Oil Leaking around the filter in a 2006 Baja Turbo.

[COBaja2006]

I can't locate the oil leak. It runs down the sides of the filter. Doesn't matter what type or brand or how tight. Very annoying as it drips directly on the exhaust!  Help.

[presslab]

The turbo models have an oil cooler (heat exchanger) directly above the oil filter.  There is a large orange o-ring that is between the cooler and the block, it commonly leaks.  It can be replaced without removing the cooler by removing the center tube the filter screws into, sliding out the old o-ring and slipping in the new one.  A small mirror helps a lot here.  Make sure it's seated before tightening the cooler back down.

 

There is an off chance the cooler itself is leaking.  Mine did and I fixed it with a TIG welder, as new coolers are expensive.

[Fairtax4me]

Replace the O-ring above the cooler first. It's a few $ from a dealer but easy to replace. I think you need a 22mm deep socket to unscrew the tube in the center. Takes all of 10 minutes.

[idosubaru]

what he said - replace the cooler oring.

 

replace the oil filter - the oring on it may be compromised or sometimes weird things happen like the old ring stuck to the engine and wasn't removed so you got two orings in there, etc.

[ivans imports]

Titen oil cooler but most likly headgasket leaking and runing down from above