DanRo Posted April 2, 2023 Share Posted April 2, 2023 Hi allI started the car today for the first time since October and whilst checking for leaks, I found one. Oil is dripping from the union between the Apollo sandwich plate and the oil filter housing. It's the opposite side of the plate from the oil filter. I have attached a pic (hopefully). I was told about a leak there by a specialist a couple of years back and he said he had tightened it. He said when the oil filter is done up, over time the opposite side of the plate can become loose and cause a leak. I can't see how I would tighten this. There is an Allen headed bolt in a sunken housing close to and at a right angle to the offending union, but it appears tight and probably unrelated. Do I need to remove the oil filter and if so, is the solution obvious when I do? I did investigate how to do this last time I changed the oil filter but couldn't figure it out. I can't did any specific references in searches. Any advice very welcome. Dan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leadership Team SLR No.77 Posted April 2, 2023 Leadership Team Share Posted April 2, 2023 Dan, you need to remove the oil filter, then there's a large hex nut that's obvious in the centre of the housing. The housing mounts to the filter head in the same way that the filter did, it'll be very obvious whilst you're in there.Check though that there's plenty of clearance around the hose unions, in the K-Series install there's usually a small amount ground off the block to gain more clearance, without the extra space leaks are common because the adapter won't sit completely square on the filter head.Stu. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DanRo Posted April 2, 2023 Author Share Posted April 2, 2023 Thanks for your reply Stu, is much appreciated. That's great info, apart from having to drain my new oil . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Area Representative Paul Richards Posted April 2, 2023 Area Representative Share Posted April 2, 2023 There is a rubber seal for the sandwich plate. It may be worth changing it. Can be obtained from Think Automotive. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Area Representative Paul Richards Posted April 2, 2023 Area Representative Share Posted April 2, 2023 There is a rubber seal for the sandwich plate. It may be worth changing it. Can be obtained from Think Automotive. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DanRo Posted April 2, 2023 Author Share Posted April 2, 2023 Thanks Paul. I'll get in touch with them tomorrow Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SM25T Posted April 2, 2023 Share Posted April 2, 2023 Drain your new oil into a new clean drain pan. The filter is above the sump, so you won't lose much. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DanRo Posted April 3, 2023 Author Share Posted April 3, 2023 Thanks SM25T. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Vine Posted April 3, 2023 Share Posted April 3, 2023 From the LF Archive, here's the article I wrote way back in 2001 on fitting an Apollo. I had the same problem of a leaky sandwich plate.JV Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DanRo Posted April 3, 2023 Author Share Posted April 3, 2023 Thanks John. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DanRo Posted April 4, 2023 Author Share Posted April 4, 2023 To conclude this, I used all the advice above, removed the sandwich plate and checked and tightened everything. I took the first blat of the year this evening with no apparent leaks. Thanks to Stu, Paul, SM25T and John for the advice. It was slightly awkward to line up the plate and re-thread the hex nut (26mm socket needed for this). It took a few goes for me to be happy that the seal was evenly positioned. Think Automotive tech dept couldn't say which seal I needed but when I took it out it looked good so cleaned it up and put it back. If anyone knows which one is required, it would be useful to know for the future, for all of us Apollo users. I did spot a minor gash in one of the oil hoses which run through the spinning alternator belt, where the belt had nicked it. I was able to re-position the hoses to run slightly more centrally through the belt. Still a hair raising position for them though! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Area Representative Paul Richards Posted April 4, 2023 Area Representative Share Posted April 4, 2023 Glad it's sorted. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mechanical Moz Posted April 5, 2023 Share Posted April 5, 2023 https://www.demon-tweeks.com/uk/mocal-replacement-seal-for-sandwich-plate-moc569a/I used this one, been on there 6 years so far. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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