Oil Filter Housing

Oil Filter Housings and Filter Modules A-Z Car Parts Halifax supplies complete Oil Filter Housings (also known as oil filter modules or flanges) for passenger cars and light commercial vehicles. While often overlooked, the housing is a critical engine component that mounts the filter element to the engine block, often integrating oil coolers and pressure sensors into a single assembly.

Function of the Oil Filter Housing Modern oil filter housings do more than just hold the filter cartridge.

• Mounting Point: Provides a secure, sealed interface for the oil filter element to clean the engine oil.

• Thermal Management: Many housings feature an integrated Oil Cooler (Heat Exchanger) interface, allowing coolant to regulate oil temperature.

• Flow Control: Contains internal bypass valves and anti-drain back valves to manage oil pressure and ensure lubrication during cold starts.

• Sensor Integration: Often houses oil pressure switches and temperature sensors.

Symptoms of a Defective Oil Filter Housing Oil filter housings, particularly those made of composite plastic, are prone to failure after years of heat cycling.

• Visible Oil Leaks: Oil pooling in the "valley" of V-engines or dripping down the side of the block (often mistaken for a head gasket leak).

• Coolant & Oil Mixing: Internal cracks in the housing or failure of the internal gaskets can allow oil to mix with coolant (sludge in the expansion tank).

• Cracked Plastic: Hairline cracks appearing around the mounting bolts or the cap thread area.

• Stripped Threads: Damage to the cap threads caused by previous overtightening, preventing a proper seal.

Causes of Failure

• Thermal Stress: Plastic housings become brittle due to the extreme temperature fluctuations of the engine. Over time, they warp or crack.

• Overtightening: Using excessive torque on the filter cap can split the housing neck.

• Gasket Compression: The seals between the housing and block flatten over time, causing leaks (replacing just the gasket is sometimes insufficient if the housing is warped).

Replacement Advice

• Complete Unit: If a plastic housing is warped, replacing just the gasket will not fix the leak. We recommend replacing the complete housing assembly.

• Check Oil Cooler: If your housing has an attached oil cooler, inspect it for blockage or leaks before transferring it to the new unit (or replace both).

• Torque Settings: Always use a torque wrench when bolting the new housing to the engine block to prevent distorting the flange.

Why Order from A-Z Car Parts Halifax? We offer durable replacement housings that match OE specifications for fit and flow.

• Reinforced composite or cast aluminum materials.

• Pre-assembled units with gaskets and seals included (where applicable).

• Coverage for common failure units (e.g., BMW N20, Ford Duratorq, VAG TDI).