Over tightening the oil filter can either strip the threading, or break the O-ring. If the O-ring is broken, this can cause the filter not to have a proper seal; and cause oil to eventually leak.
It is recommended to only hand tighten your oil filter because over-tightening the filter can cause damage to the filter, the engine, or both. When the filter is tightened too much, the gasket can become distorted, which can result in oil leaks.
Can you hand tighten an oil filter? Yes, you can and should. With an oil filter wrench, you'll likely tighten the filter excessively. Next time, it'll be way more hard to take it off.
Take a worm gear band big enough to go around the filter. Put a large screwdriver between the band and the filter. Tighten the band. Then twist the filter off with the screwdriver. You have basically made a temporary oil filter removal tool.
Fresh Drops or a Puddle of Oil
If you notice a few fresh drops of oil or, worse, a large puddle forming beneath your car, a loose filter could be to blame.
Engine damage – Too much lubricant in the system can cause pressure on the crankshaft to increase. This can result in oil entering the crankshaft exhaust pipe, running through into the combustion chamber, blocking the suction hose with oil soot and potentially leading to engine overload.
Using an oil filter wrench is the most common way to remove a stuck oil filter. Before you try to unscrew the filter, make sure the engine is warmed up. Then, spray some WD-40 or another penetrant spray to loosen the filter.
If you've ever DIYed an oil change, you might have asked yourself, “Do I have to change my oil filter?” Yes! While nobody will stand over you and force you to replace the filter, not doing so can lead to engine problems.
And for oil filters, we suggest tightening it as tight as you can get it by hand – so you turn it until it stops naturally, and then you might be able to twist it another quarter of a turn. And if you have to use a 12-inch breaker bar to get it off, then back off a little next time.
A filter may feel as though it is tight when installed, but the threads may not be exactly the same as the mounting nipple. This will cause the filter to loosen up and leak over time.
The filter should then be installed and hand-tightened until the seating surface makes contact with the lubricated gasket. The filter should then be turned with a torque wrench until a torque of 18-20 foot pounds is reached. The 20-foot pound maximum torque should not be exceeded.
Unless you are quite weak-wristed, hand-tight will be fine. Besides, as mentioned above, the heat of your engine will tighten the seal rather quickly. This is why you might need a wrench to remove a "hand tight" filter after three thousand miles of driving.
A sudden decrease in oil level without an apparent reason could indicate a leak in the engine oil filter housing. Oil leaks also affect engine performance; look out for decreased power, unusual noises, or the engine running roughly.
Loose Filters Can Create Leaks
Oil is constantly pushing through the filter at high pressure and elevated temperatures. This means a leak can happen at any time. If the filter is loose, the liquid will escape more quickly, creating even more problems.
For most cars, the oil filter change interval will be between 5,000 and 7,500 miles, and it should be changed once per year regardless of mileage.
Don't cheap-out – replace the filter with every oil change.
Lubricate the Gasket: Spray penetrating oil around the base of the oil filter and let it sit for a few minutes. Penetrating oil is designed to seep into tight spaces and loosen rust, grime, or any debris that might be causing the filter to stick. After waiting, use an oil filter wrench or pliers to turn the filter.
WD-40 is a lubricant dissolved in a solvent. While it can break down grease and oil to a certain degree, it also adds back some. This might be desirable if you are cleaning a hinge, conveyor, or corrosive-prone part, but not if you need it truly clean.
A clogged oil filter can prevent oil flow through the engine. Consequently, and as we mentioned above, this can seriously damage your engine. If you do not have oil flowing through the engine, you will hear metal parts clanking and grinding together.
In any case, it's nothing to worry about. An extra half a quart of oil in your crankcase is not going to do any harm to the engine. If the crankcase were seriously overfilled — say, more than a quart — then the spinning crankshaft could come into contact with the liquid oil, and churn it up. Then you'd get oil foam.
Remember, your oil level doesn't have to be exactly at the upper mark for your engine to operate safely; it only needs to be between the lower and upper hash marks. If the oil level is in the safe zone, it's time to motor!
Other common causes of excessive oil consumption are: contamination in the combustion chamber, a seized piston ring, or polishing of the piston wall, which reduces the sealing effect. Other – more common – causes are use of the wrong oil, oil of the wrong quality or too much oil in the crankcase.