I have a leak but it is not an oil leak coming from around where my oil filter is

oil leaks around the filter generally mean that the oil filter is too tight and the gasket is damaged , filter installed on a dry gasket, -damaging the gasket, lip of the filter is faulty--manufacturing problem, the old gasket for the filter was not removed before fitting a new filter--- gasket squeezing out
remove the filter, best replace with a new filter, remove any old gasket stuck to the housing, put a thin film of oil on the new gasket and screw up to touch then 1/4 turn ( fitting instructions on the box or filter)
do not over tighten

I am sure you are positive that nothing is leaking somewhere else making you think it is coming from the oil filter ...In most cases it is the oil sending unit leaking near or around it...The oil sending unit looks like an electrical plug with wires attached to it ....However it only takes one grain of sand to make an oil filter leak...Does it leak as soon as you put it on..?..Does it only leak when it gets hot.?..Do you always clean the oil from filter area that comes from old filter when removed..Sometimes oil gets trapped in the frame under vehicle and makes you think it is leaking..It normally takes the oil a long time to finally leave the frame area if trapped considering some frame designs and small lips and curves of suspension..I would recommend after removing old filter USE SAFETY GLASSES AND BREATHING MASK..clean all around it with starting fluid ...,it will dry off quickly"Wipe everything around it to a clean shine..let it dry completely..use a good flashlight and closely examine filter stud threads at filter base..be sure base and threads are very clean...Don't forget to lube rubber seal on new filter before installing it..DO NOT OVER TIGHTEN..THIS WILL DAMAGE THREADS..get safety glasses and breathing mask ...It would be a good idea to raise front of car and place on sturdy Jack stands ..Don't forget to set Emerg.brake and block wheels for safety..If there is no doubt it is the filter The threaded stud that filter fits on could be partially stripped ..it will make you think it is on tight but it will actually be on slightly offset from filter base...

If it is leaking at the oil filter the previous rubber gasket may have stuck to the block. When the new oil filter was installed then the gasket was doubled and will leak.

If at filter it could be only what comes out (oil drip) when changing oil filter. If filter is good then use oil filter tighter tool to tighten the filter snugger. Make sure its not the oil bolt that is leaking, which could leave that pesky oil spots. Tighten it or replace oil bolt with new one.

Should be a leaking oil pressure switch.
First, check to oil filter, area to see if the oil is obviously coming out around the filter. Filter and area around it should be dry,.
There has been rare instance of the "o-ring" on the top of the oil filter sticking to the engine when the filter was changed, and the new oil filter then won't seal because there are now 2 gaskets between the filter and the engine block.
Check the engine drain plug. Is it loose or stripped? That area should also be clean and dry.
The valve cover gasket should be clean and dry all the way around.
Most common cause for that much oil use is the oil pressure switch, should be leaking with the motor running.

Hi,
To make sure that oil leaks are coming from the oil filter, clean the side of your engine, remove all the oil sludge and sump. Then run your engine for an hour, check the oil around the oil filter and the whole side of the engine.
If the oil was found around the filter, it means you have to replace the filter immediately. The oil seal on the oil filter is already done!
Hope that helps you!
Thanks for using Fixya!

It could be either but it is impossible to say without inspecting the car. If the leak is around the filter housing I suspect it is more likely from the oil filter. The oil filter gasket may have failed or the filter may not be screwed on firmly enough. However filters do not have to be screwed on very tightly to prevent a leak. If over tightened they can be difficult to remove and the rubber gasket can even be damaged.

I suggest you have the oil changed in the car and have the oil filter changed at the same time. This is very cheap to do and a new decent quality brand oil filter (such as MOTORCRAFT which meets Original Equipment specs for your car)) is only about $10 - if that. Whilst the oil and filter are being changed from beneath the car, with the vehicle on the hoist, it should be possible to examine the likely source of the leak.

Sean

Check the axle boot. When they rip or crack they will sling grease around.

If it's leaking from the oil filter spacer.( the 2 inch metal ring that attaches to your block, and has two rubber hoses coming out of it, and your oil filter attaches to) There is an o-ring between the spacer and the block. Take off your oil filter, remove the oil filter stud with 1 3/16" socket( or metric equivalent) and the spacer will come off. I found all the auto parts stores around me said that the o-ring was a dealer item. I bought a FRAM PH3387A oil filter and removed the o-ring on that. It fit perfectly, snug down your oil filter stud to specs, then install your oil filter. Double check that the oil filter is not double gasketed, and your are fixed!

If the leak is coming directly from above the oil filter it is more than likely the oil pressure switch is leaking. The seal around the Oil pressure switch could have gone bad and now it is leaking.

The oil pressure switch is located right above the the oil filter and above the cooling system cross pipe.