leaking LR installed oil filters?

[toddjb122]

For the 3rd (possibly 4th) time since I've owned my vehicle a dealer installed oil filter left a puddle in my driveway. On prior occasions it was within 500 miles of the oil change. This time it was after 2000 miles.

Each time my Rockville, MD dealer honors the work, repairs things, and blames a faulty oil filter.

Is this happening to anyone else? This issue is spread over a few years but it seems kind of odd. Prior to owning the LR3 I changed all my own oil. In almost 20 years of doing so I never had a bad filter. I don't think I'd even have a dripping nut. If you make sure the threads are clean and put everything on snug and inspect after you run the engine for a bit, you can be pretty certain it'll be solid until your next oil change. These are pretty basic parts we're talking about.

So, is this actually a part failure or just service techs not taking the time to do the simple tasks correctly?
I'm thinking they are either cross threading the filter, not putting it on snug, not cleaning off the seal or just plain not tightening the filter. But maybe there is actually a failure in the LR oil filter seals, which one service tech alluded to. This time the manger said they have had a problem with the LR filters. If that's true, someone else here should have seen the same puddle in their driveway.

 

[hell pie]

I did have a large oil puddle once a while back after the dealer had done an oil change. The problem showed up the next day after the LR had been sitting in the garage. I simply assumed it was a case of either the drain plug or oil filter not being properly tightened. The dealer fixed the problem, but didn't offer an explanation of what had happened, nor did I question them about it. Now that I am out of warranty, I have done the last three or four oil changes myself with the factory oil filter and have not had any leakage issues.

 

[toddjb122]

I did have a large oil puddle once a while back after the dealer had done an oil change. The problem showed up the next day after the LR had been sitting in the garage. I simply assumed it was a case of either the drain plug or oil filter not being properly tightened. The dealer fixed the problem, but didn't offer an explanation of what had happened, nor did I question them about it. Now that I am out of warranty, I have done the last three or four oil changes myself with the factory oil filter and have not had any leakage issues.

Is there something unique about the LR filter that has you buying it instead of an after market one?
Is the LR3 pretty easy to change? I suspect taking off the skid plate is probably the only different task. I honestly haven't looked to see if the drain plug and filter is as I'd expect to find it on any other car.

 

[hell pie]

I don't think there is anything magical about the LR filters, and perhaps some aftermarket ones would be better, but I got eight of them on ebay for a really good price. The oil change procedure isn't difficult, but is a bit laborious because of the skid plate. My recommendations are to put the LR3 into extended mode and use a jack to support the skid plate when you are removing it. The drain plug uses a rubber o-ring as opposed to a metal washer. Also, the oil comes out with a pretty good amount of pressure when you remove the drain plug, so be warned. Other than that, the oil change is identical to any other car.

 

[roverman]

I suppose it's possible for the filters to be faulty, but much more likely they are over or under tightening. I use aftermarket filters and do the job myself, the skid plates only take an extra ten minutes or so. I support the skid plate with my hand or forearm as I take the last bolts out, it's really not hard at all, plus I know it's done right! There is a frame crossmember that tends to get in the way of the oil stream when it's almost done, but it's par for the course. What does the dealership charge anyway? I like saving the money, but more importantly the hassle of going to the dealership and waiting.
BTW, I'm pretty sure my plug gaskets are metal...

 

[socalrovershop]

yes guys i have personally seen the oil filters from landrover fail. they leak at the lip of the oil filter they werent made right. ive changed dozens of these at the dealer i worked at

 

[toddjb122]

yes guys i have personally seen the oil filters from landrover fail. they leak at the lip of the oil filter they werent made right. ive changed dozens of these at the dealer i worked at

thanks for the first hand experience. Hopefully LR is correcting the problem, but seems odd I've seen it for so long. Maybe my dealer got a big shipment of filters and is using them all before the new version, if it exists.

'preciate the oil change tips.

these days the cost of getting your oil changed isn't that much more than the cost of the oil and the filter. didn't used to be the case, but it's pretty close. i have brought it in every 7500 for the scheduled service and just get the oil changed at the same time.

however, having to bring the car back to the dealer on at least 3 occasions due to a bad change (or filter) isn't really worth it. specially when you're far away from the dealer at the time. i did used to like changing my oil, so maybe i'll get under there one of these days and do it again.

 

[larlr3]

I have had similar problems. One dealer blamed the filters and replaced it and there were no more leaks. Lately, a different dealer is saying the problem is with the part that the filter attaches to (I cannot think of the part name but it costs >$400 USD). I got under the vehicle and removed the filter and flipped the rubber gasket on the filter and replaced the filter to find that the problem of leaking went away. I don't believe the problem to be the part that the filter attaches to. I have now lost faith in that dealer and will be doing my own oil changes. I have ordered a K&N filter and will use Castrol 10w30. As far as the skid plate is concerned, I just removed one bolt at a time until I was ready to catch the plate after removal of the last bolt. Honestly, it was tougher to reinstall the plate than to take it off but once you thread one bolt it can hold the plate on until you get the 2nd bolt in place- the other bolts install easily after that. I am sure there are easier ways to do this. Save yourself the grief and change your own oil. I will be doing my own from now on.

2005 LR3 SE - 67K miles.

 

[CMGRover]

I've never had a leak, knock on wood. Under the dealer service never had one leak, and now when I DIY, never had a leak. I use Pureolater filters.