Sump Leaking

Hi All,

Noticed last night a very small puddle of oil under the sump and upon further inspection, I saw a slight drip from on and around the oil filter, see picture below. The second picture shows the amount of oil I wiped from the sumo.

To give some background, April last year, I threaded the sump plug, resulting in having to take the bottom part of the sump pan off in order to Helicoil a new plug. In the process I replaced the gasket, however, I was sent the gasket for the upper part of the sump, which had not been removed, rather than the lower. Because of an arranged European trip a few days later, and seeing that the gasket fits with some minor modifications, I went ahead a used. Because the upper gasket which I used, doesn't have a section for the oil filter, I actually used the part from the old gasket. I am now wondering whether that has failed, or has moved ever-so slightly causing this small leak. I guess its time to fir the proper gasket.

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I’ll always be a student here but it feels like you answered your own question. Additionally, I’d make sure you don’t have two oil filter gaskets up in there, i.e. left the old one on by mistake when doing an oil filter change. Learned about that mistake from someone here and Pete.

JohnA wrote:

i.e. left the old one on by mistake when doing an oil filter change.

Yep. Guilty as charged. Rectified quickly when I noticed the used one was sans gasket.

I guess I lead a charmed life, as I've yet to leave the old gasket. But someday.....

Just a couple days ago, I was supervising son-in-law changing the oil in his new truck. He asked why he couldn't get the new filter to engage the threads........... Yup., old filter had no gasket. Where could it be?

HEY Kiwi Dave, I claim to be  guy unwise enough to leave the old gasket in..  and will never do that twice let me tell you!

Removed the lower sump, and low and behold, the section I recycled a year ago that goes round the filter housing had split. I assume this is what was causing a leak. Sump off, new gasket installed and just waiting for a new filter (may as well carry out mini service) and fill up with new clean oil.