Leaky Oil Pan Question
 

I did the oil pan sealing process outlined in the FAQ to try and fix a nagging oil leak I've had for a while. I was careful to follow directions and waited 3 days to refill the oil. I used no gasket - just "the right stuff" (the black sealant). The pan didn't leak for a few days, but within a week started leaking again so tonight I pulled it off for the second time.

The seal was solid around the entire pan except by the motor mounts (where the oil was dripping from). When I pulled the pan it was obvious there was a problem since the bead I laid down wasn't even disturbed. See the pics to see what I mean.

My question to the experts is this: Does this mean my pan is warped and I should get a new one or did I do something wrong in the process? I torqued everything to spec and tightened in a star pattern so it seems odd the bead would look like that around the mounts.

I really don't want to have to pull the pan a third time, so any advice is appreciated.

Thanks.

http://www.lokion.com/mohearn/pan_close.jpg

http://www.lokion.com/mohearn/pan_wide.jpg

This will take care of your problem:

http://www.gothamracing.com/catalog/...oducts_id=1076

IMO, your problem was that the pan sealing surface was not very flat (as you said, warped) before you sealed it. It appears to have a lot of deformation around the mounts previously caused by gasket deformation, that would cause exactly what you saw.

The pan MUST be VERY flat (plus it and the engine surface must be very clean) or it will not seal.

If you cannot get the pan sealing surface to be flat by tapping the dents out, you will need a new OE one, or a new aftermarket one, as Mahjik suggested.

Dave

did you let the sealer set up before you bolted the pan to the block? from the look of the beads it appears that way... that might have caused a problem. also, do you know if the oil came from your motoro mount bolts or the pan..

i did all the right things for the umpty-umph time last spring and my pan leaked a little by july.... this time around i will switch from my beloved RTV to hondabond and i am in on the group buy for Garfinkle's pan girdle.

pls see group buy interest section. i run Garfink's engine torque brace and consider anything he does to be top notch. his brace will have grooves milled in it to match the raised flutes on the oilpan for instance.

there are a couple of days left to get in on it.

howard coleman

see link in signature

Thanks for the replies. I ordered a new oil pan and the Garfinkle brace. Hopefully that'll take care of it.

there's something about someone w a handle "Six Sigma" and a leaking oil pan that is very funny. only in FD-land.

BTW, i suggest you use Hondabond this time around. and good move on getting the brace.

hopefully we will be leakfree in 07.

running two T04s and a methanol system? easy.

leak free oilpan.. hard.

howard coleman

i used J-B WELD to seal my oil pan and i haven't had any leaks since.






















J/K...... never used hondabond is it sold at local auto-parts stores?