Geoff, If you just hand tightened the oil filter from the start, you might want to put a filter wrench on it and just snug it up a bit, not too tight, just a little turn. Also, before installing the filter, did you put a little oil on the o-ring? If the filter was defective, it would be spewing oil. Filters are cheap, so if you need, replace it, lube the o-ring, hand tighten, then just a little snug with filter strap or wrench. I used to rep Fram and Baldwin filters, I use Baldwin now.