On the oil filter housing, about 3/4 of the way down, the oil filter housing stays wet with oil which collects dirt. I don't lose much oil, no drips on the ground. I thought the oil cooler lines might be in need of replacing, but at the oil cooler they are dry. At the oil filter housing, the wetness starts well above and around from the lines.

Are there gaskets or something in the oil filter housing that need to be replaced periodically, ie rebuild the housing?

__________________
1981 240D, Auto Trans, 160k miles -- CRASHED!

The gasket between the oil filter housing and block is a notorious "leaker". You might try tightening the allens. As I remember I had to chop down an allen wrench to get at one of the bolts.

__________________


1985 Euro 240D 5 spd 140K
1979 240D 5 spd, 40K on engine rebuild
1994 Dodge/Cummins, 5 spd, 121K
1964 Allice Chalmers D15 tractor
2014 Kubota L3800 tractor
1964 VW bug

"Lifes too short to drive a boring car"