Just did the once over for our Thankgiving trip, and upon backing out to park the car most of the oil was lost! It appears to have originated in the vicinity of the oil filler cap or filter - could this be a blown gasket or seal? Would this be common with 97K miles? Definately near the front left (driver side) - I can't see well because it's dark out now and getting late, and snowing.

Please help, thanks friends.

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Francis E. Abate
Automotive Restoration & Preservation
Sheet metal, trim and upholstery

Are you sure it is engine oil? Maybe power steering clamp/hose came loose. It is known problem.
Mike

As it turns out, it is the oil filter gasket - I adjusted it tonight because it was not all the way up against the filter housing surface when I changed the oil a couple months ago. It was holding oil, but showed a little leaking, and I didn't think it was right but left it then. I figured I would correct that tonight, but had to coax the gasket up one more notch above the threads of the filter housing to seat it (what I believe is the way it's meant to be).

Possibly I damaged it? Made it too loose/tight? It is a NAPA product, not MB - what do you think?

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Francis E. Abate
Automotive Restoration & Preservation
Sheet metal, trim and upholstery

The O ring might be damaged because it got caught in the threads of the filter housing... I would buy and install new O ring, and top your oil level off before you take your trip.

That makes sense to me, becasue the O-ring was sitting on the top thread originally. Can you buy these separately, or do I need a whole new filter assy? If not, not sure I should look for a substitute at the hardware store and take the chance of ot not being the right quality.

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Francis E. Abate
Automotive Restoration & Preservation
Sheet metal, trim and upholstery

I doubt it... You might have to buy a new oil filter...