Pizza boss said he doesn't want me delivering in my Explorer if it's leaking.

[98FordLove]

Such bad news, it was the perfect delivery truck since it saved all the wear and tear on my regular car. But tonight he asked me if my Explorer was leaking oil and I said "not that I know of". He said someone is leaking oil and leaving huge oil stains all over the place at the back. I said there were stains there before and that is true but he said it wasn't as bad as it is now. And he suggested me to not drive the explorer if it's leaking.

Darn. Really wish I could get it fixed. And I'm due for new brakes (and likely rotors too) now too on the explorer. Really don't want to go back to my regular car to do deliveries again and put all the wear and tear on it. I may have to for the time being.

I'll just tell the boss "sorry turns out my Explorer was leaking thanks for the heads up, I had no idea that it was."

 

[DemonMudder]

Well dang, that sucks, hopefully ya can get it back up for deliveries again soon enough. Brakes and rotors are a quick and easy one, just got to find the location of the oil leak; wish ya luck on it!

 

[98FordLove]

Well dang, that sucks, hopefully ya can get it back up for deliveries again soon enough. Brakes and rotors are a quick and easy one, just got to find the location of the oil leak; wish ya luck on it!

The leak is from the oil pan, small crack in the top front left corner. Tried to have a mechanic JB weld it this past summer but it didn't work.

Wondering if there's a way I can install like a plastic bucket or something under where it's leaking to catch the oil. Something to create some sort of a nest so it can absorb the oil. Maybe a piece of cardboard directly under the oil pan held up by duck tape?

 

[DemonMudder]

The leak is from the oil pan, small crack in the top front left corner. Tried to have a mechanic JB weld it this past summer but it didn't work.

Wondering if there's a way I can install like a plastic bucket or something under where it's leaking to catch the oil. Something to create some sort of a nest so it can absorb the oil. Maybe a piece of cardboard directly under the oil pan held up by duck tape?

Should be able to get a new oil pan just fine. Just do that, easy fix, messy, but easy

 

[Fix4Dirt]

The leak is from the oil pan, small crack in the top front left corner. Tried to have a mechanic JB weld it this past summer but it didn't work.

Wondering if there's a way I can install like a plastic bucket or something under where it's leaking to catch the oil. Something to create some sort of a nest so it can absorb the oil. Maybe a piece of cardboard directly under the oil pan held up by duck tape?

it would greatly hinder clearence but i think something could be done to make it flow into some catch can that can be emptied. or some highly absorbent heat reisstant material. will look into those

 

[Fix4Dirt]

Should be able to get a new oil pan just fine. Just do that, easy fix, messy, but easy

ohv pan isnt like sohc pan its a 1 part so the engine has to be lifted slightly iirc the sohc is 2 part so the lower one is easy peasy

 

[DemonMudder]

ohv pan isnt like sohc pan its a 1 part so the engine has to be lifted slightly iirc the sohc is 2 part so the lower one is easy peasy

Oh, ouch, is it really? Yeah, may be a pain, still maybe easier than catching it in something else

 

[Fix4Dirt]

thinking out loud here: tack weld (or otherwise adhere) some v shaped aqueduct like thing into a catch basin (or absorbent material if it is far enough from the heat) its very temporary, however, maybe tacking isnt the best approach

or: bring some simple green (or substitute) and just clean it say once a week if boss will work with ya, a pain, however.

or: once you park slide a mat underneath, in the garage have an old laminated paper that catches oil so its easily wiped off

 

[98FordLove]

Should be able to get a new oil pan just fine. Just do that, easy fix, messy, but easy

Oil pan replacement is a huge job on these trucks. Hence why I haven't even done it.

 

[98FordLove]

it would greatly hinder clearence but i think something could be done to make it flow into some catch can that can be emptied. or some highly absorbent heat reisstant material. will look into those

Thanks. I'm looking in this as well. Something like an oil drain pan. And have a highly absorbent mat right under it. The question is how to install it with super easy removal for me twice a week to drain the oil from it. If it has to be removed at each oil change then so be it.

 

[DemonMudder]

Oil pan replacement is a huge job on these trucks. Hence why I haven't even done it.

Well as said, the SOHC should be an easier job, I remember having full access to the lower one on mine, probably should've done mine. But if you've got the ohv, yeah, probably a pain of a job to do, which is still probably the easiest option.

 

[98FordLove]

thinking out loud here: tack weld (or otherwise adhere) some v shaped aqueduct like thing into a catch basin (or absorbent material if it is far enough from the heat) its very temporary, however, maybe tacking isnt the best approach

or: bring some simple green (or substitute) and just clean it say once a week if boss will work with ya, a pain, however.

or: once you park slide a mat underneath, in the garage have an old laminated paper that catches oil so its easily wiped off

Ya I need the drain pan mounted right under the oil pan gasket with easy removal to pour out the oil. There has to be a way. Let me find a pic for reference.

 

[98FordLove]

Is there any way to hook something like this under the oil pan? Then have it pour into a bucket at the end or just lay highly absorbent material across the entire pan to soak as much oil as I can. Then just put all new towel in every few days

 

[Josh P]

Can you post pictures of where it is leaking and the crack?

 

[C420sailor]

Drain the oil. Let it drain for a couple days if it’s at a low spot in the pan. When no more oil is weeping out, clean area thoroughly. With rags/cloths soaked in a good solvent like acetone or brake cleaner. Apply UltraBlack RTV and press a little through the crack so it acts like a plug. Apply some more. Surface area is your friend. Let it cure at least overnight. Refill oil.

I did this on a large puncture in my 5.0 pan 18,000mi ago. Not a drop since.

 

[98FordLove]

Can you post pictures of where it is leaking and the crack?

.

Can you post pictures of where it is leaking and the crack?

Sure I'll get some pics for you in the morning when it's light out again

 

[Josh P]

RTV is a good quick fix, it could last for years. You could also use aluminum brazing rod and a propane torch to fill in the crack. That would be a more involved process cleaning everything up to ensure you don't start a fire.

 

[98FordLove]

Drain the oil. Let it drain for a couple days if it’s at a low spot in the pan. When no more oil is weeping out, clean area thoroughly. With rags/cloths soaked in a good solvent like acetone or brake cleaner. Apply UltraBlack RTV and press a little through the crack so it acts like a plug. Apply some more. Surface area is your friend. Let it cure at least overnight. Refill oil.

I did this on a large puncture in my 5.0 pan 18,000mi ago. Not a drop since.

This is what I paid a mechanic to do 4 or 5 mo ths ago and it slowed it but didn't work. I was able to get him to fix the crankshaft seal leak but he JB welded it and it still leaks. But he didn't let it drain for long enough, he pretty much drained it and then JB welded it right away.

I need to find a way to hook on a good size oil pan right underneath it. And then stick like a huge sponge to fill the entire thing. A sponge should soak oil right up.

 

[Mbrooks420]

Any kind of pan isn’t really an option. It’s not gonna happen. UltraBlack like suggested above is the way to go if it’s not a repair you can make yourself.

 

[J_C]

I agree with others, for the time being get the crack area VERY clean and put some RTV sealant on it. That will work, if you get the area clean enough, like use brake cleaner a few times, after you've drained the oil well past the crack (but not completely empty because...) spray plenty of it into the crack, wait, spray again a few times. Apply RTV, use a putty knife (or credit card, etc) to wipe/press the RTV into the crack, then apply a generous layer over it, for a good 1/2" or more around it. Let that cure overnight without running the engine, then drain the rest of the oil to flush out the brake cleaner, and refill. If you put on a super thick layer of RTV, it may need more time than overnight to cure, better to plan ahead when you don't need to drive it for as long as possible.

I have to wonder though, with gas prices inevitably rising again, if something that gets terrible fuel economy is really the best choice for delivering small things like pizzas... unless you get to use the company credit card to refuel.