240d leaking quarts per second through filter housing o-ring

[jasonleefreeman]

The car is a 1979 240d 123 chassis.
The problem is described exactly as it has transpired.

1. My wife calls me at work to say that the car is "raining" oil.
2. A few minutes after getting home, I have discovered the o-ring on the filter housing has been pushed out in one spot about .5 to 1 inch wide.
3. The next day, I drained the oil from the pan and got just over 1 quart. I installed a new filter and o-ring and filled with oil. Within seconds of starting the car, I again have oil gushing from the filter housing all around the o-ring.

The oil had been changed a couple months prior to the problem, so it was not a faulty installation of the o-ring the first time. It is possible that I got it wrong the second time, but not likely. It seems that the oil coming into the filter housing is not able to get out and therefore pushing itself out elsewhere.

Thanks for any help.

Jason Freeman

[sokoloff]

Bet there is an old O ring still in there. Sometimes they are hard to see or get out.

Len

[MrCjames]

1) As previously stated, double check to ensure you do not have an extra o-ring hanging out in the seal groove.

2) The mounting studs had a tendency to pull out of the housing due to over tightening, you might want to look at those real close.