Clean engine oil is essential to keeping a vehicle running smoothly, but what helps clean the oil? An oil filter of course. An engine oil filter helps keep debris from entering your engines vital parts. In addition it also helps regulate oil pressure to ensure they all stay properly lubricated. If an oil filter becomes loose, it can end in serious engine problems.
Can a loose oil filter leak?
In a nutshell, yes. If it is loose, you can definately have a leak. Since your oil pump is constantly pushing oil through the engine and the filter, a decent amount could be lost through the broken seal or improperly secured filter. How severe it is will depend on how loose the oil filter actually gets. If the gasket gets pinched it can create a leak even if the filter is tight.
Loose Oil Filter Symptoms
- Oil Puddle Underneath Car
- Frequently Topping Off Oil
- Low Oil Pressure
Why Does My Filter Come Loose?
If you are sure your filter is loose, and leaking oil. It is possible it was properly tightened the first time and came loose again, but why? Below are a few reasons how that can happen:
- Improperly tightened
- Oil gasket is damaged
- Double gasket (happens more often than you think). This is when the old gasket sticks to the mating surface of the engine during removal and a new gasket is installed on top of it.
- Oil filter threads are damaged
- Wrong filter size
What do I do about a loose oil filter?
It can be extremely frustrating, thankfully oil filters are pretty easy to replace on most makes and models. The best time of course to change one is at your routine oil change. If you are between oil changes and notice it is loose, don’t fret. Kraken Automotive can help replace and recycle that old filter quick and easy, and you don’t even have to leave your house.
