I ended up buying a brand new engine. I am not sure if I should do the oil pan brace mod while the engine is out because I don't know if they all leak. Is it a problem caused by the age of the engine/pan/gasket or the miles it has done?

 

I would recommend the oil pan brace

 

Don't use the oil pan gasket, especially without a brace. It will leak eventually.

I rebuilt my engine 6 months ago using a Banzai racing oil pan brace and Right Stuff sealant. So far the sealing area between pan and block has been bone dry.

Just make sure that if you do re-seal your oil pan to very thoroughly tap and clean every hole and mating surface to ensure no residue, use GOOD sealant like The Right Stuff not some cheap crap, and remove the oil drain plug and let the sealant cure (I waited 48 hours) while keeping the engine oil pan side up.

One note on oil pan braces though, you might need to buy longer motor mount bolts unless you buy a kit that comes with them ( the banzai racing one does).

 

Thanks for the instructions. Did you let the sealant cure with the oil pan brace on or off? I'm guessing off.

 

Sealant needs to cure with the oil pan and brace installed. Instructions http://www.banzai-racing.com/fd_OPB_instructions.htm

 

Cool thanks!

 

I second the use of Right Stuff sealant and no gasket. The engine I replaced this summer has been dry for several months now. I do recommend really cleaning the surfaces, I always finish with a wipe of brake cleaner to remove any and all poil residue. Next I squeeze out a bead of sealant and finger tighten all bolts, including installing the engine mounts. After that, I'll lightly torque the bolts, careful to stay about 1/2 the recommended value. Then the engine sits for at least a day to set up. When dry, I'll then re torque to spec. I use this same procedure for diffs, valve covers, water fill necks - whatever uses sealant. None of my seals leak afterwards.

 

Make sure you use a torque wrench on those oil pan and pickup tube nuts/studs. It takes very little effort to snap one of those little suckers off. Ask me how I know

 

i have no brace and mine dosent leak. engine has been going 3+ years now.

 

Yeah it's by no means a requirement, but it's extra insurance against developing a leak. If you DO get a leak with the engine in the car, it's no fun to try and fix.

Adding one while the engine is out or during a rebuild helps ensure a better seal.

Maybe its just me but a leaky oil pan just pisses me off, so the extra measure was worth it.

 

Permatex makes a spray sealer that can seal oil leaks. I didn't believe this would work but I purchased a can, cleaned the oil pan seal area with engine degreaser and carb cleaner let it dry cleaned again, sprayed the sealer ,applying about five coats. Has been on for about a year and no more leak! Was a lot easier than replacing pan gasket.

 

Pan brace installed 3 yrs ago...~ 22k miles. Still dry.

 

Thanks for this post...I just ordered a can of this stuff from AMAZON to deal with a pesky leak I've had on my pan since I replaced the engine a couple of years ago.
We'll see how it works...definitely worth a try since I am in NO mood to pull the pan at this moment.

 

So one can of this Permatex does the fix? I'm gonna go ahead and purchase it off Amazon.

 

I've read Permatex reviews in Amazon and it has mixed reviews, some say it works some say it doesn't.......

 

I just received mine....I'll be giving it a try soon. Of course...the temperature here is supposed to drop about 40 degrees tonight...so that might put a hold on my repair efforts for a while.

 

Make sure you drain oil and do a real good cleaning prior to application!
I actually knew the area mine was leaking from, could see the drips when engine was running!
I don't know if it would work very good around the motor mounts!

 

Damn, mine is leaking around the motor mounts.