I have had this pesky oil leak at the front of my SRE pan for awhile now. It's a small leak, but you know how leaks are, it's hard to tell where they are coming from as air currents under the car move it around. The oil pump cover was wet as well as the entire front of the pan. I originally thought it just might be the gasket so I cleaned it up really well and smeared some right stuff over the gasket. Found it still leaking, so I thought maybe the front seal was seeping, but on closer inspection, that looks fine. So last night I cleaned it up really well. Haven't run the engine at all. This morning, I crawl under there and find this, It's clearly coming from under the bolt head. Just looking for some advice on what to seal it with. The bolt is tight BTW. I have teflon tape that is good for oil. What's the best thing to use?
Copper Crush washer Or these.https://www.ebay.com/i/293330032332...ufBhWk_Ku2hpSDJtJIWOXrt0yx3Dle8gaAmXZEALw_wcB
Thanks Bob, I'll keep that in mind. I'm sure I can find something at the Parts store in the right size.
Evidently the gasket isn't sealing around the bolt head. You may get away with the soft copper washer, similar to what some drain plugs use, at least for a while. That leak may simply move down the gasket surface and reappear later. It's likely that the only way to really fix it is to pull and reseal the oil pan. Not fun, especially for a minor leak. Of course, if you plan to pull the engine anytime soon (winter project?), just patch it now and do it then.
Larry, there's a lot of TIG welding there which could have a pinhole leak in it. Given the fact that the drain hole has been milled through the welds I wouldn't be surprised if you found that the pan had to come off to be TIG'ed again and re milled
It isn't that much of a leak for me to even think about removing the pan. I think I will try the simpler methods first. This leak started relatively recently, so I doubt very much whether it has anything to do with the welding.
Larry, you might want to try removing the bolt, clean it and try an anaerobic sealer on the threads, reinstall. Worked for me on some intake bolts on my Olds.
Larry remove the bolt and plug weld the hole problem solved. On a serious note what ever you use to seal/fix it post it up for future members.
Right stuff. possible never tried... this stuff bloody expensive. Works .https://www.amazon.com/3M-Scotch-Seal-Metal-Sealant-Aluminum/dp/B072XSVBFT Ive had exultant results with this...https://www.vintagetrailersupply.com/aluminum-pigmented-gutterseal-vts-138/ ONLY use in well ventilated areas...
hey larry had the same kind off leak on mine . I messed around with the pan and oil pump for years . I finally swapped out balancer and seal, and it seams im leak free first time in years. I would try put some sealer in that bolt ,and if that's doesn't fix pull the balancer and see if its grooved .
Search for 'sealing washer' on an industrial supply site such as McMaster Carr or Graingers. You may even find something in a local hardware or plumbing supply. Stainless would be preferred over copper due to the aforementioned corrosion problem. Banjo bolts and fuel injection systems often use similar sealing washers. For those tough to find oil leaks, an UV dye added to the oil sure helps to locate them.
I PM'd JW. He told me to seal the threads with an anaerobic type sealer, and put some under the head of the bolt. I'll clean it up well with Brake cleaner, and try that. Thank you all for your suggestions.
