I am looking after my DIL’s car while my son is downrange for most of the year.

She has a 2016 Subaru Legacy.

In going over the car yesterday I noticed that the “cradle” where the spin on oil filter is located looks like it has oil around it…

Can anyone confirm if this is normal? There doesn’t appear to be any leaking or dripping from this area.
Thanks.

Never seen that on wife's Outback. Maybe give it a 1/4 turn?

Edit: That looks like quite a bit after seeing the pic. Maybe bad ring on the filter... Is the filter tight enough?

That’s what I was thinking.
Sorry for the large picture.

Probably just not cleaned up after an oil change. Not spilling over so not likely a constant leak. Can’t hurt to spin it off and check it’s gasket is in place and not a double gasket. But most likely just leftover from last replacement.

Never had that happen on my 2018 Outback. Probably loose (from last oil change) or bad gasket (or put on dry?) on the filter.

Brake clean and some paper towels until clean.
I’m with the not cleaned after last change crowd.

Tighten filter (don't overtighten), clean all the oil from the area. Test drive and see if oil reappears.

If it isn't actively leaking - it will be obvious when the engine is running - it probably wasn't cleaned up after the last service.

My Tacoma is like that, just residual oil in my case.

Take some paper towels snd soak it up. Check in a week.

One downside, on the Tacoma the alternator is directly below. After 175K miles, the alternator failed and was crudded up with old oil. Top spinning filter is convenient but does have a downside.

quote:

Originally posted by frayedends:
Probably just not cleaned up after an oil change. Not spilling over so not likely a constant leak. Can’t hurt to spin it off and check it’s gasket is in place and not a double gasket. But most likely just leftover from last replacement.

I am with fray, spin it off, clean it and reapply.

Be very careful with the machined surface that the oil filter gasket mates to.

Hats off to you for using a suby oil filter.

It will be difficult to clean up now. The time to clean up was before the new filter went on. I don't know that I'd mess with it at this point.

quote:

Originally posted by egregore:
It will be difficult to clean up now. The time to clean up was before the new filter went on. I don't know that I'd mess with it at this point.

Difficult, not impossible with popsicle sticks and paper towels. Whilst the engine is cool.

I think oil from the last change would have vibrated out and all over by now.

I use an oil extractor and suck as much out of the cup as possible and then wipe clean with towels.

the top filter is one of the reasons I got the 4 instead of the 6. Combined with the extractor, oil change is all from the top.

How many miles from/to next oil change?

Someone did not take the time to clean the oil that spills out of the filter when it was changed.

I agree that you might wipe it out as well as possible without removing the filter, and check the well for additional leakage after a couple of days of use.

quote:

Originally posted by frayedends:
Probably just not cleaned up after an oil change. Not spilling over so not likely a constant leak. Can’t hurt to spin it off and check it’s gasket is in place and not a double gasket. But most likely just leftover from last replacement.

My first thought. If it were a true leak, the first you would know about it is oil on the driveway. The lip performed it’s function perfectly. No spillage running down the motor and getting cooked crap on it.

My daughter's Impreza looks the same. It's because I didn't wait for the filter to fully drain before draining it. I cleaned it up with a paper towel.

quote:

Originally posted by 220-9er:
Brake clean and some paper towels until clean.
I’m with the not cleaned after last change crowd.

Me too. If I didn't clean up the oil that pooled there during the oil change, I suspect I would see the same.

I'd be inclined to clean it up now, let it run or drive it a few days and check it. If it's due for an oil change, might as well change it.

And that reminds me ...

UPDATE:

So I tried to tighten the filter and it is on very tight. I decided to not take it off for the time being. I did take a paper towel and soak up all the residual oil and will monitor it to see if any additional oil accumulates in the recess.

She is due an oil and filter change in about 1500 miles so we’ll see what happens then. Just an FYI she has been taking the car to the dealer for servicing so I may go instead next time and talk to the tech.. I also noticed the antifreeze level was low and topped it off with Subie antifreeze.

Thanks everyone.