Oil pan crack

Preacherkim · Sep 19, 2016

Hey guys, I have a Branson 4220 that the oil pan found a tree stump and cracked the corner seam. Either I need to have it welded or replaced but was wondering if anyone has taken the oil pan off the engine before would give me a break with this. Thanks!

Stimw · Sep 19, 2016

If the crack is accessible and the pan is still solid I would drain, clean VERY WELL, rough up the surface and seal it with epoxy.
I knocked a hole in the gas tank on a Buick Rivera years ago hitting a rock. When I got the car it had a trailer hitch welded to the frame so I could not remove the tank.
I cleaned up the surface and epoxied the hole and it was still on the car when I sold it years later.

Preacherkim · Sep 19, 2016

Stimw said:
If the crack is accessible and the pan is still solid I would drain, clean VERY WELL, rough up the surface and seal it with epoxy.
I knocked a hole in the gas tank on a Buick Rivera years ago hitting a rock. When I got the car it had a trailer hitch welded to the frame so I could not remove the tank.
I cleaned up the surface and epoxied the hole and it was still on the car when I sold it years later.

Yea, I thought of that but using JB weld which I was told works well on gas tanks. I'm gonna give it a go and let you know how that works out and thanks!
Kim

Stimw · Sep 19, 2016

How well it works will depend on how well you clean the area and scuff it up.
Brake Clean is one of the easiest chemical cleaners to use and it does a great job!

Billrog · Sep 19, 2016

I think it would save time in the long run by taking it off and getting it welded. Had a crack in a Case oil pan took off twice and thoroughly cleaned it used JB weld inside and out 3rd time took it off and welded it up end of leak.

Kubota 2350 · Sep 21, 2016

Before you get too far in the repair, what is the oil pan made of?

Steel, Alum, cast iron, or anything else

muddstopper · Sep 21, 2016

If your plans are to weld it, be very careful about using brake clean. brake clean will gas off when heated and release a very poisonous gas. Personally, if it was mine regardless of material its made of, I would remove the oil pan, clean it and weld or braze it. I just dont like taking chances on something that if it fails it could leak all the oil out and ruin my engine. I have used jbweld on many things, with success, but I still dont trust it.

fidowanttobe · Sep 21, 2016

Yikes. How bad does it leak? Will the crack spread without warning? While I am a fan of JB, on an oil pan I think I would have to pull it and have it welded. Either that or at least install an audible low oil pressure warning.