Oil pooling on filter top

[KidDingo]

HI All,

Seeking some assistance here. Just finished changing the timing belt, front seals, and replacing a bunch of other things related to ignition and cooling systems. Kicked her in the ribs and went for a quick sprint around the neighbourhood, just enough to scare a few backyard cats and bunny rabbits.

Got home to oil pooling at the top of the oil filter and literally running onto the floor. The pooling slowed and stopped once the engine was off. Replaced the Fram with a K&N filter, but problem returned (photo 1 below).




So it's not the filter gasket. Scrambled around underneath and noticed oil on the bottom side of the filter bracket:




Checked above - not the dipstick tube, not the vapour breather hose or tubing, nor the oil pressure sender unit.

It's from the front of the oil filter bracket, beneath the alternator (sorry for blurriness):




My question is, is the leak most likely the gasket between the engine and the oil filter bracket (my thought) or that mysterious bolt at the front of the oil filter bracket ( I have no idea what its purpose is... it's not for the alternator, I know that)?

If I need to replace the gasket, I shouldn't need to drain the oil, right?

Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks.

[124JOE]

right, from what you wrote you shouldnt need to drain the oil for that gasket.

[KidDingo]

Went back to it today.

Wiped it all down and watched for the oil.

Seemed to be coming from that mysterious bolt. Tightened it up about a half-turn and the problem seems to be solved.

Quite odd, really.

[124JOE]

im glad you got it stoped

[KidDingo]

Me too!

Was finally able to get it out for a real parade around the local Starbucks parking lot.

Still gotta figure out what that bolt does, tho.

[Kent124]

Is that the bolt directly opposite of the electrical oil light sender?

[KidDingo]

Yeah. It appears to pass through the oil filter housing bracket, to the sending unit.

It probably doesn't, but it looks that way.

[Kent124]

Shot in the dark. If the same oil filter bracket was mounted on the passenger's side the mysterious bolt would be in the correct position for an oil light sender. (The unit would be rotated horizontally 180 degrees.) I know some 124s had alternators on the passenger side. No idea if the oil filter was over there as well.

[KidDingo]

You know, that makes sense.

And would explain why it leaked only when the engine is running and there is oil pressure built up.

You're a smart guy, Kent124!

[124JOE]

not on my motors
but the other ones like for the x19
may have it relocated and use the same pump

[KidDingo]

Hmm.

In that case Joe, given that the sending unit attached on the rear of the oil filter housing is for an oil pressure warning light, could the bolt on the front of the housing be covering a blank hole for an oil pressure gauge?