TERRIBLE Oil leak, please help!!

[w261w261]

I need to replace the oil filter base gasket on my se-i as well, but i'm scared to do it after my thermostat debacle (heads of both thermostat housing bolts snapped off). I'm worried about the heads on the oil filter base bolts snapping off and being that those are the exact same bolts as on the thermostat (same part number) and that they screw directly into the block, breaking those would basically be the end of my car for me.

I went after those oil filter base bolts a couple of years ago, and I'm sure that it was the first time since 1989 that anyone had put a wrench on them. You're right to be concerned, cause I'm pretty sure the motor would have to come out to fix a bolt that snapped off in the block. Mine were fine, but then again I've done the thermostat twice with no problems either.

I would say liberal applications of penetrating oil over a week and then don't go at them like Godzilla. Judging from the number of people that have done this repair, the problems have been few, so the odds are wit' you.

[lostforawhile]

I believe the torque spec for the thermostat was something like 7 ft-lbs and those bolt heads snapped off.



That makes me feel a little better, but i'm still just a little nervous about attempting this repair, as easy as it should be.

if yours is leaking you need to fix it, if the O ring gasket has gotten that bad, it's possible it could fail completely going down the road. If that happens you'll lose all your oil pressure. that O ring gasket is under the same pressure as the oil pump housing gasket.

[nfs480]

Right now i'm losing about 1/2 a quart every 3000 miles through that gasket, and I really do want to replace it, I'm just worried that i'm going to make problems worse by doing so.

[lostforawhile]

Right now i'm losing about 1/2 a quart every 3000 miles through that gasket, and I really do want to replace it, I'm just worried that i'm going to make problems worse by doing so.

only thing to worry about is the three bolts, unscrew the sender from the top, don't worry about the rubber boot over the sender, it's probably just shot anyway, i just ripped mine off. take off the sender, take out the three bolts and it comes right off. when you put the new o ring gasket in, put a little bit of Vaseline on it to hold it to the oil filter base. it will just dissolve in the oil, and won't affect the gasket sealing. torque the three bolts properly and it's done. it's really easy to do.
here's another thread on this same problem
https://www.3geez.com/forum/showthread.php?t=61745
here's my setup

[car6289]

Lost:

Do you call your hood an engine cowl? Your setup looks great but it reminds me of that evil four letter word, work.