Looks like a leak in the Rear Main!

[Ozzie John]

5.7gsi VP.
Recently I did an oil change on my engine. I ran the engine for about 2 hours after the oil change and while I was out at sea the oil drained from the oil filter (almost cooked it!). Thinking I did not install the filter properly as the gasket was pushed to one side. I reinstalled a new filter. Several runs later I noticed oil leaking from the bell housing. Two mechanics told me it was likely to be the rear main. So I planned to have the engine removed and rear main fixed.
I took it to a third mechanic who spent a few hours observing the leak while the engine was running. During his testing, the oil filter did exactly what happened to me. He also thought a faulty filter, until it happened to him a second time.
It turned out that the oil filter adaptor had loose bolts. What a relief! No leaks since the bolts were tightened. First time user. Hope this information may help someone.

 

[Boatin Bob]

Re: Looks like a leak in the Rear Main!

Sure pays to get a second and even a third opinion. Is your oil filter a "Remote Filter" or just attached right to the engine?

 

[FreeBeeTony]

Re: Looks like a leak in the Rear Main!

Why would that problem "cook" the filter?

 

[searay3]

Re: Looks like a leak in the Rear Main!

I think he meant 'cooked the motor'

 

[FreeBeeTony]

Re: Looks like a leak in the Rear Main!

ohhhhhhh!

 

[Don S]

Re: Looks like a leak in the Rear Main!

Being as it's a Volvo GSi engine, that means it's EFI. So I doubt he "Cooked" the engine as low oil pressure would have sounded an alarm along with dropping the engine down to 1200 rpm (Protection mode) if it dropped below 7 psi. Long before engine damage would have occured.
I also don't understand How a loose filter bracked will cook a filter. Assuming cook means destroy in ways other than getting hot, I still don't understand how a loose filter adapter could cause filter failure.

The GSi engines do have remote filters and the oil filter adapter goes where the block mounted filter originally was located. There are hoses from the adapter to the remote filter.

 

[Dunaruna]

Re: Looks like a leak in the Rear Main!

[colour=blue]In Aus, 'Cooked' is a euphemism for 'stuffed', 'craped out', 'deceased', 'blown up' etc etc etc

I am assuming that is what John meant.

 

[Ozzie John]

Re: Looks like a leak in the Rear Main!

Thank you Don for your information.
The oil filter was pushing sideways somehow, allowing the gasket to be displaced. I did mean 'cooked the motor.' not the filter.
What you said about the engine shutting down with low oil pressure, did actually happen. When there is oil all over the place, it was difficult to trace the leak.
For about a month oil kept dripping from the bell housing, even though it had been washed out. The fly wheel must have acted as a vacuum, sucking the leaking oil from the filter into the bell housing. Problem sorted. All happy again.