So I backed my car outta the garage and noticed a decent size oil puddle. I figured I would change the oil and find the leak as maybe something shook loose with all the rattling. Wrong! After cleaning up the mess that I could get to, I noticed a hairline crack in the oil pan right next to the drain plug. Buzzkill. I decided not to remove the plug in fear of making the crack worse. The car has a skidplate welded to the frame for support and what not, but now I can't take the pan off. Suggestions? Will JB weld work? I guess I could take the engine out, but seriously...there's got to be an easier way. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Do you have a welder? Could you just zip a bead across the crack? be careful not to burn through it, though. I don't think the JB weld will hold with the lubricating properties of the oil. You can try it, but I'd drain the oil first, and make sure it is clean (brake cleaner) and dry, but think about how badly it would **** to have that JB weld unstick 300 miles from home.
I have had JB hold temporarily but you eventually will have to weld it. You may also try brazing it. The problem with that, the heat from the torch will most likely draw contaminates from the inside of the pan regardless how clean you get the outside of it. Heat will draw oil and dirt into the working area when welding and brazing.
Save yourself a lot of grief, maybe an explosion or fire or two, pull the pan & replace it or repair it off the car.
The Jalopy Journal
