Oil Filter Leak - Motorcycle-Journal Forums

andymetzger · 10-29-2006, 09:02 AM

I went to change my oil the other day and after draining all of the old oil and replacing the filter, I went to put the filter cover back on the bike. I know all bikes are different, but on mine, I have 3 small bolts coming out of the bike around the filter, and the filter cap has 3 holes in it for the bolts to go through, and then 3 acorn nuts to tighten it down and seal it shut. Well one of my acorn nuts was stripped, so I didn't put it back on, but I tightened the other ones tight enough to have a good seal, so I thought...That was a stupid mistake, should have known better. I figured I would not ride the bike, but just run some oil through it before getting that last nut. Well as soon as I started the bike up, oil came spewing out the front where the filter is. I lost all my oil and it was a big mess. So I went and got 3 new acorn nuts (because none of them were great), and when I was tightening them down, one bolt snapped! I ended up ordering 3 new bolts, installing those 3 days ago. So I had new bolts and acorn nuts, a great seal, added new oil, started the bike, and no oil to be found. Ran it around the block a few times, let it sit for a day, still no oil dropping. Yesterday I cranked her up, and oil starts leaking, at a pretty good pace, from the filter again! I grabbed a wrench and was able to tighten the acorn nuts a little more on each, but I'm not sure if that's the problem. It still seemed to be leaking slowly from there. What's going on?! I know the bike is 24 years old, but I can't figure it out. Need help...

dragbar · 10-29-2006, 01:25 PM

I don't know alot about ur model, but does it have a secondary gasket where those nuts go into, or did u possibly leave an old gasket still attached where it's not sealing properly?

**Clint** · 10-29-2006, 01:32 PM

Oil filters usually don't require that much force to seal. I'm guessing something else is wrong. I'm not familiar with your setup. Is there a chance that you have an old gasket stuck in there yet? That's a common problem with screw-on filters.

ChicsterMG · 10-29-2006, 05:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dragbar

I don't know alot about ur model, but does it have a secondary gasket where those nuts go into, or did u possibly leave an old gasket still attached where it's not sealing properly?

I would look for the gasket from the old filter first. It is easy to overlook.

On the otherhand, like Clint said, you shouldn't have to crankdown on an oil filter. You could have damage the new filter or put too much stress on the gasket which can cause it to leak, too.

2005GZ250 · 10-29-2006, 08:17 PM

Did you use a new O-ring for the cover? The only other thing that I can come up with is the cover is warped from being overtightened.

andymetzger · 10-30-2006, 08:25 AM

I used the new O-ring for the cover. I'm not sure about any other gaskets inside. I think I may just take the bike to the shop so I don't mess anything else up. I don't think I messed up the cover at all by overtightening, but maybe the gasket or filter inside. We'll see...

andymetzger · 11-01-2006, 08:59 AM

Well I tried putting it back together, using some silicone b/w the cover and the block just in case, and as i tightened one of the bolts back in, it started just turning. The female receiver for the bolt (on the block) is stripped inside, so I'm at another standstill. frustration abounds. i was originally going to try and get some type of adhesive bonding stuff for metal on metal and just cement that sucker in there, but a friend advised against it. i'm going to try and get my hands on some taps and dies now and see if that might help. such a bad feeling to be missing all the warm weather and beautiful days as the bike just sits there with a puddle of oil beneath...

**Clint** · 11-01-2006, 08:36 PM

Warm? It's 28 degrees and windy as hell.

Oh, you mean there.

andymetzger · 11-01-2006, 10:43 PM

high of 80 today. nice and sunny. too bad i was sitting inside studying most of it!

andymetzger · 11-09-2006, 05:03 PM

So I took my bike over to the machine shop for Mechanical Engineers (man I wish I had all those tools!) and the shop manager was more than happy to help me out. He used a tap to fix the threads on the block and we used a new bolt to seal it up. Everything appeared great, nice and tight, but were very careful to not overtighten for sure, and finished it up. I didn't reapply any silicone, added some oil, and started it up. Sure enough, still oozing out the oil. WHAT THE HECK DO I DO? It feels tight and sealed. The O ring is new and has no problems. I'm not sure what else could be causing it.

**Clint** · 11-09-2006, 05:08 PM

I wonder if it's not an internal problem, like the pump is running backwards (I don't even know if that's possible).

andymetzger · 11-09-2006, 11:57 PM

hmmm...gonna take it back to the machine shop tomorrow. i'll let you know what they say.

10-29-2006, 09:02 AM	#1 (permalink)
andymetzger Seat Tester Joined: Oct 2005 Bike: 1982 GS300L Location: Morristown, TN & Columbia, SC Posts: 64	Oil Filter Leak I went to change my oil the other day and after draining all of the old oil and replacing the filter, I went to put the filter cover back on the bike. I know all bikes are different, but on mine, I have 3 small bolts coming out of the bike around the filter, and the filter cap has 3 holes in it for the bolts to go through, and then 3 acorn nuts to tighten it down and seal it shut. Well one of my acorn nuts was stripped, so I didn't put it back on, but I tightened the other ones tight enough to have a good seal, so I thought...That was a stupid mistake, should have known better. I figured I would not ride the bike, but just run some oil through it before getting that last nut. Well as soon as I started the bike up, oil came spewing out the front where the filter is. I lost all my oil and it was a big mess. So I went and got 3 new acorn nuts (because none of them were great), and when I was tightening them down, one bolt snapped! I ended up ordering 3 new bolts, installing those 3 days ago. So I had new bolts and acorn nuts, a great seal, added new oil, started the bike, and no oil to be found. Ran it around the block a few times, let it sit for a day, still no oil dropping. Yesterday I cranked her up, and oil starts leaking, at a pretty good pace, from the filter again! I grabbed a wrench and was able to tighten the acorn nuts a little more on each, but I'm not sure if that's the problem. It still seemed to be leaking slowly from there. What's going on?! I know the bike is 24 years old, but I can't figure it out. Need help...

10-29-2006, 01:25 PM	#2 (permalink)
dragbar Fifth gear streak Joined: May 2005 Bike: M50 Location: SE Missouri Posts: 1,375	I don't know alot about ur model, but does it have a secondary gasket where those nuts go into, or did u possibly leave an old gasket still attached where it's not sealing properly? __________________ I ate Chinese last night..........should of seen her struggle when i put her in the van. Доверя́й, но проверя́й.

10-29-2006, 08:17 PM	#5 (permalink)
2005GZ250 Fender Buffer Joined: Sep 2005 Bike: 2005 GZ250 1973 "heavyoldandslow" GT750 Location: Roland, AR Posts: 439	Did you use a new O-ring for the cover? The only other thing that I can come up with is the cover is warped from being overtightened. __________________ I only ride 'em. I don't know what makes 'em work. Oddball: Donald Sutherland, Kelly's Heroes 1970

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10-30-2006, 08:25 AM	#6 (permalink)
andymetzger Seat Tester Joined: Oct 2005 Bike: 1982 GS300L Location: Morristown, TN & Columbia, SC Posts: 64	I used the new O-ring for the cover. I'm not sure about any other gaskets inside. I think I may just take the bike to the shop so I don't mess anything else up. I don't think I messed up the cover at all by overtightening, but maybe the gasket or filter inside. We'll see...

11-01-2006, 08:59 AM	#7 (permalink)
andymetzger Seat Tester Joined: Oct 2005 Bike: 1982 GS300L Location: Morristown, TN & Columbia, SC Posts: 64	Well I tried putting it back together, using some silicone b/w the cover and the block just in case, and as i tightened one of the bolts back in, it started just turning. The female receiver for the bolt (on the block) is stripped inside, so I'm at another standstill. frustration abounds. i was originally going to try and get some type of adhesive bonding stuff for metal on metal and just cement that sucker in there, but a friend advised against it. i'm going to try and get my hands on some taps and dies now and see if that might help. such a bad feeling to be missing all the warm weather and beautiful days as the bike just sits there with a puddle of oil beneath...

11-01-2006, 10:43 PM	#9 (permalink)
andymetzger Seat Tester Joined: Oct 2005 Bike: 1982 GS300L Location: Morristown, TN & Columbia, SC Posts: 64	high of 80 today. nice and sunny. too bad i was sitting inside studying most of it!

11-09-2006, 05:03 PM	#10 (permalink)
andymetzger Seat Tester Joined: Oct 2005 Bike: 1982 GS300L Location: Morristown, TN & Columbia, SC Posts: 64	So I took my bike over to the machine shop for Mechanical Engineers (man I wish I had all those tools!) and the shop manager was more than happy to help me out. He used a tap to fix the threads on the block and we used a new bolt to seal it up. Everything appeared great, nice and tight, but were very careful to not overtighten for sure, and finished it up. I didn't reapply any silicone, added some oil, and started it up. Sure enough, still oozing out the oil. WHAT THE HECK DO I DO? It feels tight and sealed. The O ring is new and has no problems. I'm not sure what else could be causing it.

11-09-2006, 11:57 PM	#12 (permalink)
andymetzger Seat Tester Joined: Oct 2005 Bike: 1982 GS300L Location: Morristown, TN & Columbia, SC Posts: 64	hmmm...gonna take it back to the machine shop tomorrow. i'll let you know what they say.

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