Oil Filter Leak

I picked up a 2023 Tundra SR5 and about a month in and 1800 miles later it appears to have a very slight leak from the oil filter. I changed the oil and filter at ~900 miles and did the oil and filter. I didn't notice any major leaks so about a week later I put an OEM TRD skidplate on it. Yesterday I noticed a bit of oil on the skidplate on the drivers side. Checking the oil it doesn't seem to have moved the level on the dipstick from when I last filled it. When I pulled off the skidplate I noticed a slight amount of oil under the truck (a few drips built up on the steering rack, and a few other low points on the block) so I went ahead and dried it all off and double checked that the oil filter was still tight, and went for another test drive. The oil spots on the truck reappeared so I replaced the filter and inspected the gasket for any tears. I didn't see anything issues with the old oil filter and mating surface on the block seemed reasonably clean but I threw the new filter on, cleaned the block with some paper towels, and topped off the oil. It's not leaking enough where it leaves a spot on the ground after a single drive, but there was enough on the skidplate where I think it's more than just old oil stuck in the funnel under the oil filter. Has anyone have any oil leaks from the oil filter or just the front of the 3rd gen block in general? I don't see much on the forum on oil leaks for this generation.

 

Thats weird our filters have a pre lubed o ring on the filter only way it should leak is if it’s not tight enough or cross threaded

 

@mayan I agree! It felt like it threaded smoothly and torque spec seems fine. Should be idiot proof! I have an appointment with the dealer tomorrow. I'll see if they can get it sorted out.

 

First. My comment is from ignorance as have the 5.7L and am not familiar with the specifics of the V6TT architecture.

Oil can behave funny when it gets warm and travel across weird paths before finding just the right spot to "drop down." I think the V6TT has an old fashioned spin on oil filter? Anywhere above or just above and to the side where the oil could originate from? Valve cover?

 

As another data point....On my first oil change in my 2023 I didn't do a great job and got residual oil into the little funnel under the filter (I didn't use a drain tube like designed). It drained from there into the a frame rail which has holes in it and continued to drip for a few weeks out of the frame rail. Made my crazy as it dripped onto the skidplate and left residual that made it look like my filter was leaking. After some more cleaning with brake clean and a few weeks it finally went away.

It's pretty unusual for a properly tightened spin on filter to leak. From my experience I'd be more worried about too tight than not tight enough.

On my 2nd oil change I still refused to do the right thing and put a hose on the funnel, but rather just stuffed towels into that area to soak up residual. No issues with residual oil this last time.

 

I would bet its residual oil in the little catch tray under the filter where you can attach a hose and drain the oil. Did you blast out that little tray with brake cleaner? I did and still had a couple little drops after that. I find that little drip tray is difficult to clean out. Just a suggestion.....

 

Thanks for all the feedback! I did confirm it is not double gasketed and I did use the silicone drain hose that was recommended when changing the oil. It didn't look like residual oil from the change so I took it to the dealership where they dye tested it and concluded that the valve cover gaskets are leaking. They have to wait for the gaskets to show up but hopefully this fixes it. I've had quite a few cars leak oil over the years (mostly corvettes) so I'm no stranger to seeing oil build up on my garage floor, or burn off the outside of my exhaust manifold.