Oil filter O-ring pinched???

[jsslye]

I did my break-in oil change a couple weeks ago and since it's the end of the season, I didn't do much more than fire it up, warm it up, shut it down and make sure the oil level in the tank was correct. I fired it up yesterday after I changed the chain case oil and as it was warming up, the engine oil dumped and created a mini-Valdez on my shop floor. After my heart attack subsided, I got underneath and the oil filter was still nice and tight, but I noticed that the oil filter O-ring was maybe bulging out a just little. No, the O-ring from the old filter was not stuck on there - it came off with the old filter and I always clean the mounting surface with a clean rag an apply a light amount of new oil to it, as well as a little oil to the new O-ring as well of course. Back when I put the new filter on, did the O-ring somehow get out of place and out of the little groove it is in and get bound up? That's the only thing I can think of and I am still freaked out because in 30 years of doing my own oil changes on my cars, bikes, trucks, and sleds I have never once had an issue. And I am not newbie to this motor because my 2009 Nytro had 9000 miles on it - I did 6 oil changes on that one alone! Cannondale27 or one of you other Viper SME's - did I pinch the O-ring???

 

[SaskAttack]

Spin it off and have a look, if you change enough filters odds are that someday it will happen. Good place to catch it!

 

[jsslye]

Yeah I took the O-ring off and put it back on. It doesn't look damaged, but I think I am going to put a new-new filter on. My dealer was closed yesterday so I couldn't get that or oil, so it sits. I agree - good place to catch it, but now I am going to be under there with my dental mirror checking it all the way around to make sure it's seated properly.

 

[Sevey]

Sounds like you are well versed with changing oil and you lubricate the filter's o-ring and the surface area where it mounts - so its not as though it would stick. I think the best thing is to do what you are doing, replace it and run it again and watch.

The previous comment - about good place to catch it - I second that.
MS

 

[SaskAttack]

Yes, the price of a new filter is well worth peace of mind when you are a zillion miles from home. But, if it doesn't leak right away, should be good to go. Grew up in and around an automotive shop/bus company so it does happen but only very rarely, fuel filters leaking are way more interesting!

 

[cannondale27]

Yes just chalk it up to bad luck but new filter would give piece of mind. Good warning for everyone though myself included. Is always good to oil the oring like said and now I am going to be really looking at it to make sure its in filter right. I always put the filter on by hand also. Hopefully could feel something weird as its being tightened. Shold be able to "feel" it bottom and not be squishy.

 

[jsslye]

Thanks everyone. New filter on, added new oil, warmed it up to operating temp and checked everything for the 1000th time - it's all good. Yesterday I had drained the oil tank because I was interested to see in how much was left in there after shutdown - about 1.25 quarts were left in the oil tank, so doing quick math there is only about 2.25 quarts in the motor at any given time while it's running.

 

[Bruss]

Thanks everyone. New filter on, added new oil, warmed it up to operating temp and checked everything for the 1000th time - it's all good. Yesterday I had drained the oil tank because I was interested to see in how much was left in there after shutdown - about 1.25 quarts were left in the oil tank, so doing quick math there is only about 2.25 quarts in the motor at any given time while it's running.

Pardon the really late update here, but this fits the problem I encountered yesterday. I picked up a 2015 Viper LTX-LE in March and am slowly performing piece of mind maintenance. The sled has 726 miles on it and appears cherry.

Drained the oil and changed filter using the Viper oil change kit. All went well until seating the filter. Oiled filter face and “O” ring and tightened with hand. Felt snug, but was curious to the torque call out. Crossed my fingers and started the machine. Oil immediately poured out from filter on garage floor. Shut it down and hand tightened even more. Topped off oil and same issue. Have a k&n filter coming today with more oil. Unless others have additional comments, planning on torquing the K&N as it has the nut welded on. KN147. Already added 4th wheel kit and regreased skid and bearings I could get to. Any other thoughts on items to look at? Pondering the clutch cleaning now. This is my first sled btw!
Thanks

 

[Yamajon1]

Make sure that the old gasket came off with the old filter and it’s not double gasket’d.

 

[ateick]

Double gasket is your likely culprit although it sounds like you oiled the gasket on the new filter and the faceplate on the sled. If you did that you would have noticed a gasket stuck to it.

KN-147 is correct filter. Tighten by hand and then throw a cloth over it and tighten it some more by hand until it will not tighten anymore. It will not need to be any tighter than what you accomplish by hand.

PS -- You should not need to use that nut except to take it off. If you do use it - no more than a quarter turn after you have it hand tight.

 

[Bruss]

Gents,

I appreciate both responses. I will double check the filter connection, but didn’t see anything there.

My first thought was “what wasn’t disclosed about the sled”. When I bought it, I called dealer it was purchased from and they confirmed it was as good as advertised, so I do have that confidence. I’ll tread lightly and see what happens!

 

[ateick]

Make sure that the copper washer on drain plug #2 that's located by the oil filter is there and in good shape also.

I'm sure it will all work out. If you've had it running with no leaks before and all you've done is the oil change then the leak can only be a product of the 4 things you touched to do the change -- two drain plugs, oil filter and dry sump cap.

 

[cannondale27]

I did my break-in oil change a couple weeks ago and since it's the end of the season, I didn't do much more than fire it up, warm it up, shut it down and make sure the oil level in the tank was correct. I fired it up yesterday after I changed the chain case oil and as it was warming up, the engine oil dumped and created a mini-Valdez on my shop floor. After my heart attack subsided, I got underneath and the oil filter was still nice and tight, but I noticed that the oil filter O-ring was maybe bulging out a just little. No, the O-ring from the old filter was not stuck on there - it came off with the old filter and I always clean the mounting surface with a clean rag an apply a light amount of new oil to it, as well as a little oil to the new O-ring as well of course. Back when I put the new filter on, did the O-ring somehow get out of place and out of the little groove it is in and get bound up? That's the only thing I can think of and I am still freaked out because in 30 years of doing my own oil changes on my cars, bikes, trucks, and sleds I have never once had an issue. And I am not newbie to this motor because my 2009 Nytro had 9000 miles on it - I did 6 oil changes on that one alone! Cannondale27 or one of you other Viper SME's - did I pinch the O-ring???

Not sure what happened. If you could see the O-ring bulging out the filter was not seated all the way though. I have always put my filters on by hand and never had a issue. I think the O-ring must have gotten out of the groove like you said.

 

[Bruss]

Make sure that the copper washer on drain plug #2 that's located by the oil filter is there and in good shape also.

I'm sure it will all work out. If you've had it running with no leaks before and all you've done is the oil change then the leak can only be a product of the 4 things you touched to do the change -- two drain plugs, oil filter and dry sump cap.

Started troubleshooting at 0445 this as I couldn’t sleep! Low and behold the entire O ring from the used filter was still on. I guess I looked right through it when installing new filter. I’m so dumb. Anyhow, chucked new filter in trash as I probably had that way too tight. K&N is on and didn’t need to use the new oil. Problem solved. I appreciate everyone throwing in the knowledge.