Loose Oil Filter?

[MT RX1 Mountain Man]

I had my '07 Apex MTX in the shop earlier this season to have part of the bulk head replaced. A couple of weeks after I got it back I (actually my wife noticed it) noticed oil coming out of the belly pan. After getting it in the garage at home and tearing into it I saw that there was oil leaking from between the filter and motor. I thought maybe they had bumped it or tweaked it when taking the motor out. So I got a new filter and oil and changed it and cleaned everything up. Now about a month and a half later the low oil light came on and I have oil coming out of the belly pan again. I am going to tear into it tonight but I am guessing it's the same thing. Any ideas on what could have caused this and how to remedy it?

Thanks

 

[Snowmobileaddict]

I'll be interested in the replies to this thread.

I have read on many threads that the sleds come from the factory with the filters extremely tight. Lots of people have had to stab the filter with a screwdriver to turn them out.

When I got my '06 at the end of this season, I found that the oil filter was REALLY tight too. My sled was on maybe its 2nd or third dealer oil change.

I had to use a giant set of channel locks and ended up sort of crushing it and twisting it off. Maybe we should be using a oil filter wrench to install them extra tight otherwise they'll vibrate loose?

If so, I'll have to go tighten mine some more.

 

[spddmon]

what filter are you using, i had a couple of fram fail at the crimp and leak looking like the oring was leaking

 

[1CrazySledder]

I use the Yamaha or Amsoil filters, and using the filter socket wrench, I go just a little past snug and haven't had any issues since I've owned these sleds. ( 2005)

Tech note: Always clean the surface area and make sure the old o-ring comes off with the old filter. I also use my finger and wet the new filter surface area then install.

 

[pat the rat]

encountered the same problem on my vector,when i changed the oil this season,there was oil coming from filter,i had installed the previous filter hand tight the season before,there isnt much room when installing the filter on the vector,you cant really have a good grip on it,next time i'll put the wrench on it and give it a little snug

 

[Irv]

encountered the same problem on my vector,when i changed the oil this season,there was oil coming from filter,i had installed the previous filter hand tight the season before,there isnt much room when installing the filter on the vector,you cant really have a good grip on it,next time i'll put the wrench on it and give it a little snug

Just did my Vector and granted there isn't a lot of room but a small metal filter wrench will angle in there, I tightened it up real snug by hand then gave it about a 1/4 turn with the wrench.
If it comes loose, it will be the 1st ever to do so. (always wet the o-ring/seal with fresh oil first)

 

[MT RX1 Mountain Man]

Thanks guys. The first was an Amsoil filter this one is a Yamaha filter. I tried to tighten the Amsoil filter a little more when I first noticed it and that just made it leak faster. I am not sure if the stud the filter screws onto maybe bent, but I don't really think that is it either because it seems fine for a while then after a few trips out it seems to start leaking.

I had thought about a filter relocation kit but I really don't want to add any more weight to the sled especially further forward.

 

[Greasemonkey]

This is a real head scratcher. All my life, I've only hand tightened an oil filter, whether on a quad or snowmobile, pickup or Peterbilt and Macks. I have never had one leak, yet.
You might need that re-location kit if you can't solve it!

 

[1CrazySledder]

I had a relocation kit, they don't weigh enough to mater. Plus think of the convenient location to change the filter without taking half the sled apart!

 

[Crewchief47]

I think you need to figure out what the problem is before you spend the money on a kit that may not solve the problem. Could be a crack, porosity in the block or a bad machining job on the seal surface.....

At any rate, it needs a good looking at.

 

[MT RX1 Mountain Man]

Thanks guys. I guess what really puzzles me is why it is good for so long, generally several rides and then decides to start leaking...