leaking oil filter

harpo42 · Post by **harpo42** » Wed Jan 16, 2008 10:17 am

Since changeing the oil and filter about a month ago the bongo is leaking oil from what looks like the filter. The filter is tight but not over tight (ie bit more than hand tight).
I seem to remember a thread regarding dodgy filters that leaked but I cant find it.

Any suggetions?
Thanks

Post by **Ian** » Wed Jan 16, 2008 10:36 am

Between last April and June there was a dodgy batch of Comline filters where the seal came away from the casing. There were also reports of some other cheap brands, probably made at the same Taiwan factory, having the same problems. It sounds like you have a duff one, and you should change it immediately before it dumps your oil completely. If it is part of the dodgy batch, it fails on start up immediately after installation.

bigdaddycain · Post by **bigdaddycain** » Wed Jan 16, 2008 11:08 am

Did you smear the filter seal with fresh oil prior to fitting Harpo?

harpo42 · Post by **harpo42** » Wed Jan 16, 2008 11:17 am

Yep smeared the seal with oil. Cant remember the name of the filter. I bought it at our local mototr factors. Will check later.

It seems to be a slow leak.

Thanks

bigdaddycain · Post by **bigdaddycain** » Wed Jan 16, 2008 11:26 am

Hmm, Could be one of the dodgy filters that Ian mentioned then... A lot of peeps forget to smear the filter you see Harpo,that's why i asked.

I'd try tightening it a bit more Harpo... You may have more luck tightening it when the engine is stone cold.

harpo42 · Post by **harpo42** » Wed Jan 16, 2008 12:32 pm

Thanks BDC. Will look again this eve and tighten. Will let you know what I find.

bigdaddycain · Post by **bigdaddycain** » Wed Jan 16, 2008 12:35 pm

Nowt to lose i suppose...gotta be better than dropping all the oil again eh? I know bongo's need regular oil changes but....

Good luck Harpo...hope it does the trick for ya!

paul9 · Post by **paul9** » Wed Jan 16, 2008 1:16 pm

there was a bad batch of CTL filters around,i still use CTL filters and haven't had any leak yet,but i do keep an eye on them just in case.

Peg leg Pete · Post by **Peg leg Pete** » Wed Jan 16, 2008 9:14 pm

When I had my oil changed before Christmas, my mechanic showed me the filter that was removed, it had almost rusted through(not bought from Ian) it was fit by a local garage, If I had delayed the oil change, the rusty filter may have failed whilst out and about

bigdaddycain · Post by **bigdaddycain** » Thu Jan 17, 2008 12:58 am

That could have been nasty pete... How bad must that filter have been? Coated in oil all the time, yet still rusts through?

harpo42 · Post by **harpo42** » Sun Jan 20, 2008 4:41 pm

Had another look at the filter and topped up the oil this weekend.

Looks like the O ring on the filter is too small and does not protrude enough to make an effective seal.

I have done as BDC suggested and tightened all up when cold, also used a strap to REALLY tighten. Topped the oil right up. All seems ok at the mo but will check again regulary to see if loseing oil. If that is the case then will replace the filter.

Thanks for all the help.

Harpo

dandywarhol · Post by **dandywarhol** » Mon Jan 21, 2008 12:05 am

I would slacken it off again pronto harpo - or you'll never get it off in 3,000 miles at the next service

bigdaddycain · Post by **bigdaddycain** » Mon Jan 21, 2008 12:37 pm

A filter strap should shift it dandy... failing that, a good impaling with a long flat headed screwdriver...

harpo42 · Post by **harpo42** » Mon Jan 21, 2008 8:23 pm

I figure thats its probably better to stguggle to get it off at next filter change than for it to fall off unexpectedly.

haydn callow · Post by **haydn callow** » Mon Jan 21, 2008 8:45 pm

I would change it now, should'nt need to be tight so somthing is wrong and if it fails your in big trouble. Whats a tenner for peace of mind