How To Fix an Oil Filter Housing Leak and Other FAQ

An oil leak is never a good sign. It can point to a number of issues happening under the hood as well as wreak havoc on its own. Unless you’re ready to face the consequences of an oil filter housing leak, you should never ignore it for too long.

But what do we mean by “oil filter housing” in this context? Well, modern cartridge style oil filters have a plastic housing or cover that must be removed to replace the filter, and the new oil filter typically comes with a new o-ring. Usually this type of oil filter is accessed from the top rather than the bottom.

How To Fix an Oil Filter Housing Leak

Fixing an oil filter housing leak can be a DIY project that is actually as simple as replacing the oil filter during an oil change, once you’ve found that the leak is at the filter housing.

Prepare the Necessary Tools

Before you get down to business, prepare all the necessary tools. Depending on your car, you might need a new oil filter, oil filter housing gasket, or oil cooler gasket. If you aren’t sure which part needs replacing, don’t be afraid to ask a mechanic for help.

Check the Engine Oil Level

If oil is leaking from the oil filter housing, then your vehicle’s oil level is probably too low unless the leak isn’t a large one. It doesn’t take much oil to make a huge mess, so your engine might not be very low on oil at all but make sure you check it just to be sure.

Let your engine cool down for a while, and then pull the dipstick, wipe it clean with a cloth, and reinsert it, then remove it again, holding the tip of the stick down so the oil won’t run up the stick and give a false reading.

Pro Tips are nuggets of information direct from ASE-certified automobile technicians working with CarParts.com, which may include unique, personal insights based on their years of experience working in the automotive industry. These can help you make more informed decisions about your car.

Pro Tip: On some platforms, if you check the oil level too soon after shutting the engine off, you may get a reading that’s lower than what you’ll get if you wait. If you add oil you could wind up overfilling the crankcase.

Check for Oil Leaks

The oil filter housing on this type of filter system is usually mounted on top of the engine block. It has small O-ring gaskets that can wear over time and leak oil, but only if a substandard o-ring was used or the o-ring wasn’t changed the last time the filter was replaced.

Use a flashlight to thoroughly check the top of the engine block for any signs of an oil leak. The oil can leak onto the sides too, so don’t forget to check all sides of the engine.

Pro Tips are nuggets of information direct from ASE-certified automobile technicians working with CarParts.com, which may include unique, personal insights based on their years of experience working in the automotive industry. These can help you make more informed decisions about your car.

Pro Tip: Remember: with all the air that blows around under the hood when the engine is running, the oil may be in places where there is no leak, so don’t be fooled.

Inspect the Bell Housing for Oil Leaks

It doesn’t happen often, but an oil filter housing leak can sometimes reach the bell housing. Well, it depends on where the filter is, and oil that leaks usually travels down, so you’ll probably have oil dripping down the bell housing and off the bottom, so use non-flammable CRC brake parts cleaner in liberal amounts to get rid of all that oil, let it dry, and then start the engine, paying close attention to the filter area to see if the oil appears there as soon as you start the engine. Have a bright light on hand and wear eye protection. Keep away from moving parts.

Depends on where the oil filter is, and oil that leaks usually travels down, so you’ll probably have oil dripping down the bell housing and off the bottom, so use non-flammable CRC brake parts cleaner in liberal amounts to get rid of all that oil, let it dry, and then start the engine, paying close attention to the filter area to see if the oil appears there as soon as you start the engine. Have a bright light on hand and wear eye protection. Keep away from moving parts.

–Richard McCuistian, ASE Certified Master Automobile Technician

Look Underneath the Vehicle for Puddles

Place a newspaper or drip pan in your vehicle and leave it overnight. Fresh oil will be clear but older oil will form a puddle of dark liquid with a slippery consistency on the paper, which points to an engine oil leak. Engine oil doesn’t have a smell unless it’s burning, so don’t think you’ll be able to identify it with smell otherwise.

What Causes an Oil Filter Housing To Leak?

Finding the leak in your oil filter housing is the first step to fixing it. Here are some common causes:

Worn Oil Filter Housing Gasket

Constant exposure to high engine temperatures can cause the oil filter housing gasket to get hard. Over time, the rubber loses its elasticity, causing oil to leak from the housing. When this happens, the only way to fix it is to replace the gasket with a new one.

Of course, since a new o-ring gasket comes with the replacement oil filter, it should have been replaced when the oil filter was changed, anyway. In that case, look for it to be damaged or out of place.

Damaged Oil Filter Housing

In some cases, a rock can enter the engine bay and puncture the oil filter housing.

Can You Drive With an Oil Filter Housing Leak?

If oil is leaking from the oil filter housing, your vehicle’s oil levels are most likely too low, but only if it’s a bad leak. If the oil gets low enough, it can damage the engine internally.

How Much Does an Oil Filter Housing Replacement Cost?

The exact cost of an oil filter housing replacement can vary depending on several factors, including your vehicle’s year, make, and model. In general, however, you can expect to spend anywhere between $20 to $750 for a new oil filter housing.