Metal oil filter housing - leaks?

I installed a metal filter housing after hairline cracks in my plastic were leaking.

I keep getting light weeping that doesn't appear to just be residual oil left below the o-ring.

Curious, I measured the diameter of the housing at the o-ring groove. The plastic is ~3.178 to 3.180 while the metal is 3.160". I'm assuming this is meant to be 81 and 80mm respectively.

Now, 10 thou on a side is significant when you're talking about o-ring contact in a bore.

I'm presently using Carquest filters and the o-ring is 3.5mm CS (cross section), or about .138" freedom.

Before you blame "cheap filters," note this supplied o-ring is great with OEM plastic. No matter how much we blame aftermarket here, remember the variation in question is in OEM parts to the tune of 20 thou freedom.

Does anyone have an OEM metal or plastic on the shelf they can measure (note 6" calipers may not have enough throat depth)? Also, does anyone have an OEM o-ring to measure CS? Theoretical options are ~.140"/3.5mm or ~.156/4mm. However on a plastic housing I think 4mm CS would be WAY too tight

Also, some housekeeping:
1) yes, OEM Toyota purchased over the counter at my Toyota dealership
2) yes, I'm measuring the correct groove in each
3) I'm unable to see damage to the engine-mounted filter block when the housing is removed.

 

Why are you using knock off filter when you can get OEM at Walmart for $6? Especially when it's presenting issues?

 

My dealer sells filters cheaper that that. I feel the OP just needs to be using OEM filters and o-rings. Noone else has issues with leaks.

 

Agreed

 

I didn't see the OP address absolute confirmation that he placed the O ring in the correct groove. We've had folks get the wrong groove before. In fact there have been enough mis-located O rings that Mama Toyota felt they needed to put a diagram on their oil filter box so folks can be sure they're in the right groove.

 

I refer to that diagram EVERY oil change, to combat my own stupidity!

 

I need to change my earl soon. I don't recall any leaks. I'm using genuine Toyota filters and gaskets.

 

Me too; after doing my first oil change i started the truck and backed it out of the garage. Lost about a quart and a half before I saw it sraying out onto the garage floor.......learned my lesson. And check EVERY time to make sure the o-ring is where the box says it should be

 

Over 130k miles on my metal housing using various brands of oil filters and rings. Zero issues.

 

I start it on the ramps and watch it before putting the skid plate back on.