I have a 98 4runner 4-cyl. I have started to have a problem with oil leaking from the oil filter seal. When it first started leaking, I did an oil change and changed the filter. It has been fine for awhile (1.5 months) but now it is starting to drip again. Any suggestions?

 

When you are changing the oil, you need to put oil around the seal of the filter. This will act like a suction cup to give you a better seal.

 

There are several reasons filters leak from the gasket. Here are the main two:

DO NOT use grease to lube the gasket. Big no no.

DO NOT overtighten the filter. Spin it on until the gasket contacts the mount, then 3/4 turn further. no more, no less. If you need to, use a sharpie mark on the filter to tell when it's turned adequately. Sounds silly, but overtightening can rip the gasket internally and cause leaks. It can also cause the gasket to compress too much, and it can lose its memory (its resiliency). Most people tend to overtighten the gasket. This goes for professional and DIY installers. Clean the mounting base on the engine with a clean rag before installing a new filter.

 

I recomend cleaning gasket surface well and using a factory toyota filter.

 

also remember when you take the oil filter OFF to check to see if any of the seal is still attached to the motor. no kiddin i have had that happen, parts of the old oil filter seal was came off the filter and was stuck on the block. i went to put the new one on with out double checking and a week later i had oil everywhere and the oil light came on.. very close call.. thank god it wasnt my truck haha

 

Thanks, this was really helpful.....

 

I did this ONCE and as soon as I started it up had about 4 quarts of oil on the floor, and exhaust pipes. New oil is very hard to wipe up.