Major Oil Leak

[Brewer]

Recently lost my clutch when the master cylinder bled out. Replaced the master and slave cylinders and finally got the system bled and working (a long & frustrating process). I placed jack stands under the front frame to provide minimal working room, no issues. When I restarted the car, there was a major oil leak (literally streaming out) which appears to be coming from the O-ring(s) on a short spool (part #C35688) in the oil filter housing, just below the oil cooler union.

But - the O-rings appear to be fine. Anyway, I've ordered replacements and will put the whole thing back together and cross my fingers. Have any of you experienced a similar issue? Here are my concerns:
- Even with a borescope it's difficult to be sure this is where the leak originates; could it be somewhere above the spool?
- Why did this happen now? Coincidence? Or might the jacking up/down somehow stress these parts? Seems unlikely to me.
- Although they appear intact and resilient, is it possible the O-rings have shrunken to the point where they simply no longer form a strong enough seal? BTW, this doesn't seem like the best-engineered design.

Eagerly awaiting comments from the more experienced!

[mgcjag]

Are you sure of where you jacked and supported the car....could your jacks have caught something?

[Stevemorris]

As Steve said, re-trace your steps, make sure you didn't catch anything.

From memory I know the O rings you are talking about, 3 x 1/4 bolts holding a couple of triangular flanges, and the sleeve joint has an O ring?

Maybe the car being jacked up at the front has meant all the oil has 'sloped' back and saturated that area??

Odd one though...

Steve.

[Brewer]

Thanks, both of you, for the replies. Yes, my first thought was that I caught, smashed, punctured something with the jack or jack stands but that is definitely not the case - the only part touched was the frame.

Steve Morris, I think we are thinking of different parts, this is a V12. There are 2 bolts and a stud that support the oil cleaner housing. I've been trying to post a diagram without success, that would make all clear.

[Brewer]

Well, I was able to include the diagram after all. The red-circled area is where the leak appears to originate, but as I said, it's difficult to be certain, lots of hoses and fittings in that area.
Thanks again!