Micro-cracks in oilpan

[WantingaTDI]

Folks.. I shoulda bought a skidplate sooner.

Anyway, I was doing an oil change today (or getting ready to) and saw a bit of oil dripping from the bottom of my oil pan. The oil level is correct so I don't imagine I lost much oil.

Is there anyway to seal the oil pan or do I need a new one? the cracks are really microscopic. I recall hitting some thing 3k miles ago.

--m

 

[ScorpionBoy]

i would replace pan and get the skidplate. imagine one more little hit on that pan now. splat.

sorry.

 

[WantingaTDI]

Will this "new oil pan" work on our cars?
http://www.worldimpex.com/item_detail.html?sku=229499


http://forums.tdiclub.com/showthread.php?t=115433&highlight=229499
Just found this thread. Addresses that it should fit, it has more clearence, weights 3pounds etc.. May require some filing as there is a clearence issue with the A/C Compressor.. :-|

 

[ScorpionBoy]

according to the appchart it will. hopefully someone with more exp will pipe up. i haven't had to get a new one, and hopefully won't. that one is much cheaper.

edit: just read your other post that you already ordered. let us know if that one is sweet. it looks sweet.

ps, order your skidplate now.

 

[wjdell]

Its best to replace -

 

[jasonTDI]

It will fit with some grinding of the A/C. You'll see when you go to install it. DRY FIT it first.

 

[WantingaTDI]

I drainend the oil and started removing bolts. there is 1 10mm bolt I can't get out. It is on the driveshaft side of the oil pan.
I tried a 1/4 inch flex-joint with a 10mm socket and an extender. What do I need to do? Do I need a flex-joint 10mm socket?

 

[paramedick]

http://www.metalnerd.com/cartimages/oilpan.jpg

 

[WantingaTDI]

Ya think one of these would work
http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/prod...rtical=TOOL&subcat=Sockets&BV_UseBVCookie=Yes

 

[david_594]

I think the better way for getting them out is to use a ball end hex driver such as these:

http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/product.do?pid=00946384000

 

[oguzooz]

new oil pan + panzer plate.= money. dont risk cracking it all the way.

 

[WantingaTDI]

I finished the car today. I received Metalnerds part via post today and that was a big help. (shipping was more than the part! total was ~$26 for the part shipped) I do think that a flex-joint 9mm(?) socket would have worked though. The new oil pan does require a bit of modifying to place in the car. I had to take a hacksaw and cut a small corner of a screw post on the AC compressor off. Not doing this the oil pan screw holes will not line up as the compressor protrudes and causes slightly interfere with the placement of the oil pan. I did not want to comprimize the integrety of the oil pan by filing it down. Very easy fix took less than a quarter inch off compressor's the post off. Not a structural modification at all. Regards, Mark

 

[stevneil]

I've seen brand new TDI oil pans with lots of micro-cracking as you call it. The cracking covers a large area of the pan usually. Is your cracking radiating out or in a restricted area near where it could have been hit? If not and its covering a big area like the whole bottom of the pan and up the sides a bit, it's probably like ones I've seen.

Something in the casting process goes wrong and they look really bad.

Don't know of any that leaked, but I wouldn't want one on my car.

 

[WantingaTDI]

I posted detailed instructions on what I did in this other thread:
http://forums.tdiclub.com/showthread.php?t=154270

 

[stancho]

My oil pan has what appear to be a couple of small cracks around the drain bolt. It does not leak. I've only had the car for a few months, but it does not appear that the oil pan has ever been hit. I think that the cracks are probably a manufacturing defect. I am not sure whether overtorquing the drain bolt may have caused them.

 

[WantingaTDI]

Hmm.. the 2 "cracks" right to the left and right of the drain bolt aren't really cracks. I think those are actually from the mold used to make the pan.

--m

 

[stancho]

Hmm.. the 2 "cracks" right to the left and right of the drain bolt aren't really cracks. I think those are actually from the mold used to make the pan.

--m

If that's the case, it's good to know there is nothing wrong with my drain pan. I'm considering a skidplate to keep it that way. Hopefully, nothing will happen while I'm still considering.

 

[ScorpionBoy]

uumm, don't wait too long. there seems to be two kinds of skidplateless folks on here, those who have cracked their oil pan and those who will. just reading all the reports on this site scared me into the skidplate as one of the first upgrades.