Oil Filter Housing (Everything To Know)

While the oil circulates through the engine, it passes through an oil filter to maintain cleanliness.

Your engine and oil filter are attached by a mount called the oil filter housing.

In this article, we are going to discuss everything you need to know about the oil filter housing, oil filter housing leaks, and how you can go about an oil filter housing leak.

Let’s get started!

What Is Oil Filter Housing?

Simply put, an oil filter housing is a housing for oil filters within the engine bay. Oil filter housings keep the oil filter firmly in place by linking it to the engine. Precisely, it is a system that offers a perfect and secured area where the oil filter can function properly.

Oil filter housings are usually located next to the engine cover, making them easily accessible whenever they are needed.

But why is the oil filter housing very crucial in a vehicle?

Many years ago, you could not replace or work on your oil filters without first loosening the entire canister and then changing the oil filter after changing the O-ring and adding more oil.

Now fast forward to the present, and you’ll notice that there has been a lot of progress, as your oil filter housing will not just enable you to access your filter, but it is also practical, effective, saves labor charges, and enhances free and easier filtration without leakages of any kind.

The oil filter housing is very strong, and since it is often located in the engine bay, it tends to last for a very long time, which is why most oil filter housing leakages result from bad engine oil or clogged oil filters.

However, the only vulnerability of the oil filter housing comes from the oil filter housing gasket.

Also Read: How Much Oil Does My Car Need?

Oil Filter Housing Leak

“To every effect, there is a cause.” Something must have occurred for the oil filter housing in your vehicle to leak.

It is either because the oil filter housing is loosely attached, which causes it to come loose and leak oil, or the filter is too tightly attached, which causes a damaged gasket and an oil filter housing leak.

You might also discover leaks whenever you change the oil and the housing is glued to the previous filter. As soon as the new filter is installed, it means you’ve inadvertently gotten two gaskets, resulting in a leak and subsequent burst.

A new oil filter housing gasket can become unseated, bind, or crimp during installation, resulting in an oil filter housing leak.

Gasket aside, you’ve to ensure that no damage is done to the soft metal threads on the filter’s edge. Again, it could also be that you have the wrong filter since most filters look alike yet are specific to particular engines. Therefore, check properly to ensure they are compatible.

It’s possible that damage to the engine’s oil filter housing causes leaks or that excessive dirt in the mating surface between the filter and housing allows oil to escape.

Finally, if the filter is subjected to constant disturbance, it might be physically damaged, resulting in leaks.

Symptoms You Need Oil Filter Housing Replacement

Oil leaks can be found in the engine
Visible crack in The oil filter housing
poor oil filter performance.
A sputtering engine
Noisy metallic sound
Low oil pressure
Dirty exhaust could also be a sign that you need an oil filter housing replacement

Oil Filter Housing Replacement

As long as you’re driving properly, the oil filter shouldn’t require any replacement.

However, when you discover that it has developed a leak from gaskets or crack in the oil filter housing, then you need an oil filter housing replacement as soon as possible.

Remember that A failure may not be caused by the oil filter housing itself but instead by the oil filter gasket.

What Is the Total Cost of Replacing an Oil Filter Housing?

On average, oil filter housing replacement costs between $170 to $650. Although, sometimes, the cost may vary with different vehicle make and model.

How Is Oil Filter Housing Replacement Carried Out?

Examine the oil leak and determine whether it is caused by the oil filter housing.00.
Find the location of the oil filter housing. To remove the oil filter housing, you will need to lift the car on a hoist or remove other parts.
Next, drain the engine oil.
After that, loosen the oil filter housing from the engine bay and install the new one.
Reattach the detached components and bring down the car.
Fill up the engine with oil and test run it to make sure there aren’t any leaks

Tips to Remember

Most times, the engine oil leakage is not caused by the oil filter housing itself but by the oil filter gasket
It is advisable to replace the engine oil and filter simultaneously with the oil filter housing or gasket.

Check out this video for more tips on oil filter housing replacement

Also Read: Bad Oil Pump Symptoms & Replacement Cost

Frequently Asked Questions

How Long Does It Take To Replace the Oil Filter Housing Gasket?

Replacing an oil filter housing gasket could take a professional mechanic not more than 2 hours to fulfill. But for a beginner, it should take about 4 to 6 hours.

What Causes Oil Filter Housing to Leak?

Oil contamination, poor gaskets, and seals are the main causes of oil filter housing leaks. Several things can result in leakage of the oil filter housing, but the most common among them is poor maintenance. If you go too long between oil changes, it can lead to a breakdown of oil and causes the oil to be prone to contamination.

What Does Oil Filter Housing Do?

The most significant role of an oil filter housing is to connect the oil filter to the engine by keeping it safe in one position. It houses the oil filter inside the engine bay. To be precise, oil filter housing offers a secured environment for the oil filter to function effectively.