I have an 87 N/A that has had an oil pan leak since i bought it 3 years ago. Not a big deal so I havent bothered to put a new one in. It only smoke from underneath when being driven for a while. My mechanic buddy told me that I may want to try to use an outside sealant for the Oil Pan. Is this a good method? If so, what is a good sealant?

 

With an active, ongoing leak, it's next to impossible to seal an oil leak from the outside, due to the cleanliness required for good adhesion with whatever sealant you're using. The best way would be to somehow inject some solvent just in front of the sealant injection path, to clear the way for optimum adhesion...

You could try to retorque the bolts to see if that helps (use a cross-torque pattern), but be careful with overtorquing them.

 

While I don't know if the idea is a good one or not, it seem to me that if you clean up the area from oil and whatnot you could use JB Weld. That stuff is strong.

One of the more experienced guys here can prolly answer if it is a good idea to do or not.

 

double post...

 

I was thinking maybe the leak was not around the seal somewhere, ie like hole in the pan. If not I think you are prolly right ...

 

Because one of the engine mounts is through the oil pan, the only solution is to remove the pan, and either use a new gasket, or a high temp silicon RTV in place of a gasket.

If it is leaking, replacement is the only solution, and not band aids like glueing something on the outside of the pan.

 

JB Weld your oil pan on? That's a good way to never get it off again.

Try some high temp RTV sealer in place of the gasket. I think that is my next step because mine leaks like a bastard as well.

I did see that Pineapple oil pan in RX Tuner, but I can't find it anywhere for sale. Anyone know where I can find it? It holds an extra quart of oil as well, which kicks ***.

 

I agree with icemark, bite the bullet and pull the pan. I like to use grey silicon rtv on my motors, even if you opt for a gasket (not my choice) use rtv on both sides of it. Rtv around all the bolt holes including the motor mount bolts. clean both matting surfaces spotless with a good solvent before you apply the rtv. when you go to bolt the pan up, loosly fingertighten the pan boklts, then let it sit for 45min to an hour, then torque them down,..this is how i do it,.. no leaks as of yet.


btw the factory never used a gasket, only rtv.

 

I didn't read where he said where the leak was from. I took that it was a hole of some sort on the pan. I woudl think it obvious if it was the seal that he would have guessed replace the seal. As would the mechanic friend I would think.

 

Believe me...I tried it. Tried all sorts of quick-drying, oil resistant sealants all around the pan. Even drained oil and gave it 48 hours to dry. Leak never changed.
Gotta pull it, sorry.