O/T: Leaking Oil Pan

[peterbrown77]

A bit off topic here. I have an older sailboat with a diesel auxiliary engine. The oil pan itself (not the gasket) has developed a leak under a rust spot. Removing the pan is out of the question, at least until the boat is out of the water for the season. Even then, it is going to be a monster job.

Has anyone had any success in patching/repairing/epoxying an oil pan? Are there any products which you would recommend?

My initial thought is to drain all the oil out (pumped uphill through the dipstick tube, actually). This should at least stop the flow and let me degrease the area thoroughly. After that, I am open to suggestion! Work space is limited as is access. I have about 5 inches of vertical clearance between the bottom of the pan and the drip tray; only about 1 inch of clearance on left or right. One issue is that whatever I patch it with cannot be flat or rigid due to the fact that it is near the curve at the edge of the pan and that the rust blister is pronounce (maybe 3/32" high) and I don't want to disturb it out of fear of making the hole bigger.

Any and all opinions appreciated.

TIA

 

[X6StringerX]

JB Weld will soon become your friend. You can fix anything with it. Just make sure that you thoroughly clean the surface so it will get a good bond.

 

[peterbrown77]

JB Weld was the initial response from my brother! I've not used it before. Should I just put it on straight? I was thinking of maybe making a 2" or 3" dia patch out of fiberglass mat and slathering it with 1/4" of JB weld and putting it up there. Will it inhibit the cure?

 

[NHRA]

through the years ive found the quick fix doesnt last . your best bet is buy a nother pan or find someone with a mig welder. sorry I know pulling that MOTOR will be fun. You know once you do it you will fell great. thats what i told my sons and they say i'm right

 

[X6StringerX]

My grandpa has used JB Weld for years on all kinds of random repairs. While he has never had the JB Weld to fail, there is always that risk. However, in this case, I would probably spare myself the trouble of pulling the engine and go the JB Weld route. There are some things that I wouldn't cut corners on, but I really don't see a simple pan crack repair presenting any unusual problems so long as you clean the surface well and allow plenty of time for the JB Weld to set and cure before adding new oil. When this stuff cures, it is hard as steel.

 

[Paraphoe]

JB Weld is excellent. I just recently used it to patch a leaky rusty spot in my Explorer oil pan. Like mentioned, make sure you clean it well. I used mineral spirits, wiped down the whole pan to get all the oil off, then sanded the bottom and sides where I would be putting the JB, and then laid it on. I didn't use any other sort of patch, just straight JB. It stuck, cured, and I haven't had a drop of oil since. Awesome product.

 

[peterbrown77]

Thanks for all the advice. I appreciate the thoughts of the quick fix vs. permanent replacement. Pulling this motor would be a truly horrendous job. For example, the exhuast is hard-plumbed with 2" steel pipe that is completely corroded (the engine was installed in 1980). I will be happy if I can get a repair to take me through the season, and then I will consider the new oil pan.

Thanks to all.