Hi everyone,

I was doing my oil change and I ended up replacing the oil pan gasket because I found it was leaking. However, I now think that my oil pan has a leak from the drain plug because it is leaking past the new drain plug gasket. There is also small dent on the pan. Is there any other way to fix it without taking out the whole engine to replace the oil pan?

 

Get an oversize drain plug from a local auto parts store.

 

What kind of drain plug gasket did you use?

 

I used the blue kind that is by itself in the picture but I also have all those others available because they came in a package.

 

Is that blue one rubbery, or a hard nylon? Where is the dent in the pan? If the sealing surface of the drain hole is flat, a dent in the pan wouldn't matter. If you can't get the leak to stop with a nylon washer, try the steel ring/rubber insert type. It looks like you have some of those at the bottom of the package. Can't tell if they're the right size though.

 

If it's leaking, be sure it's the plug, and not a small crack from the dent you've got! I had a flat spot on my pan that was next to the plug from hitting something once. I changed pan plug seals to no avail, and found out I had a hair line crack.
I cleaned the pan out as good as I could (without removing it) and then ground the crack, and brazed it closed with the pan on. As long as you keep it quick, and cool it when done, mine worked great and has held for decades!

 

@69, it's the hard nylon one. The dent is about and inch from the plug. I tried using thread tape today but it started raining so I had to give up until tomorrow. I'll keep you guys informed.

@1971BB427, good point! I will definitely make sure it is the plug. The weird thing is that it did not leak from there until I took off the plug for the oil change and went to replace it. What you did to fix your car sounds interesting. Pardon my ignorance but what is brazing and how do you keep it cool? I need a two-year-old explanation. Thank you for all your help in both of my posts.

I will try to post a picture tomorrow when the damned rain dies down. Again, thank you both.

 

Brazing is applying brass rod with flux while heating the metal red with an oxy-acteylene torch. I used wet rags around the pan held in place with blocks of wood around the area, then hit it with a soaking wet rag when it was done to cool it quickly.
If your's wasn't leaking until you removed the plug, it's probably not cracked.