Engine Coolant leak from oil filter

[jr273]

Hi guys, I have replaced the oil filter on my 2001 4.6 litre 32 valve engine three times now using different brands of filter and still have a small coolant leak coming from where the filter screws into the housing. Am I missing something when replacing the filter? Leak is about 10 drops per day so does not affect performance but it is just annoying and I do not want it to get worse. Any help you could give would be appreciated.

 

[gkomo]

I’m assuming just a typo when you said ‘coolant’? This is purely an engine oil leak at the filter to filter housing connection?

Can you visibly see any cracks on the surface? Are you able to lay a straight edge on to make sure it’s not warped?

 

[jr273]

thanks for your comments but it is definitely green coolant not oil. I will check for cracks as you suggested though.

 

[gkomo]

I’m not familiar with the 4.6’s but what’s above the filter on the engine? Anything that could be leaking coolant down onto the filter housing?

 

[jr273]

Yeh that is what I thought as well so I checked that thourghly and even put some dye in the coolant tank ran for 200 miles and check with UV light and no signs of any other leak except from the oil filter connection. That’s why I am really stumped. All suggestions are welcome thanks.

 

[gkomo]

4.6’s don’t have some built in oil cooling system that has engine coolant running through the filter housing or something along those lines do they?

 

[jr273]

Yes the quad cam motors do have that but I cannot seem to find the source of the leak

 

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[Pinellas50]

A coolant system pressure tester often works well in trying to find unusual leaks like this. You can rent one from an auto parts store.

 

[squeak93]

Very common for the cast housing to start leaking with age. Either replace it or try to find the source/area of the leak and use something like jb weld or quick steel to seal it off. (I've done that before on a 96 cobra and it worked like a charm). Call it a hack or call it a way to save 650 or whatever the above part cost.