<VV> Oil Spray

[airvair at earthlink.net]

One thing I have found that tends to make the oil filter bolt prone to
leaking is that its mating surface is surprisingly uneven. Next time you
have the oil filter off, run a mill file over the top of the adapter
housing gasket surface. You'll be surprised with what you find. Also at the
same time, check to see that the bolt surface is smooth as well.

File the adapter's gasket surface flat, and you'll probably never have it
leak there again. Plus, you won't have to crank down so tight on the bolt
to get it to seal.

-Mark

> [Original Message]
> From: Dave Thompson <dave.thompson at verizon.net>
> Subject: Re: <VV> Oil Spray
>
> The other day, while hanging out at a buddy's "Corvair Garage", one of the
> guys walked over to my Spyder and opened the hood for a look see. He
noticed
> a small drip on the side of my oil filter. He knows how fastidious I am
> about keeping my engine clean. It is usually cleaner than the outside of
the
> car. He proceeded to get a wrench and tightened the top bolt and wiped off
> the filter drip. I thought to myself "How Cool, thanks!".
>
> Later, when I left, about a block away, the oil light came on. I whipped
> around and returned to the garage only to find a large oil trail and a BIG
> puddle under my engine. I opened the hood only to find my usually dry and
> polished clean engine covered in oil. The guy was horrified. 
>
> When the oil filter bolt was tightened, the gasket under the bolt cracked,
> allowing oil under pressure to spray onto the fan belt which slung it all
> over the engine compartment. We replaced the gasket and refilled the oil.
I
> just drove around the block and the leak pumped out almost 4 quarts. 
>
> I told the guy with a smile & laugh: "no good turn goes unpunished" and
> thanked him for the "oil change".
>
> I now carry a spare oil filter bolt gasket in my emergency tool kit.
>
> Dave Thompson
> 63 Spyder vert
> Lakewood, CA