Anyone in cold country run into this one? Oil filter leaking because of cold?

I don't usually drive my rig in the winter. However, for the past few weeks I have been driving daily with very cold temps. Been -20 in the mornings and never above 0 during the days for the last two weeks or so. Warmed up today and I was cleaning under the hood when I noticed oil with the salt spray on the underside of the hood. Huh? Well I got looking around and there was oil down below the oil filter as well as in the the tray that is such a PIA to clean when doing a change. Filter is on tight-as in I could not move it either way by hand, but clearly there was some leakage at the filter. I don't torque the filter, but in 48 years of working on cars the only problem I have ever had with a filter is when I forgot to put the silly thing back on. Anyway, just wondering if anyone has experienced anything like this before. Teach me to take my truck out in the cold...

 

Interesting.... Toyota filter?

 

Never had that problem. Even when -24 F.

 

I have experienced this. I was using Napa Platinum filters and 0w20 synthetic. It seemed to be pushing oil past the filter gasket at startup below -20f. It did that all last winter with two different Napa Platinum filters. This year (my second winter with the truck) I’m using Napa Gold filters and haven’t had the leak.

My theory is that the super-fine filtration of the Platinum was causing pressure to go high enough to push past the gasket for a few seconds.

 

Good to know. I’ll have to keep an eye on this.

 

It’s to damn cold to open my hood.

 

I had that problem a few years ago. It was an STP oil filter. Leaked at the seam.

 

I just looked and doesn't appear that the 2nd gen filter has leaked at all. We've seen some negative 20 degree days.
I've only ever used Toyota filters. 2013 V6 approaching 100k miles.
In case you weren't aware there is a drain at the bottom of the housing/oil catch funnel. I pop that cap off and stick a empty water bottle under there to catch what drains out while removing the filter. Not often but I have give it a shot of brake cleaner after the new filter is installed before removing the bottle and replacing the black rubber cap over the drain.

 

NAPA Platinum... Hum, a trend.

 

I use oem filters.

 

Interesting.

 

Very!

 

I also use a catch, but I wipe and wipe to get it spotless. Still messy though.

 

Oil the new oring prior to install otherwise it may kink the new oring causing it to fail prematurely. I’d suggest changing out to oem filter, they aren’t much more expensive than 3rd party

 

Never had this problem.

I'd suggest changing your filter. It is likely that it may be defective or installed incorrectly.

I have a habit of placing a little oil in filter threads and a light film on the filter gasket prior to install. Then spin it on, when gasket makes contact, turn about 1/4 turn more. Never had a leaking filter. I've had cars in < -25F, no filter leaks.

 

Yeah, oiling gaskets is an underutilized approach. It's been as cold as -50F here this winter, I've never had a vehicle leak at the filter.

 

I just had this exact issue with a Motorcraft filter that was put on by the used car dealer. As soon as temps dropped I started noticing oil spots in my driveway and it was the filter leaking. Replaced it with a Wix and problem solved.

 

Only oil filters I ever had a problem with were the 'orange' ones (only twice, years ago). Used Napa Gold (which is Wix btw) exclusively since, for years, never a problem.
My unscientific, spit-ball, guess, is that condensation is freezing in the filter at these very low temps causing restriction, leading to seepage. Especially in a stored/rarely driven vehicle where condensation is a very real thing. YMMV