Tom Hartley Posted July 25, 2020 Report Share Posted July 25, 2020 I have the original oil filter setup on my Vitesse, with the canister inside the metal housing and the long bolt through the middle. It leaks. Not badly, except when you first start her up and reverse out of the garage. A little black line of drips about half an inch apart. I've done the bolt up as tight as I dare - it'll shear or strip something if I do it any more. I removed the old seal and fitted the new one when I changed the filter. And refitted it again after I first spotted it leaking. Still bloody leaks. It's keeping the chassis from rusting, at least Any top tips? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Lewis Posted July 25, 2020 Report Share Posted July 25, 2020 its not uncommon for an old seal to be jammed down in its recess i would have a deeper probe for another ( 2nd or 3rd ) oldie lurking getting a visual is not easy with the side screens fitted as the recess is stepped and this causes the fun of fingering in a new seal ontop of old ones . def dont keep tightening the thro bolt ive seen one that over exuberance ripped the casting apart nearly wrecked the block , Pete Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colin Lindsay Posted July 25, 2020 Report Share Posted July 25, 2020 Possibly not the seal, but distortion of the metal canister? Check the edges for evenness on a flat surface. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NonMember Posted July 25, 2020 Report Share Posted July 25, 2020 I was going to say the same as both Pete and Colin. I have a spare canister (Tessa's got a spin-on conversion and her original was in the box of bits) that I could bring to a Cambridge area gathering next time one happens, if you think that might help. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter Truman Posted July 25, 2020 Report Share Posted July 25, 2020 I agree with Pete's comment re a missed second rubber seal being in there. My cousin in the 60's blew his new Mini Cooper engine doing that leaving the seal in and putting another in it pumped all the oil out in less than a trip round the block! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Lewis Posted July 25, 2020 Report Share Posted July 25, 2020 Ha I found this on a first oil change when i bought the Vit6 , going to an early Duxford event emptied the sump but a new filter and can of oil followed by much grovelling on the grass found the Tee shirt for that cock up the stepped recess is misleading ............ good learning curve Pete Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mathew Posted July 25, 2020 Report Share Posted July 25, 2020 10 hours ago, Pete Lewis said: def dont keep tightening the thro bolt ive seen one that over exuberance ripped the casting apart nearly wrecked the block , Pete Got the t shirt for doing that on a gt6. Managed to tap enough on what was left but a close thing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dougbgt6 Posted July 26, 2020 Report Share Posted July 26, 2020 And another for the unnoticed second seal! Didn't believe I'd done it, till I checked, then kept quite! One of the reasons I went for the spin on/off conversion. Doug Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
68vitesse Posted July 26, 2020 Report Share Posted July 26, 2020 Have a Mk1 2L Vitesse with the original oil filter setup, all the above and make sure the new seal is not twisted as has a square section. Thought I had a leak but the oil was just running down from the petrol pump, never been able to get a new seal for it. Regards Paul Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ian Foster Posted July 26, 2020 Report Share Posted July 26, 2020 Tom There is another potential source of leakage around the head of the bolt. I have attached two photos of my canister, showing a rubber seal (sort of a square section O ring) that fits over the bolt shank and into a recess in the filter body. Might be worth checking whether you have this. If not it might be possible to make one from an offcut of hose. Regards Ian Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Lewis Posted July 26, 2020 Report Share Posted July 26, 2020 and to add not all canister filter elements have that small seal in the box Pete Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Hartley Posted July 26, 2020 Author Report Share Posted July 26, 2020 Thanks so much for all your learned experiences. After disappointingly learning that there wasn't an easy fix to be had or stupid oversight by me earlier, I was inspired to open it and have another look. Sure enough, there was a section about two inches long that was twisted by 90' when I put it in. Twice, I might add. With lots more light and lots more checking I managed to get it back in without the twist and lo and behold no leak.* Thanks guys Tom * although it's early days and it may yet come back of course. Fingers crossed Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnD Posted July 26, 2020 Report Share Posted July 26, 2020 Well done, Tom! Not only a cure, but a diagnosis! the second makes it even better! A couple of years ago, I had to retire from the Bo'ness hillclimb because I had a small oil leak from the same place. The seal had beeen fitted new, and was a couple of years old, but when I got it out, it was much harder and stiffer than another new one. I fear the quality of rubber used in many parts, from that to engine mounts, is not what it was. John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Lewis Posted July 26, 2020 Report Share Posted July 26, 2020 its the twist............... contagious little swine pleased its sorts have faith it will be ok for many miles Pete Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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