Oil Filter gasket leak?

[griff]

On a recent ride where I put on several hundred miles and was at nominal cruising speed for several hours I noticed oil on the oil filter, the cover plate to the rear of the filter and some oil splashed on the left bag and the frame. The filter had oil on the bottomt of it and appeared to be leaking around the gasket. This filter has about 3500 miles on it (a Bosch) and I install it hand tight. I couldn't tighten it any more by hand when I was looking at the leak, so it wasn't loose. The rest of the engine and oil filter drain plug are dry. I haven't taken it off yet to change the oil, but thought I would see what the FJR collective says about this. Anyone ever see an oil filter start leaking? And don't ask for pictures, because I took a few and they don't add anything to the discussion. If I see anything weird about the filter gasket when I change the oil, I'll post up.

Thanks for any helpful input.

 

[GPRIDER]

Never had that problem with either one of my FJRs over 7 years and I mostly use the Bosch. Sounds like a bad filter gasket. Let us know what you find out.

GP

 

[64Y80]

I never had it happen on my FJR but I did have it happen on my truck last year. I believe it was a Mobil 1 oil filter, it leaked slightly past the gasket. I don't know what the exact problem was but when I put on a new filter all was good.

 

[griff]

Yep, time to change the oil. Looked at my maintenance chart and noticed that before my last ride I was well under the 5k mile change for me, but now I am well over 5k. Duh on me for not paying attention to ride lengths. I'll take a look at the gasket carefully, but this is probably just a freak occurence for me. (at least I hope so)

 

[wheatonFJR]

Yep, time to change the oil. Looked at my maintenance chart and noticed that before my last ride I was well under the 5k mile change for me, but now I am well over 5k. Duh on me for not paying attention to ride lengths. I'll take a look at the gasket carefully, but this is probably just a freak occurence for me. (at least I hope so)

...or MAYBE it was the fact that you had your mind on other things while riding 2500 miles or so in less than 48 hours while circum-riding the Great Lakes. I know it's not official until all the paperwork is approved but from someone following the spot-tracker...CONGRATS!!! :yahoo:

Now CHANGE that oil...we have Indiana roads to ride. :clapping:

 

[Bustanut joker]

And I though I was going to do something just doin' the Huron ride. Oh well I'll at least get out of the candy butt klub.. :lol:

 

[griff]

...or MAYBE it was the fact that you had your mind on other things while riding 2500 miles or so in less than 48 hours while circum-riding the Great Lakes. I know it's not official until all the paperwork is approved but from someone following the spot-tracker...CONGRATS!!! :yahoo:

Now CHANGE that oil...we have Indiana roads to ride. :clapping:

Damn, now I gotta do that ride report. Mark - since you do such a good job at those reports, could I hire you as a ghost writer

 

[Bungie]

And I though I was going to do something just doin' the Huron ride. Oh well I'll at least get out of the candy butt klub.. :lol:

You haven't done it yet

 

[wheatonFJR]

Damn, now I gotta do that ride report. Mark - since you do such a good job at those reports, could I hire you as a ghost writer

I am done doing ride reports.

Done.

You're on your own...lots of pictures and pithy sayings...chop chop.

 

[HotRodZilla]

Hey Griff...As a serious answer, when you change the oil, make sure the surface where the gasket seats is clean. I'm with the others on it just being kind of a freak thing, but make sure no sort or grime is causing separation.

Oh...and congrats on your ride.

 

[Bustanut joker]

And I though I was going to do something just doin' the Huron ride. Oh well I'll at least get out of the candy butt klub.. :lol:

You haven't done it yet

I know.. I think I might ***** out after I leave me comfort zone of 2 blocks.. :lol:

 

[airboss]

Since Wheatie spilled the beans, getting a cert shouldn't be an issue. I know three people where watching that spot track religiously, and at least two of them are IBA members.

So Wheatie, When were you planning on doing your Iron Butt ride............................. :lol:

Sorry couldn't help myself

 

[griff]

Hey Griff...As a serious answer, when you change the oil, make sure the surface where the gasket seats is clean. I'm with the others on it just being kind of a freak thing, but make sure no sort or grime is causing separation.

Yeah, I try to make sure the surface are clean and I oil the gasket surface before installing. Kind of weird since it was clean for about 4000 miles and then started leaking yesterday in Canada. Oh well.

Off topic, but I did the WD-40 thing to my 03 ignition switch a while ago because it was acting funky and it seemed to clear itself up.

 

[Constant Mesh]

The filters were leaking on some Honda CRVs a few years ago. The old filter's gasket occasionally pulled loose from the filter and stayed on the engine. Then when a new filter was installed two gaskets were sandwiched together. Sometimes they leaked and oil dropped down on hot exhaust pipes. Oil fires can be nasty.

 

[wheatonFJR]

So Wheatie, When were you planning on doing your Iron Butt ride..

Sorry, that's too hard core for me.

I'll just stick with my TBA rides...

 

[griff]

Never had that problem with either one of my FJRs over 7 years and I mostly use the Bosch. Sounds like a bad filter gasket. Let us know what you find out.

GP

After changing the oil, I looked at the filter gasket carefully. No apparent damage. The filter came off relatively easy - it definitely was not loose, but it wasn't bottomed out either. Sooo, after washing the bike and taking a ride I spotted oil dribbling down the side of the oil filler plug, right above the oil filter. Looks like the O ring on the filler plug might be shot. When I screw in the filler plug, it seems to bottom out before I feel any resistance from the O ring. I'll replace that and see how it goes. In any event, I didn't seem to lose much oil on my little Great Lakes ride, just enough to make a mess.