...pretty much stayed under the car.

Anyone have an idea what works the best for cleaning up the oil?

Some things that you think are so simple....end in a train wreck!

Rich...

Simple Green works great. Just insert the o-ring in the new filter and top off the oil.

yep on a high pressure oil pump, it will stick to the block on you

Brake and parts cleaner, works pretty good and doesn't damage anything.

What Allan said.

FYI, be careful using Simple Green on/around aluminum.
http://www.simplegreen.com/solutions_faqs.php?search_query=aluminum

Yeah, one of those things to look for when changing your oil. I have a routine of cleaning/wiping the seal surface area prior to screwing on a new filter for all of my vehicles.

rhallman, sorry about the "mess".

Can you please post what filters you are using? Thanks !!

Im using the VIPER filters...PT # 05037836AA.....But those I just ordered are now the "AB" version. Thanks...

Don't feel bad. I had that exact same thing happen to me about 15 years ago on a '69 Fastback Mustang. Terrible mess to clean up.

I put the car on jack stands and used soap/water at that time in the drive way. I am sure that there are better things to use today.

Been there, done that last year and not proud of it.

Ok, DON'T use brake cleaner as it is harmful to the painted underside of the car. Simple Green will discolor the raw aluminum parts. You can cut Simple Green down by 50% with water and wash it off quickly on a cool engine and you'll probably be OK. The best solution that will work quickly and with the best results is GUNK engine cleaner. Everything comes out squeaky clean with GUNK, however it does have a heavy odor and it's probably not the best thing for the environment..............Dishwashing soap and water out of a spray bottle is the safest, and least effective.

Ether starting fluid is a great degreaser/de-oiler. Harmless to painted surfaces too. It is, of course, flammable!, so don't use around source of spark or flame and use in a well ventilated area. Brake cleaners are just acetone these days, can be harmful for many materials.

Did the same thing except it was in my garage. What a mess! Took me hours to clean up. I used simple green.

Just bought 6 cans for GUNK HD Engine Degreaser at Oreilly. They were on sale buy one get one free. Can’t beat that. Have the new filter and will start pulling panels in the morning and cleaning. Fingers crossed this doesn’t happen again. Looking for an undercarriage steam cleaning place here in Reno for the final touches.

Thanks for all the ideas....

Viper filter is one full turn after seal touches.
It is written on the can.
Yes, do not forget the old O ring. gets stuck, happens more often than not.
Frank

I think Dawn dish soap works best and will not hurt anything, I know it works on ducks.

Dawn is the miracle soap that will actually clean my hands after a day of wrenching. Haven't ever tried it on car parts really, but wouldn't hesitate to.

7 year old thread... Im sitting here thinking
where the hell have these guys been to
suddenly jump on an Oil Filter thread... ...

My excuse is I have a relaxed brain. The other people might not have been here 7 years ago.