Oil Filter Housing Leak

[PeterDavisX300]

Hello and merry Xmas. I have a 3.2 X300 1995. For all the time I've had the car (More than 3 years) there has been a very slight leak from the near-side of the engine, with a 'dot' of oil on a clean path dropped overnight. More recently in the last week that oil leak has started to really leak when the engine is running. It drops from the lower end of the oil filter onto the steering-rack, and from there onto the floor. It also seems to dribble down the side of the lower block. It certainly looks to me as if the gasket on the inside of the 'oil-cooler-adapter' and/or the gasket between the 'oil-cooler-adapter' and the 'Filter-Head' have failed causing this leak. Naturally I have checked the filter for how tight it is, and I know for sure that the rubber gasket on the filter is in the correct place and is fine, it's a genuine Jaguar filter I fitted myself. The part numbers for these two gaskets are:- Inner gasket NBB1715AA, and the gasket between the two components :- NBB1716AA (unfortunately the second gasket is no-longer available)

So, my questions. Is this a common fault? My chassis number is 745725 Reg' M859 CLH. Is my car fitted with the 'Oil-Cooler-Adapter', how do I find this out without crawling underneath? Is there anything I should watch-out for when un-bolting, and replacing these gaskets, e.g. bits falling out or springing out! ? Presumably for the unavailable gasket I can just manufacture one myself from gasket-paper or a cornflake packet?

Regards, Peter

Right, I've crawled underneath, and it does have the 'Oil-Cooler-adapter', but I can't see what it's function is, there doesn't seem to be any pipes coming from it, not that I can see anyway! It just seems to have the 'Bypass-Pipe' fitted? The leak looks as if it's coming from above that assembly, in the region of those gaskets, theres a fair bit of dribbly oil about there though.

[PeterDavisX300]

I have now managed to locate both of the gaskets, and have purchased. Will let you know how I get on with the job once the weather allows. If anyone has done this job before, any info greatly received.
Peter

[poprivet]

Although my 3.6 is a lot older then your car I think the basic set-up is similar. Some time ago I had a slight oily area there which turned out to be from one of the oil pressure switch/sensors which are located in front of the filter housing. With air flow and the location it was quite difficult to initially locate the source of the leak.

Might be worth checking before pulling the housing apart.

[Brakebuster]

pop , which sensor does what

i need to replace the instrument pressure gauge sensor, is that the larger one of the two ?

mine fluctuates when the engine is hot,

BB

[poprivet]

Yep, Large metal one is for the pressure guage, the small white one was a generic switch for the oil light.

[Brakebuster]

Ta


BB

[PeterDavisX300]

Thanks Pop, I'll check that also. Peter