# Fixing a damaged oil pan **URL:** \ **Category:** NYSpeed Automotive\ **Created:** [April 23, 2007, 8:16am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/fixing-a-damaged-oil-pan/28113 "2007-04-23T08:16:52Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![POOPRA](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/poopra/32/7188_2.png) [@POOPRA](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/POOPRA)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2007, 8:16am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/fixing-a-damaged-oil-pan/28113/1 "2007-04-23T08:16:52Z")
Well awhile back I had a stripped my oil pan drain plug trying to get it off. Ended up having to cut a notch in it with a cutting wheel and getting it off with a huge pry bar. Problem is that the cutting wheel put a small notch (1-2mm) in the pan right under where the drain plug seal sits. So now I have this annoying oil leak that is very slight but now is leaving a small spot in the driveway since the last oil change I performed. I really dont want to pull the pan off because it would require alot of work for a small thing. Im wondering if I should try grinding it down or JB weld to fill in the small notch. Im afraid if I grind it down I will not have a even surface under the drain plug and it will leak/seep all around the plug. Anyone have any ideas? ---
**Author:** ![MPD47](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/mpd47/32/7383_2.png) [@MPD47](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/MPD47)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2007, 8:21am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/fixing-a-damaged-oil-pan/28113/2 "2007-04-23T08:21:11Z")
Short of pulling it off, your only real option is JB Weld (that I can think of right now). Dont use permatex dont wanna risk that shit getting in your pickup (as it never really dries correctly). ---
**Author:** ![fiend540](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/bcef8e/32.png) [@fiend540](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/fiend540)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2007, 8:25am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/fixing-a-damaged-oil-pan/28113/3 "2007-04-23T08:25:30Z")
I used jb weld on my race car’s oil pan when it bottomed out and put a nice gash in it. As long as you let it dry it works fine and to this day I still havent had a problem. ---
**Author:** ![JayS](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/jays/32/15375_2.png) [@JayS](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/JayS)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2007, 8:26am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/fixing-a-damaged-oil-pan/28113/4 "2007-04-23T08:26:05Z")
I had a small pinhole leak in an oilpan from rust through that I had great luck using JB Weld. I held for over a year and was still holding when I replaced the pan. In your case though, what about just getting a rubber or teflon washer, a little bigger than stock, so it would seal better? ---
**Author:** ![LAFENGAS](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/lafengas/32/7573_2.png) [@LAFENGAS](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/LAFENGAS)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2007, 8:27am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/fixing-a-damaged-oil-pan/28113/5 "2007-04-23T08:27:12Z")
to suggest something different. Drain the pan, maybe put a dab of silicon gasket sealer after cleaning the surface. Give it some time to set up before refilling the oil. In theory it would work, but i can’t verify since in never actually tried. ---
**Author:** ![Freek](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/freek/32/7357_2.png) [@Freek](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Freek)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2007, 8:30am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/fixing-a-damaged-oil-pan/28113/6 "2007-04-23T08:30:47Z")
[quote=“LAFENGAS,post:5,topic:28113"”] to suggest something different. Drain the pan, maybe put a dab of silicon gasket sealer after cleaning the surface. Give it some time to set up before refilling the oil. In theory it would work, but i can’t verify since in never actually tried. [/quote] not a bad idea, but for a permanent fix though? i’m not so sure. i’m going to have to go on the JB weld side of things. take the pan off clean it real nice put the JB weld on let it really dry sand it down a bit so it’s smooth paint the entire pan no one will ever notice your “brand new” oil pan ---
**Author:** ![MPD47](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/mpd47/32/7383_2.png) [@MPD47](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/MPD47)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2007, 8:31am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/fixing-a-damaged-oil-pan/28113/7 "2007-04-23T08:31:55Z")
If he’s going to pull the pan, I’d get it welded, not bother with JB Weld. ---
**Author:** ![POOPRA](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/poopra/32/7188_2.png) [@POOPRA](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/POOPRA)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2007, 8:32am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/fixing-a-damaged-oil-pan/28113/8 "2007-04-23T08:32:26Z")
Im not big on using JB weld but in this case maybe its the best solution. I guess I could fill in the notch with it and cover it with a copper washer. The washer would just be permanently on the pan then. The only thing that is going to be difficult is getting the area clean and dry since its at the bottom of the drain plug. Maybe Ill drain all the oil out, then jack the car up on one side so any extra oil stays in the side of the pan and doesnt keep dripping out. ---
**Author:** ![zwarbyt](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/zwarbyt/32/7623_2.png) [@zwarbyt](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/zwarbyt)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2007, 8:33am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/fixing-a-damaged-oil-pan/28113/9 "2007-04-23T08:33:42Z")
use high temp rtv… worked for me in a similar situation ---
**Author:** ![POOPRA](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/poopra/32/7188_2.png) [@POOPRA](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/POOPRA)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2007, 8:34am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/fixing-a-damaged-oil-pan/28113/10 "2007-04-23T08:34:55Z")
yeah if I pull the pan I would just get a new one, or get it machined down if I could find someone to do that. I just dont want to do it because it would required me to a rather large tear down to get it out. ---
**Author:** ![Freek](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/freek/32/7357_2.png) [@Freek](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Freek)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2007, 8:38am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/fixing-a-damaged-oil-pan/28113/11 "2007-04-23T08:38:38Z")
[quote=“POOPRA,post:10,topic:28113"”] yeah if I pull the pan I would just get a new one, or get it machined down if I could find someone to do that. I just dont want to do it because it would required me to a rather large tear down to get it out. [/quote] had a feeling … sucks when oil pans aren’t that easy to get off. if it’s that small of a hole maybe the rtv might be something to try. :gotme: ---
**Author:** ![LAFENGAS](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/lafengas/32/7573_2.png) [@LAFENGAS](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/LAFENGAS)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2007, 8:39am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/fixing-a-damaged-oil-pan/28113/12 "2007-04-23T08:39:04Z")
[quote=“Freek,post:6,topic:28113"”] not a bad idea, but for a permanent fix though? i’m not so sure. [/quote] no, not as a permanent fix. It would need to be done evertime the oil plug was removed. Or do it once and use an oil pump/vacuum to do oil changes. ---
**Author:** ![JayS](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/jays/32/15375_2.png) [@JayS](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/JayS)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2007, 8:39am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/fixing-a-damaged-oil-pan/28113/13 "2007-04-23T08:39:54Z")
Honestly, I really like the idea of coating a washer with JB weld on the oilpan side and then using the drain plug to snug it into place. 1. The washer makes a nice smooth surface for the plug to seat against. 2. The plug will make sure the washer is at the perfect angle. 3. The jbweld being compressed between the washer and the pan will fill in any imperfection. Just be careful you don’t jb weld the plug in place. ---
**Author:** ![LAFENGAS](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/lafengas/32/7573_2.png) [@LAFENGAS](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/LAFENGAS)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2007, 8:43am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/fixing-a-damaged-oil-pan/28113/14 "2007-04-23T08:43:28Z")
[quote=“JayS,post:13,topic:28113"”] Just be careful you don’t jb weld the plug in place. [/quote] haha, that’d be potentially shitty. ---
**Author:** ![soopa7fly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c77e96/32.png) [@soopa7fly](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/soopa7fly)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2007, 10:29am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/fixing-a-damaged-oil-pan/28113/15 "2007-04-23T10:29:55Z")
you cant just get a self tapping plug thats 1-2mm larger than the one you have now? ---
**Author:** ![Bacon](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/bacon/32/7230_2.png) [@Bacon](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Bacon)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2007, 10:34am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/fixing-a-damaged-oil-pan/28113/16 "2007-04-23T10:34:25Z")
Either ^^ if there is enough or a sealing area. Or JB Weld with a washer, it seems to work great on oil pans for some reason. ---
**Author:** ![LAFENGAS](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/lafengas/32/7573_2.png) [@LAFENGAS](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/LAFENGAS)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2007, 10:39am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/fixing-a-damaged-oil-pan/28113/17 "2007-04-23T10:39:01Z")
[quote=“soopa7fly,post:15,topic:28113"”] you cant just get a self tapping plug thats 1-2mm larger than the one you have now? [/quote] from what i gather it’s a notch that’s 1-2mm deep, not long (could be 1/4" long). I’d think one of the last resorts past pulling the pan would be anything that potentially puts metal shavings in your oil. -1 on drilling/tapping ---
**Author:** ![soopa7fly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c77e96/32.png) [@soopa7fly](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/soopa7fly)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2007, 10:40am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/fixing-a-damaged-oil-pan/28113/18 "2007-04-23T10:40:41Z")
the self tapping plugs are supposed to be designed so that the shavings come out, not go in. i used one and 2 oil changes later i have yet to find any metal. ---
**Author:** ![93dx\_hatch](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/9/90ced4/32.png) [@93dx\_hatch](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/93dx_hatch)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2007, 10:41am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/fixing-a-damaged-oil-pan/28113/19 "2007-04-23T10:41:52Z")
jb weld worked great on Joes old Teg when he bottomed out and cracked the pan a few years ago ---
**Author:** ![POOPRA](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/poopra/32/7188_2.png) [@POOPRA](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/POOPRA)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2007, 10:50am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/fixing-a-damaged-oil-pan/28113/20 "2007-04-23T10:50:18Z")
Im going to try some high temp RTV. I had a fumoto valve on the car before, but took it off to see if a regular drain plug would work better sealing the leak. Ill throw it back on to see if it will seal it up with some RTV. If that doesnt work I will try JB weld [Next page](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/fixing-a-damaged-oil-pan/28113.md?page=2)