Hey All,

OK, so after trying a new set of gaskets from the dealer parts desk, and a set of 'generic' ones from the local O'Reilly's, I still have a significant oil leak, where the lines from the engine meet the oil filter bracket.

History, I took that connection apart first attempt to fix the leak, and found that the original seals were thoroughly cracked and torn, so that seemed a likely cause. Installed the 2 new seals I got via the parts counter. Now here's where I thought maybe I went wrong, as I didn't do this while doing an oil change, so i was somewhat rushed to get it back together while oil was draining out. Seals seemed to fit over the little tube ends well enough, and everything went back together without any difficulties. Soon afterwards I saw the oil leaking again.

Decided I'd try a different fix, since it was also Sunday and I had no way to get OE seals that day. Found a seal on the shelf at O'Reilly that matched, and for $2.00-something, figured I'd give it a try. This time I made sure to do the job along with my regular oil change, so I had time to let it drain, then clean up and replace the seals. Upon removal, I found the 'recent' set of OE seals to be cracked and worn very similar to the 12 year old ones I had just replaced. These were only a couple months old.
That was a factor in me trying something different than the OE pieces.

So, while reinstalling these 'generic' seals, I cleaned the end of the lines, and the face of the oil filter bracket, and found no obvious signs of wear/cracking that should prohibit a good seal between the two. So I slid the new seals onto the lines again, and bolted the end of that to the filter bracket. Everything tightened up, install the new oil filter, and fill it up with oil.

let it run for maybe 15 minutes while I still had it up on the ramps, and no leakage. Thinking I finally beat this. Later that evening, I look at it again, and notice a small drip forming. Drive it for a week, and it has stopped dropping oil everywhere I park. All of a sudden the following week, the leak is back again. Dropping 2 spots maybe 1-1/2" across each time I park.

Is there anything more I can throw at this to try and stop the leaking? The lines themselves are clean, not leaking where the rubber and metal meet at all, all of the leak is at the seals between the aluminum end of the line assembly, and the aluminum of the filter bracket itself. So I don't think I need to replace any lines yet. Was thinking maybe some RTV around each of the seals, even though they were installed 'dry' originally.

Any fixes you've had success with, or crazy ideas I might try? I'm tired of the big oil spot in my driveway. Should be noted that the OE seals between the lines to the radiator/oil cooler are still sealed up just fine.

Is there any way I can pinpoint if this drip is simply coming from the filter? I suppose that is a possibility. But the fact that the second set of OE seals came out so poorly work after a short while makes me think that there must be something in that area that's not right.

thanks for reading, hopefully your responses can help me figure this out.