Spin on oil filter leaking

[Tintin]

My 4.2 has a Flexolite spin on filter conversion (fitted by the PO) comprising an alloy adaptor plate, central hollow bolt and seals. I have a persistent leak which I am sure is coming out between the adaptor plate and engine filter head. I have replaced the Flexolite seals with new, found nothing wrong with the old seals or mating faces and have tried a selection of torques on the hollow bolt from hand tight to hand tight + 360 degrees. Last time I used a light smear of Loctite oil sump gasket on the seal mating faces - but no difference. On initial start up it is fine, but after a run from cold it has leaked out over the steering rack again. Possibly high oil pressure from cold? - gauge reads 60 psi at 2,500rpm when cold - or thermal cycles loosening the fitting?

Anyone had a similar experience and/or solution?

Robbie

[PaulGover]

Are you sure it's engine oil and not power steering fluid? That stuff gets everywhere when there's a leak. Usually easy to tell 'cos of the red colour, but it turns brown if it's old and cooked.

[Tintin]

Are you sure it's engine oil and not power steering fluid

As sure as I can be - its black (or was until I changed the oil yesterday!) and drips are visible hanging from the bottom of the adaptor plate. There is a short hose adjacent which I think is the oil return to the sump from the pressure relief valve - that's a possibility and its next up for changing.

R

[mike020150]

It might sound obvious but ensure you get oil resistant rubber tubing for the replacement bypass hose. It's relatively expensive compared with the more commonly available water hoses so people are often tempted to save a few pence at the time which later turns into annoying oil leaks. Mike.

[Tintin]

ensure you get oil resistant rubber tubing for the replacement bypass hose

Thanks for the tip Mike - I think I have some hydraulic hose off-cuts in the garage and will see if I can find something to suit the connecting pipe diameter.

The leak is now much reduced - not sure what I did to improve the situation but took the car down to Compiegne and back over the weekend (600+ miles) and hardly a drip!

R