leaking hydraulic filter

[Patrick62]

Ok guys, just how tight do those things have to be??
homemade machine, 15hp kohler, 22 gpm pump, 3/4 pressure hoses and a 1 inch return hose. Filter is one of those oversize things from Northern Tool. It was making a mess in the yard yesterday and I tightened it a bunch. A turn or more. Slowed it to a dribble. Started it up again today and kept a eye on it... dribble, dribble. Loosen it a smirch, and wiggle it some, tighten it again. try again. Resorted to the chain vice grip thing, and I have now put some dents in the can... still seems to want to drool some.

I have another filter I can put on, but this one is only a year old.... and they ain't cheap.

suggestions? Thanks in advance!

 

[cantoo]

Check the rubber and make sure it is okay. It shouldn't even have to be very tight to seal, usually just hand tighten.

 

[mohick]

Might as well change it now you have over done it so much you have messed up the seal now

 

[Patrick62]

Well... here is what I have planned. First is I really don't have a lot of time to be fiddling with leaky filters in the middle of wood season. I will try that replacement filter next time I fire it up.... I recall that the northern filter is a bit of a odd design, and that flat o ring that is shipped loose is a bit fiddly to get positioned correctly. I am certain it can be made to work, eventually. A day later, and I came to another course of action:

Ordered a high cfm filter and housing from Surplus center, that use a more conventional aproach to sealing. I would not take me long to swap the entire setup out and that might work better! Considering that we have already lost several gallons of oil due to this... I have to get something to work better!