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Oil Filter Leak

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by jumpinjivinjoe, Apr 26, 2018.

  1. jumpinjivinjoe

    jumpinjivinjoe Junior Member

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    Did an oil change about two weeks ago and discovered oil spots on the back of my car. It finally occurred to me I probably have an oil leak. Upon inspection I found a lot of oil leaking from around the oil filter.

    I drained the oil and removed the oil filter and housing. The housing was tight and looking into it further, the o-ring was in the correct groove and looked intact without any nicks. I cleaned the filter housing and didn't see any cracks.

    I will put a new o-ring and filter tomorrow and see if that fixes the problem. But any ideas why it would leak when everything looked right?
     
    #1 jumpinjivinjoe, Apr 26, 2018
  2. Raytheeagle

    Raytheeagle Senior Member

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    You didn’t have 2 gaskets in there? How tight was the filter? It wasn’t leaking from somewhere above the filter element?
     
    #2 Raytheeagle, Apr 26, 2018
  3. tankyuong

    tankyuong Senior Member

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    when the plastic housing is over tightened it will leak and you have to buy another
     
    #3 tankyuong, Apr 26, 2018
  4. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk EGR Fanatic

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    The last time I took our oil filter off, about 2 weeks back, the O-ring was up against the flange. Now either I had a brain fart and put it there, or it worked its way up there while I was screwing the housing back on. Either way, I think you really want to slather on the fresh oil after putting the O-ring on, and take it really easy screwing it back on, especially just as the O-ring goes into the barrel cavity. I didn't lose any oil btw, and since the change I've been watching it closely, think it's ok this time.

    Just on my mind, not directly related.

    Torque is 18 foot/pounds, btw.
     
    #4 Mendel Leisk, Apr 26, 2018
  5. jumpinjivinjoe

    jumpinjivinjoe Junior Member

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    RayTheEagle: Nope only one o-ring. Isn't there suppose to be just one o-ring?

    Tankyuong: I certainly did tighten the cap down pretty hard. But why would this require me getting a new cap?

    Mendel: That could very well be the problem, perhaps the o-ring worked it's way up or got twisted somehow during install. I didn't see any signs of damage on the o-ring when I removed it and it was in the correct groove too. Who knows what happens once it's screwed in.
     
    #5 jumpinjivinjoe, Apr 26, 2018
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  6. RRxing

    RRxing Senior Member

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    Double check the cap for cracks.
     
    #6 RRxing, Apr 27, 2018
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  7. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk EGR Fanatic

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    Yeah with any leak: wipe everything clean, then check after another drive, maybe you can see better where the oil leak's originating.
     
    #7 Mendel Leisk, Apr 27, 2018
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  8. jerrymildred

    jerrymildred Senior Member

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    Good idea. It's easier, too, if you spray a liberal coating of antiperspirant deodorant all over the filter and suspect areas. Then just start the engine for a couple minutes. The white powder will really highlight where the oil is coming out.
     
    #8 jerrymildred, Apr 27, 2018
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  9. jumpinjivinjoe

    jumpinjivinjoe Junior Member

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    Well I replaced the oil filter cap, oil filter and o-ring. Alas it is still leaking.

    In doing further investigation I think it is the oil pressure sensor which is leaking.

    That is the next thing to replace...
     
    #9 jumpinjivinjoe, Apr 29, 2018
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  10. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk EGR Fanatic

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    There's been other reports of that. (y)
     

    Attached Files:

    #10 Mendel Leisk, Apr 29, 2018
  11. jumpinjivinjoe

    jumpinjivinjoe Junior Member

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    Well I took out the oil pressure sensor. Cleaned it with electronics cleaner. Swabbed out the female threads with cleaner. And reinstalled with Blue Locktite 242. Alas, I check for oil leak after driving around and the leak continues.

    What to do next?

    Should I replace the oil pressure sensor?

    Are there other areas of oil leaks common to a 2010 Prius?

    KIMG0021.jpg

    KIMG0024.jpg
     
    #11 jumpinjivinjoe, May 1, 2018
  12. tankyuong

    tankyuong Senior Member

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    I would use Teflon tape
     
    #12 tankyuong, May 1, 2018
  13. jumpinjivinjoe

    jumpinjivinjoe Junior Member

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    I replaced the oil pressure switch with a $10 one from NAPA (as opposed to the $65 one from dealership). Just came back from a 500 mile trip and except for some remnant oil left over from the previous leak, I believe the leak has been fixed by replacing the oil pressure switch.
     
    #13 jumpinjivinjoe, May 8, 2018
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  14. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk EGR Fanatic

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    Good to know you can sub that and it works. (y)
     
    #14 Mendel Leisk, May 8, 2018
  15. Glee217

    Glee217 Junior Member

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    Hey there hope all is good but curious if the leak came back? I have a 2014 prius three and the filter hosing area has leak but should I replace the oil press switch too?
     
    #15 Glee217, May 25, 2020
  16. ASRDogman

    ASRDogman Senior Member

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    Can you see the oil pressure switch? The oil is probably leaking down from there onto th
    oil filter.
    You could gunk it off then hose it off, drive it, then you'll see just where it is leaking from.

     
    #16 ASRDogman, May 25, 2020
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