Oil filter cap and o-ring seal ?


lthlvpr

GT Owner
Mar 8, 2006
299
Brought my car in for an oil change. Afterwards I noticed the oil level was about 1.5 qts too high. After sucking out the excess oil I decided to check the oil filter. I noticed there was not 1, but 2 O-ring seals on the cap. One was in the last groove of the cap threads (it is larger than the rest and looks like it was made to accomodate the o-ring). The other was all the way at the top of the cap. Thinking there should only be 1 o-ring, I removed both and re-inserted just 1 back on. It stopped short of the top of the cap in the last groove. Just want to make sure that this is the proper groove for the ring and that it shouldn't be all the way at the end of the cap. As a result, when I hand twisted (both hands) the filter cap back on it bottomed out on the housing (granted I have strong hands), but I would have thought it would still require a wrench.
Thoughts???
 
I haven't taken my GT oil filter off yet; however on a 330 BMW that uses the same filters and maybe housing. Only one O ring is used. How did you get 2? Was the oil changed at a dealer?
 
There is one O ring at the top of the threads.

Cap is tightened to 18 pounds.

Are you sure it was too high? Did you follow the procedures for checking the oil? Needs to be within one minute after you turn it off (dry sump), and between the Min/Max lines (just want to make sure you're not running low now).

Holds 9.5 quarts.
 
Thanks for the feedback. They added 11 quarts. I checked the level after turning off the car and it was well above the max line. When you say the O-ring stops at the top of the threads do you mean it does fit in the last groove of the threads or all the way at the top of the cap. When it fits in the last groove, it will not sandwich between the top of the cap and housing when tightened.
 
There is a grrove between the top of the threads and the "flat" spot that will rest against the housing - so basically at the top of the part of the cap that is still inside the housing

I am not sure what you mean by sandwich - O rings don't function like a gasket which is what I picture as sandwich.

If you were able to tighten it down, sounds like it was in the right spot. If not (if it is still apart), make sure the filter is up all the way (there is a thread I added to about changing your own oil - look at it for more info).

Bigger question would be why did they put on two rings? Are the rings (or is one) the right one or did they not have the proper ring so mickey moused with two.

That's a pretty basic thing for someone that does changes to screw up. Also explains why the oil was too full. They did not know what they were doing. I think I would also look at the cap to make sure they didn't screw it up - crack it.

The Mann Filter number that is the filter Ford uses (in their box) is HU925/4. I think I would get one (lot cheaper than from Ford) and look at the ring that comes with it (the copper washer in the box is a throw away). May be over kill, but something is wrong so you need to make sure what the problem is.

PM me if you have any other questions and I'll send you my phone number.
 
When I did mine last weekend there was one ring near the top. I replaced it in the last groove and I am sure it didn't move when I tightened the filter.
For the o ring to work properly it should be seated in the groove and not compressed between the top of the cap and adapter.
Can't figure out why they would have installed two - or where the second one came from for that matter since the filters only come with one. :rofl
 
FYI

The o-ring placement hence design in this application is to first slide into the actual housing bore and this is where you feel the resistance when turning the cap and then once it is in the bore the final stage it is squeeze during which it compresses both against the cap and the housing bore simultaneously allowing it to performs it sealing task.

It does not require a wrench to perform the installation operation and yet many folks use one however often times it will take one to initially break it loose.

BTW: just to reiterate, there should only be one o-ring and it resides in the wide gap/groove at the top of the threads. This housing design is used by other OEM's as well.

All the best

Shadowman
 
Brought my car in for an oil change. Afterwards I noticed the oil level was about 1.5 qts too high. After sucking out the excess oil I decided to check the oil filter. I noticed there was not 1, but 2 O-ring seals on the cap. One was in the last groove of the cap threads (it is larger than the rest and looks like it was made to accomodate the o-ring). The other was all the way at the top of the cap. Thinking there should only be 1 o-ring, I removed both and re-inserted just 1 back on. It stopped short of the top of the cap in the last groove. Just want to make sure that this is the proper groove for the ring and that it shouldn't be all the way at the end of the cap. As a result, when I hand twisted (both hands) the filter cap back on it bottomed out on the housing (granted I have strong hands), but I would have thought it would still require a wrench.
Thoughts???


Did someone else change your oil before you? Mann supplies an o-ring with the filter, to the common Ford tech who only uses disposable filters, this seal would appear to be uncommon and confusing. Because the filter housing is black, and the o-ring is black, it is not readily apparent that there is an o-ring already installed. One is all you need.
 
Ford's site says 9.5 quarts - http://www.fcsdchemicalsandlubricants.com/supplier/quickref/oilchart.pdf

Thanks for the feedback. They added 11 quarts. I checked the level after turning off the car and it was well above the max line. When you say the O-ring stops at the top of the threads do you mean it does fit in the last groove of the threads or all the way at the top of the cap. When it fits in the last groove, it will not sandwich between the top of the cap and housing when tightened.