Cold Start Leak with Thermostat Delete Plate

[Uber Wagon]

So I have a pretty bad leak upon cold start between my thermostat delete plate and the oil filter housing. Once things are warm it seals right up. I just replaced the gasket (with an Elring brand one) and it didn't improve, made it slightly worse even. I believe the thermostat delete plate is from RB Turbo according to the previous owner.

Anyone experience this before?

 

[RuskiRacer]

Usually from not replacing the one time use bolts

 

[Uber Wagon]

Usually from not replacing the one time use bolts

Hmm, the bolts on my car are definitely steel (according to my trusty magnet) so I didn't think that applied here, but maybe a previous owner swapped them out.

 

[135itp]

Can you take a straight edge with feeler gauge to the delete plate? Its pretty straight forward so likely warped because its thin aluminum. That would be my guess.

If yes, your fix it to get a thicker one or remove it and try to give it a little bend in the other direction (risky)

 

[aus335iguy]

You could get it machined ?

 

[Uber Wagon]

Can you take a straight edge with feeler gauge to the delete plate? Its pretty straight forward so likely warped because its thin aluminum. That would be my guess.

If yes, your fix it to get a thicker one or remove it and try to give it a little bend in the other direction (risky)

Good idea. I will take a look and see if there is anything obvious. I might also try an OEM gasket just to rule that out as well.

 

[RuskiRacer]

If its not the bolt or the gasket it is typically the housing itself becomes warped.

 

[rayrobot]

I ran into this problem. People looked at me like i was crazy when i first posted it on FB. It only happened when it was cold in the winter. Once the weather went back up, no leaks at all.
I had the RB plate originally, it looked straight by eye. Either way I still replaced it with a thicker PSP plate. (This wasn't the issue, the original RB plate was straight)
I even over-torqued all the bolts because of this leak and striped out all the holes in the OFH. Had to replace the housing.
The verdict was using an OEM gasket. The aftermarket gaskets are thinner than usual.

 

[aus335iguy]

Interesting.

 

[135itp]

I ran into this problem. People looked at me like i was crazy when i first posted it on FB. It only happened when it was cold in the winter. Once the weather went back up, no leaks at all.
I had the RB plate originally, it looked straight by eye. Either way I still replaced it with a thicker PSP plate. (This wasn't the issue, the original RB plate was straight)
I even over-torqued all the bolts because of this leak and striped out all the holes in the OFH. Had to replace the housing.
The verdict was using an OEM gasket. The aftermarket gaskets are thinner than usual.

Thats a great observation! Thank you very much for sharing that.

 

[I am Jacks N54]

I had this issue with the RB plate. Turned out to be a warped OEM oil filter housing in my case. I replaced it and no leaks since.

 

[RuskiRacer]

I had this issue with the RB plate. Turned out to be a warped OEM oil filter housing in my case. I replaced it and no leaks since.

+1 on that my friend has same issue same setup. Changed oil filter housing no leaks since that day.

 

[Uber Wagon]

Glad to hear I am not the only one to run into this! I have a brand new housing and OEM gasket on the way. Will report back!

 

[Uber Wagon]

Just following up on this for other's future reference. Replaced the oil filter housing and installed a fresh OEM gasket and everything is bone dry now! Friends don't let friends drive with warped oil filter housings!

 

[I am Jacks N54]

Awesome, glad you got it resolved. I have feeling this issue is due to the housing being aluminum and over torqued at some point. I don't remember the torque value off-hand, but it was lighter than I expected.

 

[scrllock]

I wanna know more about this car, is that an e91 with motons?

edit: should have recognized the 1m fenders! Username threw me off, but modded 1Ms are sick too!

 

[Uber Wagon]

I wanna know more about this car, is that an e91 with motons?

It's a 1M with an E9x M3 cowl, a ton of carbon fiber from RevoZport, and also Motons! It's an old SEMA car that I am restoring for track day/canyon fun.
Been documenting the build here.

 

[Ajr10]

I ran into this problem. People looked at me like i was crazy when i first posted it on FB. It only happened when it was cold in the winter. Once the weather went back up, no leaks at all.
I had the RB plate originally, it looked straight by eye. Either way I still replaced it with a thicker PSP plate. (This wasn't the issue, the original RB plate was straight)
I even over-torqued all the bolts because of this leak and striped out all the holes in the OFH. Had to replace the housing.
The verdict was using an OEM gasket. The aftermarket gaskets are thinner than usual.

Would you happen to have a link for a OEM gasket?