I just completed my first oil change on my new 2007 Ram 1500 with the Hemi. During this first oil chance I had to tighten the oil filter with more force then I was comfortable with inorder to stop the filter from leaking oil slightly. I actually had toused a1/2 inch drive ratchet attached to a filter socket in order to make it tight enough for it not to leak (by the way it leaked when i would drive the car). Is it normal to have to make the filter this tight or does it sould like something is wrong? Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

 

I would submit that you have a faulty seal in the filter.. it shuould never be that tight... Normally just tightening by hand should keep it from leaking.

Hopefully you did not cross threated ..

 

yes it does sounds like a bad seal. Did you check to make sure you got the seal off from the old filter also? Like the seal didnt come off the top of it and stick to the engine? Otherwise i'd take it to the dealer and make them fix it.

 

I tried 2 different oil filters, the first was a Fram oil filter and the second was a Mopar oil fliter, both needed to be on pretty tight inorder for it not to leak.

 

You know I have done my own OLF and I have not had that problem... that is not to say that such may not be normal. I just have not had that issue..

 

did you look up at the seal spot on the engine to see if that looked ok? No cracks or divets or dirt lodged in there or anything like that?

 

There's a fairly good chance that both times you used a fram. Mopar filters are often repainted frams. Next time try a wix/napa gold/mobil1 filter. Also, not trying to be an ***, but did you happen to oil the seal before putting on the filter? Sometimes people forget this and that could be a cause as well. The fact that it leaks while driving tells me that the seal isn't handling pressure well. I've always used mobil 1 filters with no problems, although I would use a wix if i could find one.

 

I agree with djr04 about trying another brand. Sounds like a bad seal problem. If it still leaks, the flat sealing surface where the gasket meets the block needs to be inspected for damage. Good luck. Red

 

Make sure that old filter seal way off. I have had a dozen gallons of oil spilled because of that stupid seal not coming off.

 

HansonHVAC & Priata have very good points. If the original seal/o-ring is stuck to the engine and does not come off with the filter this problem can happen. I always check and wipe the mating surface clean. This way I know that everything is correct. You should never have to tighten the oil filter hard with a ratchet! If you do you will play hell getting it off the next time.

Also this is not a Fram problem. I have used them for many, many years. Each to their own on brand choice! Not trying to play a brand name game here.

If the seal is not the problem maybe the threads are stripped causing a bad seal.

Best of luck. You might try your dealer for repairs, but if they did not perform the oil change they will not be liable for things beyond their control.