Why is oil leaking from my oil filter?

[Trenchdigger]

Okay. WTF am I doing wrong??? I've done oil changes dozens of times on cars, and I've never had a problem.

Why is oil leaking from my bike at the oil filter??? I've tried two filters. Oil only leaks under pressure, with both filters.

Drain oil from bike. Remove filter. Get new filter. Lube the o-ring on said filter. Snug filter down, then quarter to half turn tight.

Leaking under pressure.

Get frustrated. Bull-dog that filter as hand-tight as I can. Still leaking. Pull filter off. Check up under engine. Everything looks okay and clean; no FOD, or old o-rings stuck to engine.

Could there possibly be something wrong with my engine? Or am I not strong enough to get it as "hand-tight" as I should?

[Trenchdigger]

Did some searching and came up with this thread:

http://ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=3505.0

I'll try to strap-wrench it some more.



Why can't the Ducati filters have a convex (round-profile) o-ring, instead of the square???  Makes a better hand-tight seal, IMO.

[Capo]

Check the flange of your filter to make sure the threaded inner boss is not bottoming out on the threaded nipple preventing the seal ring from compressing

[Speeddog]

Hand access to the filter is somewhat compromised by the shape of the cases, so sometimes it's hard to get it tight enough by hand.

I've not had a problem, but I've got the bikes up on a lift, so it's much less awkward.

Check very closely for any defect in the sealing surface of the case, I remember seeing that one member on TOB had a crack across the case there.  

Possibly the threaded fitting that screws into the case isn't tight?

Is this a new problem with the bike, or did you recently get the bike and discover this?

[64duc]

I always tighten mine with the strap wrench. Just don't overdo it.

[Trenchdigger]

This is a new problem, after about 3000 miles.

To rule out a defect in the filter, I put a new filter to replace the "leaky" filter; the problem did not go away.

I did stick my head under the case with the filter off to check for defects, and did not see any.

Anyway, I took the strap wrench to it, and it VERY easily went another quarter turn.  It could go a lot further, but I didn't want to "force the issue."  :p

If it leaks tomorrow, I'll put the bike on a lift and check the case more closely for cracks/defects.

[Capo]

This is a new problem, after about 3000 miles.

To rule out a defect in the filter, I put a new filter to replace the "leaky" filter; the problem did not go away.

I did stick my head under the case with the filter off to check for defects, and did not see any.

Anyway, I took the strap wrench to it, and it VERY easily went another quarter turn.  It could go a lot further, but I didn't want to "force the issue."  :p

If it leaks tomorrow, I'll put the bike on a lift and check the case more closely for cracks/defects.

Are you replacing the filter from the same manufacturer?
If you still have the old filter, put a straight edge accross the rubber gasket and observe the disatance between the straight edge and the center boss with the thread in it, then compare with your new filter.

[Trenchdigger]

Both filters are Ducati OEM.

[Capo]

Hmmm

[erkishhorde]

I forget what brand filter I get but it's got a nut on the top for easy (over  ) tightening and there's a hole in the nut for safety wire.

[NAKID]

Are you sure the gasket from the old filter isn't stuck to the engine case? Ask Spidey about that....

[Speeddog]

I forget what brand filter I get but it's got a nut on the top for easy (over  ) tightening and there's a hole in the nut for safety wire.

Those are K&N.

Are you sure the gasket from the old filter isn't stuck to the engine case? Ask Spidey about that....

Yeah, he checked for that.

[Trenchdigger]

Are you sure the gasket from the old filter isn't stuck to the engine case? Ask Spidey about that....

Haha!  Yes, I did check this.  Years ago I changed the oil on my Subaru, and the previous filter didn't have the o-ring built into the filter-housing (All the filters I use on my Subaru have the o-ring built in, but I was in a pinch and got a "generic" filter where the o-ring sat on top, like the Ducati filters.)  Sure enough, when I started the car, oil went EVERYWHERE.  :p  Since then, as soon as I pull the filter, I check to make sure the o-ring isn't "stuck" to the case.  I'm paranoid!

[Oldfisti]

Yeah it takes only one of those and you'll never forget to check for the rest of your life! Pumping the brakes after a brake job too! 

[ducpainter]

The first time I brought my Monster in for service I asked them to check why the filter was leaking.

When I picked it up and asked about it... the tech said...

Of course it was leaking...it wasn't tight.

I've changed a lot of filters in my time and always tightened by hand...

never a leak.

Doesn't work on the Duc.