Topic: What's with the damn oil leak? SOLVED!

[grumpy]

I changed the oil on the K3. New filter & gaskets, too. Same as always.
Put it back together revved it a few times & noticed oil dripping from the filter housing.
Checked the oil filter bolt for tightness, wiped off the oil, & revved again.
Same damn drip.
Drained the pan, pulled the filter, cleaned it all out - checked for debris that would interfere w/ the seal - nothing. Replaced gaskets (again) with another new set.
Same damn leak!!!!!!

It's oozing out from where the filter cover meets the crank case.

WTF!??!??!

What's the torque spec on the filter bolt?

 

[Johnny5]

I hate oil leaks.

Is the spring in tact? New rubber oring?

[grumpy]

Yep. Spring is fine. The infamous washer is there.
O-rings replaced & re-replaced.

$&%&^%@&!!!!!!!

It's a significant friggin leak.

What the smurf did I jack up just changing the friggin oil??!?!?

[Johnie]

Try putting in your old filter gasket and see if it still leaks.  Are you using OEM or aftermarket filter and gasket?  There is a post on here in the last couple weeks about an aftermarket gasket leaking on the filter housing.

[grumpy]

You might have seen my earlier post from a few days ago when I first noticed the leak. Today was the first chance I had to try & fix it.

The O-ring that got replaced was a K&N and it was fine (but it went out with the garbage yesterday).
The first replacement O-ring came w/ the K&N oil filter.
The re-replacement that's in there now I got from North City Honda today. I think it's an Emgo.

I measured all the O-rings I have here K&N, Emgo, & the one that's on there now. They're all spec thickness: 4.5mm

[Johnie]

There must be something different from the one you took off and the one you put on.  The sizing might be there, but is the rubber consistancy there?  I mean does it crush the same?  If the new gasket consistancy is lighter, oil may be able to leak past under pressure.  If it was me, I would buy a OEM Honda filter gasket and give it a try to be able to at least eliminate that idea.  Heck, if I had saved my used one I would sent it to you.  Like you, I toss them.  I hope you get it sorted soon.

[Johnny5]

Maybe there's two of those little rubber gaskets stuck together when the last filter was installed?

[grumpy]

There must be something different from the one you took off and the one you put on.  The sizing might be there, but is the rubber consistancy there?

Yeah - I thought of that, too.

I'm gonna call the Honda dealer today & see if they have some.

Maybe there's two of those little rubber gaskets stuck together when the last filter was installed?

No but I thought of doing that myself. Don't think I could jam 2 into the slot, though.

grrr...  

This is REALLY annoying.

[the technological J]

i got some kinda high temp copper sealant that i used on my intake manifolds and it holds up well... got it an advanced auto or something... id put that on it tighten her up and let it sit till the next day... it should hold up to temp as well as the rubber... at least u should know its sealed... good luck

[grumpy]

i got some kinda high temp copper sealant

I thought about trying a sealant but I don't want to change it getting into the oil & then into the engine. After seeing that clogged oil screen I don't think I'll ever use any kind of sealant ever again!

[1974CB750rider]

I ordered a Fram filter through Autozone and it works fine plus its only 4.99. I change my oil real often and change the filter everytime despite what the Honda manual says.

[75750SS]

I had the same problem with the EMGO filter.  Switched to a FRAM CH6009.  The o-ring is a tiny bit thicker with the FRAM and hasn't leaked for the last 4 oil changes.

[Johnie]

Geez...am I like the only guy here that uses the Honda OEM filters? 

[scubes]

I can definately vouch for OEM Honda filters. Change em at least once a year on both my bikes and yet to have a leak.

[andy750]

Geez...am I like the only guy here that uses the Honda OEM filters? 

I used to use FRAM and EMGO all the time....then the dreaded filter housing oil leak due to crappy O-rings.....now only Honda OEM...quality is far superior!

cheers
Andy

[grumpy]

Went to the Honda dealer and got an OEM ring.
It was visibly thicker than the K&N. Much softer, too.
It measured out to 4.5mm thick versus the 4.2mm Emgo.

No more leak!

 

Cripes. Do parts mfgrs really have to be that cheesy to where we have to go OEM for the simplest things?! Can't they get anything right?

[Johnie]

Went to the Honda dealer and got an OEM ring.
It was visibly thicker than the K&N. Much softer, too.
It measured out to 4.5mm thick versus the 4.2mm Emgo.

No more leak!

 

Cripes. Do parts mfgrs really have to be that cheesy to where we have to go OEM for the simplest things?! Can't they get anything right?

Not that they can't get it right, they just have to try to do it cheaper I guess.  You have just solidified my continual use of OEM parts.  Glad you got it taken care of.  A lot of dinking around that you should not have had to go through.