What is the name of the unit the the oil filter screws into?

GRS2012

MEMBER
1997 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA
15,000 MILES

Oil is leaking from the top of the housing that the oil filter screws into. What I would like to know is, what is the name of that housing and can it be repaired or replaced? Also, what would be a ballpark figure in the cost for both? I know that the filter was not loose and the only time that the oil came out was when the engine was running. The oil was like bubbling from the top of the housing where the filter screwed into. Also it was bubbling with some force and stopped when the engine was shut off. Any ideas of what the problem might be?

1 Reply

EXOVCDS

MECHANIC
1,883 POSTS

The oil filter is screwed against the "oil cooler adapter". The oil cooler
has an oil seal that is sandwiched between the cooler and the mounting
flange.

Over time, the oil cooler seal gets brittle & cracks. Resulting in
a very fast oil leak when the engine is running.

To replace the oil cooler seal, you need to remove the oil filter, loosen
and remove the 27mm nut that secures the oil cooler against the
flange.

Lower the oil cooler off of the mounting tube and then replace the
oil cooler seal.

Install in reverse order. Check out the images (Below). Please let us know if you need anything else to get the problem fixed.

Images (Click to make bigger)