So i found a crack in the bottom of the oil pan today, not sure what caused it. slapped some JB Weld on it for a temp fix, but its not holding up. if i left it uncoverev it was probaly dripping once every 5-10 minutes. im not sure if i should go ahead and replace it or if there is a better solution than JB Weld. Anyone have any opinions?

 

Well, the best fix is to replace it.

But, I have seen some weld up cracks in the oil pan but, mind you oil will catch fire....if you choose to have some one weld it you will need to drain the oil and clean the heck out of that little dude (crack)....might even let it set with no oil in the pan for a day or so....so all the oil (or most of it) will be gone. Use some sand paper to clean off the paint and then use some brake cleaner to clean the oil off of the crack.....when you weld it will actually pull oil outta the crack/metal too so, you will probably have to weld a little spot, then clean, weld a little, clean..until you are done.

 

Well, just today I had a chat with the Chevrolet and after a check they said me that the best thing to do when there are broken pans is to put a new one as they are not too much expensive and they save a lot of bucks for further problems. Luckily was not my case but I believe that saving bucks by replacing a part is better than crying later!

 

amnotblonde....yes that is correct...but, you have to pull the engine to replace the oil pan...and that will add up to some bucks if the dealers does it.

At the local dealer it would cost close to $1400.00.

1998 S10 Blazer 2wd
Book time is [email protected] $98.00 per hour
Oil Pan Kit....$234.36

Then you have to add oil and filter plus taxes you would be closer to $1500.00 after you walked away....all bow legged from the looks of that price.

For that you could have a good rebuilt engine...LOL or for that matter 2-3 complete used engines.

Me I would weld it up, if I did not have the tools to replace the pan...ie..engine hoist would be the main tool.

 

Is it not cast aluminium? Stock 4.3 4wd if

 

If its not cast alumnium, problem solved. Ill tig it up in 20 minutes. better yet ill just pull out the spool gun. but if its cast... might as well relpace it. Has anyone ever tried to weld cast al? Not an easy task.

 

Me personally no...but, you can tig cast too. There is a machine shop behind where I work and we had him weld up a crack in our shop truck oil pan on a 2004 Silverado with the 6.0L and it has not leaked a drop.

I am not sure if it is cast on the 4wd or not....also that would cost more to replace (labor wise) too.

EDIT: Yes, it is a cast pan on the 4wd.