2.5L ('98-'01) Cheap fix for cracked oil pan?

[19Walt93]

I am with you on this, the cheap fix is definitely not ideal. I am trying not to get too deep in this truck... running, driving and relatively safe is what I'm after. If he doesn't check the oil and blows it up, that'll be his lesson to learn...

Make sure to explain the expense of replacing the engine will be his and make him help with the swap. Spending the money might make an impression,eating into his week end definitely will.
"Shran"- did you name yourself after the blue guy on Star Trek Enterprise?

 

[Shran]

Make sure to explain the expense of replacing the engine will be his and make him help with the swap. Spending the money might make an impression,eating into his week end definitely will.
"Shran"- did you name yourself after the blue guy on Star Trek Enterprise?

Ha... yeah, good guess. It's been so long now that I can't remember why I thought he was cool.

I've already offered to help him fix whatever else he wants to, I am sure he will take me up on that. I will certainly explain the expense... I remember when I was his age and my best friend ran his truck out of oil, it was a major bummer for him to lose his wheels especially since we both lived out of town. Losing a $300 truck was not a huge thing financially for him but being stuck at home and riding the school bus was.

 

[Snoranger]

This pic reminded me of this thread.

 

[tomw]

If the crack expands/contracts when the plug is inserted/removed, you could stuff JB Weld into the crack, and then remove the plug. The contraction would tend to hold the fix in place. Once set, I would re-drill & tap the hole to the proper size.
Don't forget to drill the end of the crack so it has a 'stopping' point.
tom

 

[racsan]

I have successfully used jb weld on a cast alloy oil pan. About 3 years ago the HHR was inadvertently driven up onto a rock when turning around in a parking area, the oil pan was cracked bad enough to leak but not fully broken up. I got it home and up on ramps, drained oil and sprayed brake clean on it, even into the inside through the drain plug hole. Then I used a shop vac with the hose secured to the oil fill, pulling a vaccum on the crankcase. (drain plug back in) I sprayed more brake clean then used a hair dryer to help dry things out, put jb weld on and some duct tape over the repair area. Shop vac on the entire time, and for a few hours after jb weld put on. Once I turned off the shop vac I took out the drain plug to let the un evaporated brake clean out. Waited another 24 hours before putting oil back in it. So far, so good. has been 3 years now and about 30K miles on it.

 

[Snoranger]

Be careful using a shop vac to suck up brake cleaner fumes... I’ve seen the them explode.

 

[Dirtman]

I like explosions!

 

[Ramcharger90]

Won't it get hard when you knead it?

Only if it needed too?

 

[Ramcharger90]

Ha... yeah, good guess. It's been so long now that I can't remember why I thought he was cool.

I just figured you were Persian like my buddy Hadi.

 

[Shran]

Here's what I did... I'm filling it with oil tonight after a 24 hour cure time, fingers crossed it holds. I ordered a Fumoto drain valve and let the oil drain for two weeks while I was on vacation. I then jacked up the passenger side of the truck so that any remaining oil would drain towards the driver's side of the pan, and cleaned everything with a wire brush and copious amounts of brake cleaner. I then used JB Quick Weld on the threads and the flange to glue the drain valve in place, then used Steel Stik putty on the bottom where the crack is and again around the top of the valve. After that cured I spread more Quick Weld around the edges of the putty.

 

[Dirtman]

I think it'll hold fine. I'd buy the lil lock for the valve. I've heard stories of them getting knocked open when the valve lever hangs down like that one does. The locks are cheap insurance.

 

[Shran]

It came with the lock as well as a rubber cap for the nozzle, just didn't have it installed for the pic. I was hoping to have the lever at the 12:00 position but it was awful tight right there and I didn't feel like pushing my luck. Probably would have pulled whatever threads are left out if I went much further.

 

[19Walt93]

My fingers are crossed for you, if I did that it would bite me in the arse.

 

[Shran]

I let it idle in my driveway for an hour on Tuesday and so far so good, no leak.