I'm sorry for posting something not RR related but you guys know your stuff when it comes to mechanics and fixing problems.

I recently bought a CL. Its leaking oil from the oil pan drain hole. I put the bolt in and I turn to tighten it. It tightens and then just gets loose again. Then it repeats, tight, loose, tight, loose, etc... So i know the threads inside the pan are messed up. I am looking for a temporary solution. I plan on removing the pan and getting it retapped. The downside is I need to use the car to commute to school. I will not be able to get this retapped until fri/sat. Every machine shop I know is closed now and will not open until monday. I do not have time during the week to do the work.

What I am looking for a temporary solution so oil does not leak. I have already went to pepboys and napa in search of a one size up bolt and neither have it stock. I was thinking of getting teflon tape for steam pipes from home depot. Would this work or is it a bad solution? I am afraid of the tape breaking and going into the oil. Any help is appreaciated! Thanks!

 

Are you sure it's the pan? I know on GM's generally the oil plug is made from a softer metal so it will strip before the pan does. It may be worth trying a new drain plug to see if that helps.

 

grind down the inside flat and weld on a new nut that has the same thread pitch as a drain plug but you may need a longer drain bolt. new drain bolts are like ~$2 from the dealer and a washer is $0.25 see if that helps.

 

They also have this thing call pan saver at the place I work at, it would be a useful thing for temporary, but it's a bitch to take out when you don't want to use it no more. BTW, it look like a rubber bushing with a locking spring. I would totally reccomend a long bolt, most of the time I have that problem it ususally fix it, make sure you have a washer on it. I work at an oil change places, and these kinds of problem occur a lot on Chrysler, and rarely happen on Honda unless you excessivly overtightened the bolt.

 

mr nishant, are you using a NEW washer EACH time? Sounds like you don't have a washer on there right now...........you might need two to make it tight.......Good Luck

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by JOE BD-0 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">mr nishant, are you using a NEW washer EACH time? Sounds like you don't have a washer on there right now...........you might need two to make it tight.......Good Luck</TD></TR></TABLE>

Yep, same thing happened to me when a transmission pan drain bolt somehow didn't have a washer on it

 

Got any Hondabond? I would tighten the bolt as much as you can with the treads coated on Hondabond. Then I would apply it to the surround of the bolt on the outside of the pan.


or


Buy a new oil pan.

 

You have not mentioned the drain plug washer... Do you have one? Seems dumb, but your problem could be as easily fixed as just using the correct washer if you are not doing so already.

FYI, the fuel tank drain plug has a similar plug and washer afair. If you leave that washer off, you will end up with gas all over your garage floor. Ask me how I know...


Modified by thawley at 7:33 AM 7/17/2006