Chrome oil pan leak
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 2,074
Likes: 280
From: Dyersburg TN
Chrome oil pan leak
had a pan leak so I got a felpro one piece gasket. About the same time I saw a chrome pan at Summit for $30, so why not. I can not get it to stop leaking. The felpro said no sealer. Should I just put the original pan back with a new gasket or re-install the chrome with a good layer of black RV on both sides of the gasket?
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2000
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From: Who says "Nothing is impossible" ? I've been doing nothing for years.
Doesn't surprise me a $30 chrome pan leaks. I would re-paint the original pan I don't think you will get the chrome one to stop leaking.
On another note, many valve cover, distributor, rear intake leaks have been blamed on the oil pan only to find out a new pan doesn't solve the problem.
Invest in an oil detection kit ( $30 ) to find out if it is in fact the oil pan that is leaking
On another note, many valve cover, distributor, rear intake leaks have been blamed on the oil pan only to find out a new pan doesn't solve the problem.
Invest in an oil detection kit ( $30 ) to find out if it is in fact the oil pan that is leaking
Race Director
Joined: May 2006
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From: Dayton, Ohio
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 7,123
Likes: 433
From: Gladstone MO
C3 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
The oil detection kit is an additive you pour in, run the engine and look for traces with a UV light and some color goggles. (Beer Goggles will NOT work, BTW) The light makes the additive glow and you can see exactly where the leak is coming from.
Back to the original question- chrome is so slick that most gaskets won't "bite" and will seep. Take some 180 grit sandpaper and rough up the rails on the pan- go lengthwise, don't go across. I've seen this happen on trans pans too.
Back to the original question- chrome is so slick that most gaskets won't "bite" and will seep. Take some 180 grit sandpaper and rough up the rails on the pan- go lengthwise, don't go across. I've seen this happen on trans pans too.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 2,074
Likes: 280
From: Dyersburg TN
2nd try
I had the original off to change a timing chain and gear. I bought the regular 4 piece type and had a leak at the front (could see it). I got the 1 piece to seal better, that's when I saw the pan. I know only $30, but it was Summit and their stuff has always been good to me.
I guess which ever pan I use I need to spring for a fresh gasket?
I guess which ever pan I use I need to spring for a fresh gasket?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 7,123
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From: Gladstone MO
C3 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
Yep. Gaskets are pretty much a one time shot. 1 piece or 4 piece, use a good shot of RTV at the corners. I usually put a thin coat of RTV on both sides of the front and rear pan seals too, but I've never used a 1 piece gasket either.
Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 31
Likes: 0
From: Ann Arbor Michigan
Not sure if this applys to you or not . . .
Full Synthetic oil can cause headaches with older engine seals . I've seen a couple buddy's do EXTENSIVE unneeded work only to find out it it was the FULL SYNTHETIC oil they thought would be better for their engine.
In your case its probably the chrome pan. As stated above, roughen it up and give it a try.
HABIT
Full Synthetic oil can cause headaches with older engine seals . I've seen a couple buddy's do EXTENSIVE unneeded work only to find out it it was the FULL SYNTHETIC oil they thought would be better for their engine.
In your case its probably the chrome pan. As stated above, roughen it up and give it a try.
HABIT
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 2,074
Likes: 280
From: Dyersburg TN
Oil and Pan and Gasket
I use Havoline 10w-30 oil on all my vehicles.
Ok, so new gasket, coat of RV sealant on both sides. Sandpaper on flat edge of chrome pan if i reuse it. Now if I can just decide reuse or now. The chrome looks good with all the other chrome, but oil tight is more important.
Ok, so new gasket, coat of RV sealant on both sides. Sandpaper on flat edge of chrome pan if i reuse it. Now if I can just decide reuse or now. The chrome looks good with all the other chrome, but oil tight is more important.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2006
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From: Gladstone MO
C3 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
I think Fel-Pro recommends NOT to use RTV on the pan rails- read their instructions to be sure. I have not used a 1 piece, but the 4 piece I stick the end seals up with RTV, then a few spots of 3M weatherstrip adhesive to stick the pan rails up, followed by a dot of RTV where the sides and ends meet.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2007
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had a pan leak so I got a felpro one piece gasket. About the same time I saw a chrome pan at Summit for $30, so why not. I can not get it to stop leaking. The felpro said no sealer. Should I just put the original pan back with a new gasket or re-install the chrome with a good layer of black RV on both sides of the gasket?
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 1,992
Likes: 56
From: Antioch IL
John, i am not sure if this applies to the oil pan but i am sure it does. I read a post where someone had leaks form a chrome trans pan. the solution was to remove the pan and sand off the chrome finish or rough it up so that the gasket can grab on to something to seal.
Good luck BTW the engine bay is looking nice.
Good luck BTW the engine bay is looking nice.
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2007
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From: Austin Texas
Corvette of the Year Winner 2017
2016 C3 of Year Finalist
I had to pull a motor because I put a cheap Chrome oil pan on it.
Trust me it ain't worth the hassle, get a Decent Oil pan.
The cheap Chrome will peel off that in no - time. 69VETT
Trust me it ain't worth the hassle, get a Decent Oil pan.
The cheap Chrome will peel off that in no - time. 69VETT
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2000
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From: Who says "Nothing is impossible" ? I've been doing nothing for years.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
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From: Crossville TN
Your problem is that the pan rail sealing surface is TOO SMOOTH. The gasket can't get any 'bite' into the pan surface. Remove the pan, Put a 100-150 grit piece of sandpaper on a block and scuff up the sealing surface of the pan. Work it all directions...not just one way. It should seal just fine. Don't use any sealant with it.
P.S. If you've overtorqued the pan bolts in an effort to get it to seal, you may have to re-flatten the rail again. Also, do not apply more torque than specified in the Chevy specs.
P.S. If you've overtorqued the pan bolts in an effort to get it to seal, you may have to re-flatten the rail again. Also, do not apply more torque than specified in the Chevy specs.