I have a 1996 VW Jetta GLS with the gasoline engine and automatic
transmission.

I recently changed the oil and oil filter. The filter I used was a
Fram. Shortly after I noticed that it started leaking oil around the
filter. So I replace the filter with another Fram and again it started
leaking oil. However, the second time the leak was so bad that the oil
looked like it was leaking from the oil pan gasket. I replaced the oil
pan gasket and kept the same Fram filter only to find out there is no
leak at the oil pan gasket but at the filter (or around it). When I
removed the first Fram filter and looked at the filter base, it looked
fine. The filter seal seemed fine too.

I am trying to find out if either Fram filters (which I have used for
20 years) are suddenly defective or if VW Jetta 2.0 motors have a
problem around the oil filter base.

Any one with information PLEASE advise.

In article <1175579512.596289.153390 (AT) p15g2000hsd (DOT) googlegroups.com>,
dor (AT) writeme (DOT) com says...
Make sure there's no junk, or an old filter base seal, on the sealing
surface the filter screws onto.

Also double check the filters are the correct size Check another
brand and compare the seal sizes.

IIRC, the base the filter screws onto is an oil cooler. Most times I've
heard it fail the coolant and oil mix, but I imagine, not knowing any
better, that it could fail by leaking oil externally <shrug>. It would
be weird tho'.

BTW, Fram filters aren't 'suddenly' defective. There have been critics
of how cheap their construction has been for 5-10 years. (check Google)
Their spin on filters were banned from one of the motorcycle racing
circuits for at least awhile after a couple incidents where they blew
off the bike, dumping the crankcase's contents, and the rider, onto the
track surface.

I'd use 'em in a pinch, but mostly I use Bosch or Mahle <?> filters on
the VW.

Mark
'95 Jetta GLS

"David" <dor (AT) writeme (DOT) com> wrote


Make sure you haven't left the old gasket on the engine.
Baz

You need to check where that oil is coming from.
Oil pressure switch, but you would see that.
Oil cooler has a seal between it and the oil filter mount.
Oil Filter has it's own seal and I doubt if this is your problem unless you
have two seals installed.

The stud that holds both the oil cooler and the oil filter to the oil filter
mount might be loose or the nut that secures the oil cooler may be loose.
If I had to vote on what is wrong I would say the oil cooler seal is bad.

ALSO get a proper oil filter like MANN, but I guess you might find other
brands locally that are considered better than Fram. I think Purolators and
even Bosch are better than Fram. ;-)
--
later,
dave
(One out of many daves)

"David" <dor (AT) writeme (DOT) com> wrote

I second this. It happens, and it leads to very sudden leaking right
after a filter change. Once you have it happen, you will always check
to make sure the old gasket came off with the old filter before putting
the new one on. On a related note, I've also learned the hard way to
inspect filters at the store to see if they've been dropped and dented
or bent. I always take them out of the box and then look at them from
the side to see if the gasket and mounting surfaces are flat and true.

David,

I own a 1996 Jetta GLS w/standard transmission. Last year the o-ring
above the oil cooler developed a crack. Six months prior to that, an
oil pressure sensor blew a leak in its diaphragm. My manual shows two
sensors. One is above the cooler assembly. The cooler is held in
place by one large nut. Remove the filter, and the nut will be seen
under it. The filter, nut, cooler and o-ring are all concentric on
the shaft that the filter mounts to. The o-ring is like 2-1/4" in
diameter.

Good luck

ps - There is also a filter housing-to-engine block gasket, but I
haven't had any problems with it.

In article <1175579512.596289.153390 (AT) p15g2000hsd (DOT) googlegroups.com>,
David <dor (AT) writeme (DOT) com> wrote:
I read all the responses and so far nobody mentioned anything about
having a possible high oil pressure. This usually happens to American
V8 engines where the oil pressure is so high, it blows out the oil filter
at the first high rev. The other responses were quite good. I would try
a MANN oil filter or something other than FRAM. Try STP or a Mobile one
filter?

--
Jeeps and dubs and everything's nice...

have had problems with the O ring above the oil cooler. I have never heard
of these oil leaks except in nasty cold weather... anyway you need to take
the stud that the oil filter screws on off. There is a nut on the top. or
you can work a deep socket and swivel (1 1/16 Think) and slid the cooler
down. You can work from the top and get the old special O ring off (it is a
Pain) clean the surface and install the new ring without draining the
coolant (leave coolant hoses on cooler) Not bad job after you do it once...
First time is a pain.. common problem on 93-99. If you have the Bentley book
there is a picture on page 17-1 but really just look and the O ring fits
between the cooler and the bracket (the peice that has the oil pressure
sender switch on it).

"David" <dor (AT) writeme (DOT) com> wrote