I changed my oil back in September right before a trip. I used a drag specialties oil filter at the reccomendation of a local indy shop that carries Amsoil. I have always only used HD filters. Anyway, I changed the oil, and it made a mess as usual. I didn't wash it, just detailed it. After riding about 500 miles to Arkansas I noticed a small drip of oil on the filter and some spots where oil blew back on the primary case. I cleaned it off, and didn't find anymore on the filter after that. I got home, washed the bike and found a bunch of old oil that had ran down behind the voltage regulator so I cleaned all that. Anyway, I was riding the other day and after the ride I noticed the same oil blow back on the primary cover. It appears to be coming from the filter, but it doesn't do it on every ride. it hasn't done it since September. Maybe the oil has to get to a certian temp to leak. It hasn't leaked enough to drip on the floor or to notice a drop in oil level, so it's not leaking much.

Anyway, anyone ever had a filter leak? I'm going to drain the oil, and replace the filter.

 

They might leak if you don't pre-oil the rubber gasket on the filter. Other than that I've never seen one leak.

 

I would have to agree with ya on that one..............have seem this before!
I have always per lubed the filter ring and put a little oil in the filter too.

 

I always oil the rubber gasket on the filter.

 

Could have left some old gasket in place, creating a small leak.

 

The reason I think it has to be the filter is because I can see the oil residue around the filter area and it never did this before I changed the oil the last time.

 

Might be a defective gasket on your filter, & you might also try tightening it up some with your oil filter wrench.

 

wow I hope I remember to rub oil on the gasket of the filter... I usually do but
I can also see myself forgetting to do it.

 

I oil the filter gasket, put oil in the filter and run my finger around the mounting area, on the bike, to make sure it is smooth and debris free. I also just hand tighten the new filter.
Don't over tighten your next filter just because your current one leaks, or you'll have a hard time getting it off.
Tom

 

Yea! It can happen. A little smudge of dirt can also. I always wipe my gasket base clean also, then I rub oil on the filter gasket before installing.

I have also made a mess and let oil get in some valleys on the front of the engine and think my gasket was leaking when it would blow on the primary. Now I use a Walmart plastic bag to wrap around the filter and filter base to remove the filter. The bag catches all the old oil.

Good luck!