Oil spraying everywhere....

[DextaDrew]

I have just changed the engine oil for the first time on my 1959 Dexta. I noticed when removing the filter housing there was no gasket. The new filter came with a gasket so I fitted it. I went out for a run, perhaps three or four miles, it behaved perfectly as always. I was just pulling into my drive when all hell broke loose, all of a sudden oil started spraying everywhere, loads of the stuff and at high pressure. I cut the engine as soon as I was off the road, by which time it had made quite a mess. I very briefly restarted it to see exactly where the oil was coming from and it was indeed from the top of the filter housing. Clearly the gasket has failed (an assumption - I haven't investigated yet, spent so long clearing up it's now dark.) Is this why there was no gasket when I removed the old filter? Do these gaskets often fail in such dramatic fashion?

[conar22]

Are you sure there wasnt the remains of an old rubber seal up in the groove where the seal locates into? I had the same problem once....luckily I spotted the oil leaking just as the engine fired up.

[ol'Blue]

I often have trouble with the cartridge style filters both in fuel and oil. I guess its just the age I grew up in. All the tractors and trucks we serviced growing up had spin on filters. I converted my super dex over to a spin on and its no mess no fuss.....

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Ford-Massey-Spi ... 1e6e7f62e6

you will need 1/2 inch shorter bolts when mounting the adaptor....

dave

[Chris Ivin]

I have had this problem twice when I have changed oil filters in recent years. In my case I found that the problem was due to the rubber seals supplied with the filter being too narrow and being a sloppy fit in the seal groove. Even when the filter was torqued up correctly I found that once the engine had run for 10 to 15 minutes the oil pressures caused the seal to pop out of the groove(half way to a local ploughing match!!!). I refitted the seal several times and even fitted another seal from another filter but it still popped out, In the end I used a seal from a fuel filter kit as this fitted snuggly in the groove. I haven't had a problem since.

Someone told me that there used to be two seals supplied with each oil filter so that you could fit the correct seal for the oil filter housing on your machine. However they only seem to supply the narrow one with the filters I have bought recently.

Next time I change the filter I am going to leave the old seal in place unless it shows obviouis signs of damage.

[DextaDrew]

Thank you very much for the replies, it's given me something to go on. Guess what I'll be doing this weekend.....

[Brian Cox]

when you fit a new seal, always give a rub of oil on each side of the seal with your finger, this gives you a better seal.

[Cvans]

The spin on filter adapter looks to be an excellent investment. The next time I need an oil change I think that's the route I'm going.
Thanks for the suggestion

[PghBill]

Chris,
Put a spin on kit on mine. Works great. Only issue was .When I went to install it, one of the bolts had too much shoulder and wouldn't tighten up. Had to run to the hardware and get one that fit.

[Cvans]

Thanks Bill, I'll watch for that.