hairline crack on the oil pan

[Slick92GS-R]

while assembling my motor on the engine stand i noticed a *very slight* imperfection on the oil pan. from the outside it seems to be a crack, but looking from inside it doesn't show.. hardly noticeable at all but, *sigh*. as a precaution can this be welded? of course if i can find a new one i'll get it.
the oil pan seems to been too delicate, are there any upgraded pans available ?

[nando]

I'd replace it, but you can always JB weld it temporarily. the question is, you already have the motor out of the car so why not replace it now?

[Slick92GS-R]

i agree --but its finding another good one that is a P-I-A

[demlotcrew]

get a another one!

[AdamF 88iS]

Usually they can be welded if the guy welding is good. If the welder isn't carful with how much heat he uses then the crack could actually spread, 'running away' from the weld heat.

[george graves]

Call around - tell them you have a oil saturated aluminum part that need some tig welding. I had my repaired for $25 - but it took the guy a good half and hour.

[Slick92GS-R]

Call around - tell them you have a oil saturated aluminum part that need some tig welding. I had my repaired for $25 - but it took the guy a good half and hour.

oil saturated aluminum -- is like the cooties ? . lol thanks i least i know what to ask for

[demlotcrew]

Usually they can be welded if the guy welding is good. If the welder isn't carful with how much heat he uses then the crack could actually spread, 'running away' from the weld heat.

IF you drill a hole you can stop the spreading.

Andrew

[e30evolution]

i drilled 1/8inch holes at the ends of the crack took a cut off wheel and groved the crack a little bit (more surface area) then cleaned the surcae with scotch brite.... mixed up some good ol' jb weld and went to town... been like that for almost a year now... my car doesnt leak a drop, from anywhere

[george graves]

oil saturated aluminum

Yea, it makes the welding harder. You have to almost heat it out, then it turns into carbon, and that in rutns make the welding harder.

Drilling and grinding are both good ideas.

[Jand3rson]

i agree --but its finding another good one that is a P-I-A

Nah, they can be found in good condition used on ebay all the time. I got the one for my wife's 325i on ebay used, and it was as good as new, for $60.

[Slick92GS-R]

i spoke to a local welder- he says knows what to do about oil saturation -- i'm gonna check him out

[T.Dot E30]

Im kicking myself for not replacing the oil pan gasket when the engine was out. Actually i should be kicking my dad since he took the engine out.

Too much work to get to it now, I'd say diffinately do in when its out.

[Slick92GS-R]

Im kicking myself for not replacing the oil pan gasket when the engine was out. Actually i should be kicking my dad since he took the engine out.

Too much work to get to it now, I'd say diffinately do in when its out.

-- yup .. to keep my cursing and busted knuckles to a minimum, lots of my r&r is gonna happen w/motor out of the car

[oh2fly]

Check with a machine shop. They usually have a good parts washer. Our machinist gets the pans so clean , they look new. Then they weld them up for us. We have done dozens of them without a problem. (knockjng on wood)