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Warped Oil Pan

Discussion in 'XJ Technical Chat' started by fore4runner, Jun 29, 2009.

  1. fore4runner

    fore4runner Member

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    I've had a slow leak from my oil pan - about a dozen drops when ever I stop for about a couple hours. I had the pan off this weekend and found that it had been held slightly open by a small piece of metal that found its way in the last time I installed the oil pan. I've removed the piece of metal but the leak is actually a slight bit worse now (I reused the gasket as it was about a week old and in good shape). I also put gasket maker on both sides of the gasket when I put the pan back on just to be extra sure.

    I was talking with a guy at the local hardware store and he figured that the material around the bolt nearest to the small piece of metal would probably have warped in a bit and would now be keeping the oilpan from obtaining full even contact.

    I am just wondering if anyone has run into this before and if so how I should best fix this. Also was it a mistake to use the gasket when I was also using gasket maker?
     
  2. RickCoMatic

    RickCoMatic Well-Known Member

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    Take the Sump down.
    Clean the Mating Surface. Meticulously clean.
    Clean the Mating Surface to the Bottom of the Engine.
    Lube both surfaces.
    Place Sump back on Engine and secure finger tight.
    Use FEELER Gauges to determine if there is a Warp.
    (Look for cracks)
    The Feeler Gauge should show you if there is indeed a Warp.
    (I doubt its warped. It would crack before it Warped, I think)
    If it is Warped ...
    The thing to do is have the Mating Surface shaved a couple of thousandths to get rid of the Warp.
     
  3. rob_lit79

    rob_lit79 Member

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    I would put the pan back off and use a straight edge to check if the flange has any high spots. If it has a high spot you might be able to fix it by running a flat file lengthwise to smooth out any high spots. I would use a new gasket. If there was something stuck in there before, even though it may look ok, it more than likely damaged that gasket .
     
  4. fore4runner

    fore4runner Member

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    Is it ok to just use gasket maker or is that stuff not nearly as good as a new gasket?
     
  5. Robert

    Robert Active Member

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    You can use gasket maker but I'd use a gasket for insurance. I've made lifter valley pan gaskets with RTV with great success but they are not subject to the oil immersion like a sump would be. I just let the material set up before I installed it, about 2 or 3 hours for a bit of firmness.
     

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