When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
Oil Filter Housing leak/Possible replacement on a 02 ES300 question.
I changed the oil last week on my 2002 es300. Last night I noticed a leak from the oil filter/housing. I changed the oil and put a different filter on to see if it was maybe a bad oil filter. So far no leaks but if it starts leaking again could it be the oil filter housing? Is there an O ring behind there, or a gasket? I can't find any info on the 2002 ES on how to do this job. Any help would be appreciated.
I actually had a similar problem in 2015, and it turned out to be the brand of oil filters. Not sure if the same thing happened again but my car hates factory oil filters. They've always leaked and are smaller than the fram and purolator 10k models.
There is no O-ring or gasket except on the filter itself. This threads into the block the oil filter onto it.
Use Toyota oil fiters they are inexpensive and work every time.
Awesome!!! Those unions ever get leaks? Doesn't seem like something that would ever go bad unless it became stripped.
I think I got a bad batch of OEM Toyota filters a few years back off Ebay. I tried 3 different filters, and everyone of them leaked a little. I switched to fram ultra and haven't had any issues until now. I'll try OEM again but this time from a dealer selling them.
Assume every part on Ebay and Amazon are counterfeit it really is that bad. I'm now reading reports of Denso radiators from Rockauto that are fakes, can't confirm this. Even some genuine Toyota parts are now made in China and Mexico which generally means made to a very low price point and quality suffers.
Another possibility is the old gasket stuck on the flange. This occasionally happens though not often. Since you can’t see the flange easily on these when changing filters, look at the old filter when removing it to make sure the gasket came off with the filter and didn’t detach. Also stick a hand down and feel the flange to make sure an old one is not there. I’ve had that happen before.
The Fram Ultra is a great filter and I’ve used them for multiple OCIs with no problem - up to 20k miles as they are rated for it. Another point is that you can use the 3600 size filter instead of the 3614. Same specs but longer. Holds a little more oil, which is not bad, but it is also easier to install and remove as the top is much more accessible and not stuck as far under the manifold.
Assume every part on Ebay and Amazon are counterfeit it really is that bad. I'm now reading reports of Denso radiators from Rockauto that are fakes, can't confirm this. Even some genuine Toyota parts are now made in China and Mexico which generally means made to a very low price point and quality suffers.
Another possibility is the old gasket stuck on the flange. This occasionally happens though not often. Since you can’t see the flange easily on these when changing filters, look at the old filter when removing it to make sure the gasket came off with the filter and didn’t detach. Also stick a hand down and feel the flange to make sure an old one is not there. I’ve had that happen before.
The Fram Ultra is a great filter and I’ve used them for multiple OCIs with no problem - up to 20k miles as they are rated for it. Another point is that you can use the 3600 size filter instead of the 3614. Same specs but longer. Holds a little more oil, which is not bad, but it is also easier to install and remove as the top is much more accessible and not stuck as far under the manifold.
That was was the first thing I thought of but it was clear and free of an old gasket. I've never had a problem with the Fram Ultra. This last filter was a Purolator 10k mile. I won't be using them again.
Straight cut (also knows as square cut) gaskets don't make sense for an oil filter why are they used? O-ring style is much more reliable there is a reason you see them just about everywhere in a car engine.
Turns out it was either a defective or knockoff purolator 10k oil filter from Walmart.com. I'm done buying car products online from Amazon, Ebay, and Walmart. This could've killed my engine. The only differences I could notice is the seal sits higher, and the blue coating flakes right off. I'm gonna cut it open tomorrow, see what the inside looks like.
Turns out it was either a defective or knockoff purolator 10k oil filter from Walmart.com. I'm done buying car products online from Amazon, Ebay, and Walmart. This could've killed my engine. The only differences I could notice is the seal sits higher, and the blue coating flakes right off. I'm gonna cut it open tomorrow, see what the inside looks like.
If you got it from Walmart.com and not a 3rd party, it was unlikely counterfeit. If 3rd party, no guarantees. However: Paint/coating flaking on legit Purolators is common; often reported on BITOG and other auto sites. Purolator went downhill badly after being bought by Mann+Hummel. I used to use PueOne filters but quit about 10 years ago.
02-09-24, 12:54 PM
Oil Filter Housing leak/Possible replacement on a 02 ES300 question.
