I have a 1993 300TE Wagon that got a huge hole punched in the oil pan, and I was wondering if it was realistic for me to try and patch the hole instead of completely replacing the oil pan??
I have found a replacement pan, but it is more than I would want to spend if I could possibly just patch the hole with something like JB Weld. It is a MASSIVE hole though, about the size around of a 2 liter of soda, so I am not confident, and would appreciate some advice to proceed. PLEASE no flames, :flamg:just useful help here!!:wave:
The pan does not "patch" unless you are well versed in welding. Doing that on sheet metal requires welding god level. The part is least expensive way to get the car on the road. I too holed a pan and tried a few "solutions" that really did not work. I sprang for the pan and put the car back on the road after screwing about for a few weeks.
Thank you, but I was trying to find a cheaper solution that did not require me to remove and replace the entire pan....
So, I guess there is no other option then huh??
Fine I will do it the hard way!! :crying
In any case I appreciate a straight answer and not a FLAME!!
Also, I had been informed that JB Weld did not require direct welding on the part, and was more of a putty that would dry as a metal bandage of sorts....
Meh... Maybe not.:frown Thanks for the info!! :beerchugr:
To get good adhesion or really any decent repair, the pan needs to be removed, scrubbed, prepped and made good. Pan wants to be oil, heat, and pressure resistant.
Drain oil and clean VERY well. Best done with pan removed. Cut a sheet metal patch much larger than the hole. Slather the patch heavily with your JB Weld and place patch on outside of pan. Drill and pop rivet FROM THE INSIDE. Use many rivets.
This is a Half-Assed emergency repair and should not be counted on. I recommend replacing the pan. They are not that expensive especially compared to lunching your engine because massive oil loss.
As redghost said, in order to do a repair properly, the pan must be removed. Once you are that deep into the labor it would be false economy to attempt a patch on such a critical element. Just because something can be "repaired" doesn't mean it should be. Buy new or find an intact used part!
Alright, thanks everyone who replied, but as this is not truly my vehicle, and it is a difficult fix as I have been told, I believe I may put this off for a while, and get back to it in time.... :|:|
That being said, it IS a large hole in the bottom of the engine, and I am reluctant to leave it sitting like that for fear that stuff will get up into the engine :frown
I have tried covering the hole with duck tape, but it does not seem to hold, and falls right off after walking away from the vehicle, so for now, I have just stuffed an old rag up into the hole.
My question now becomes, is this a decent long term solution, or do I need to do more prep before leaving this vehicle sitting for a month or two?? :dunno:
Again, I KNOW I am not a Mercedes specialist, and would appreciate some good, straightforward answers here, and NOT to be attacked for lack of knowledge. :help::notworthy::notworthy::help:
Where I live rats and mouses love to make nests on engines. Amazing how they can climb the tires on my high-raise truck and get there.
So if you have rodents, the rag might not stop them from moving inside the engine.
I would put metal plate and bungee cord it to the engine.
Duct tape will not hold over oil, but if you wash the pan it should stick.
I am not so much concerned with rodents, or living things getting into the engine as I am curious about leaving the vehicle sitting for a while without oil in the engine, and potential damage from the elements, or temperature during the sitting period truly, but thanks for the response nonetheless!! :angel:smile:angel
I've been dealing with engines sitting for 7 years and in dry CA weather never had to do much more than put new batteries.
Gasoline will loose light fractions after 2 years, making harder start, but diesel is good for a decade.
Just so I understand correctly, you want to store the car, not drive, until you have time and dollars to effectuate a proper repair?
In that case, scrub the crap out of the bottom of the pan. Get it surgical clean. Make a metal patch two inches larger than the hole. Tin can thick is fine. Use a tube of gasket maker on both surfaces and mate them up. Allow it to cure well, then fill the engine with a quality synthetic oil and fresh filter. Run the motor for a few minutes to distribute the oil so it coats all parts well. Squirt a teaspoon of diesel fuel into each spark plug hole, crank over the engine so it spreads, then install plugs and put it to sleep.
THANK YOU SOOOO MUCH:devil :grin:wink:grin
An actual helpful reply HERE.... :nerd
I was not sure if it was possible honestly, but I will take your advice for sure!! :devil
Alright so,I have assumed that by "mate them up" you mean place the metal patch against the hole, and place something under them to hold them together for a while.... :nerd
That sounds simple enough, and I have gotten both the bottom of the pan, and the metal patch shiny clean and sanded smooth. I will place the gasket sealant between the two, and mate them together as well as placing a brace beneath the patch to hold it in place. :goojob::beerchugr::goojob:
Thanks again, and I will post back the results!!:grin
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