Oil Leak around oil filter

[4DoorSi]

So, I'm leaking oil very slowly from around the oil filter.  The filter is on tight.  I've changed the oil and filter, and it's still leaking.  Any thoughts?

[ducpainter]

Define tight.

[4DoorSi]

beyond hand tight.  I have a strap wrench, and it's about as tight as I can get it with that.

It's a ducati filter, so it's nice and slippery.  None of that lovely gritty stuff Fram puts on theirs.

[ducpainter]

beyond hand tight.  I have a strap wrench, and it's about as tight as I can get it with that.

It's a ducati filter, so it's nice and slippery.  None of that lovely gritty stuff Fram puts on theirs.

That 'should' be tight enough.

Try making it absolutely as tight as you can get it.

If that doesn't work maybe you actually have a bad seal on the filter.

[4DoorSi]

I don't think it's the filter.  It's brand new, and the last one leaked too.

Is it possible something cracked down there? 

[Howie]

Remove the filter, clean and inspect.  With a strap wrench, 7/8 turn after contact should do it.  I assume you are cleaning the mating surface and coating the gasket with oil.

[booger]

I don't think it's the filter.  It's brand new, and the last one leaked too.

Is it possible something cracked down there? 

Only one way to find out, drop the oil.

Check to make sure you don't have two seals stacked on top of one another trying to seal it, sometimes when you do an oil change & pull the old filter the seal sticks to the engine and if you're not paying attention you will have a doppelganger seal situation which will then leak. Watch out tightening with a strap wrench, they will dent the filter. Better to use a fitted oil filter socket or some rubber gloves.
Oil filters seal quite well at hand tight. Make sure the sealing surface is kosher, sounds like it isn't. I've never heard of a crack but anything can happen.

[DoWorkSon]

Clean area where filter makes contact with bike... Could be some old gasket or other crud that is caked on and preventing a tight seal...

If you see anything take a razor and scrape it off.....

[metallimonster]

Only one way to find out, drop the oil.

Oil filters seal quite well at hand tight. Make sure the sealing surface is kosher, sounds like it isn't. I've never heard of a crack but anything can happen.

I disagree for some reason you have to wrench the crap out of Ducati filters to get them not to leak.  I've changed the oil on every type of vehicle and I've never seen anything like it.  I tighten mine about twice as much as I think should be good and they finally don't leak.

[Triple J]

I've had issues with Ducati filters leaking at only hand tight...never had a problem with a K&N though. Not sure why, but I just always use K&N...plus they have the nut on the bottom for safety wiring and easy filter removal. 

[elgallo73]

I had similar issues with the OEM filter, it seemed to require an inordinate amount of torque to properly seal.  The easiest fix, find another brand.  I know K&N, Baldwin, Napa, and a host of others make decent filters which fit properly and won't leak.  If you google "UFI 23.105.00", you should find a link to a file with the specs on the stock filter.

If you are feeling more adventurous, do what I did and install an adapter to modify the thread size from 16M to 3/4-16, then you have about 50 more choices...

[ducatiz]

  I assume you are cleaning the mating surface and coating the gasket with used oil.

Coating with used oil actually prevents it from sticking due to the dirt in it.

Sounds like he's got an oring stuck in there.

[4DoorSi]

well I did drop the oil once already.  I felt around the mating surface, and didn't feel anything.  Unfortunately, I can't fit my head under there to look.  Maybe I'll have to risk getting oil on my wifes hand mirror to look.  Def didn't double stack the gaskets either.  Maybe I'll try another brand filter. 

have to get a clean pan so I can reuse the oil....too expensive to keep wasting brand new oil.

I guess teh conclusion is the filter still isn't tight enough, so I'll go at it again.

Thanks guys

[booger]

have to get a clean pan so I can reuse the oil....too expensive to keep wasting brand new oil.

Yeah, just get a clean pan & pour the oil back in. You just want to find out why your filter keeps leaking.

[MonsterHPD]

I think some engines just are like that. Not very satisfactory as an explanation, but after all they are Ducati engines .

My M900 does the same, no matter how hard I tighten the filter, after a few 1000 km there will be a drop of oil on the ground. Each time, I tighten a little more (using a band type wrench) and it stops, maybe for the summer, maybe not.

Just to make sure I don't loose the filter, I have made a hose clamp that fits around the filter, safety wiring that to the oil plug so I have some security on both.