| Author |
 Topic Search  Topic Options
|
Darrell G (MN) 
Orange Level
Joined: 11 Sep 2009
Location: Green Isle MN
Points: 1496
|
 Post Options
 Thanks(0)
 Quote  Reply
 Topic: 7.3 powerstroke
Posted: 14 Jun 2023 at 7:00am |
|
I have a oil leak on my 2002 F-350 powerstroke, I have had it in for service and was informed that there is a hole in the oil pan. I am wondering if anyone else has had this problem and what was done to repair it.
Edited by Darrell G (MN) - 14 Jun 2023 at 7:01am
|
 |
|
Sponsored Links
|
|
|
Ed (Ont)
Orange Level
Joined: 08 Nov 2009
Location: New Lowell, Ont
Points: 1506
|
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Quote Reply
Posted: 14 Jun 2023 at 7:15am |
|
All depends how bad. If it is all rusty and cruddy then new pan. If not bad overall then a bit of jb weld works ok. Have seen guys use bodyfill as well.
|
|
thendrix
Orange Level
Joined: 04 Feb 2013
Location: Fairmount GA
Points: 5108
|
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Quote Reply
Posted: 14 Jun 2023 at 8:48am |
|
From a quick Google search, it looks like a new pan is between $250 and $350. Consider gasket, oil, and labor, you'd probably be between $500 and $600 to replace it but you don't have to watch for the leak to come back. While JB Weld or body filler would probably work depending on the hole, it's a temporary patch either way. For me, I'd replace it
|
|
"Farming is a business that makes a Las Vegas craps table look like a regular paycheck" Ronald Reagan
|
|
Jgranat
Bronze Level
Joined: 25 Mar 2019
Location: NW PA
Points: 131
|
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Quote Reply
Posted: 14 Jun 2023 at 10:49am |
|
It is likely pinholes from rust and would need replaced. I have repaired a punctured oil pan on a manlift I oxy-acetylene welded it shut without removing it, the repair got us out of a bad spot, but I'm betting access is limited in your case as well as trying to clean the oil from the area would be a nightmare with crossmembers, axles transfer cases in the way.
|
|
200Tom1
Orange Level
Joined: 03 Jun 2019
Location: Iowa
Points: 1232
|
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Quote Reply
Posted: 14 Jun 2023 at 11:53am |
|
That used to be somewhat common. Mine did it. I patched it up and sent it to a dealer auction.
|
|
shameless dude
Orange Level
Joined: 10 Apr 2017
Location: east NE
Points: 13607
|
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Quote Reply
Posted: 14 Jun 2023 at 1:55pm |
|
if there is one, chances are there will be more coming. do you have a car/truck junk yard near you? otherwise....tannerite???
|
|
KJCHRIS
Orange Level
Joined: 21 Dec 2015
Location: WC Iowa
Points: 966
|
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Quote Reply
Posted: 14 Jun 2023 at 3:34pm |
Been a lot of oil pans with pin holes, all makes and models. Favorite get by fix is to braze the holes shut while oil is drained for oil change. Did several at work on gas & diesels. My old 5.8L Ford started dripping at 250,000+ miles. Patched it & ran it another 100,000.
|
|
AC 200, CAH, AC185D bareback, AC 180D bareback, D17 III, WF. D17 Blackbar grill, NF. D15 SFW. Case 1175 CAH, Bobcat 543B,
|
|
Red Bank
Orange Level Access
Joined: 18 Apr 2018
Location: Germanton NC
Points: 1051
|
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Quote Reply
Posted: 14 Jun 2023 at 9:30pm |
|
One common place for a 7.3 oil leak is the dipstick nut on the right side of the oil pan. It will work itself loose and leak when the engine is running. In NC we don’t see much rust, so in your area I could see where rust would be possible, but I would check the pan myself before I tried to have it repaired. The ones I have removed to reseal I had to raise the engine up to the point I had everything loose enough to pull the engine out, so the labor may end up being high.
|
|
klinemar
Orange Level
Joined: 14 Sep 2009
Location: Michigan
Points: 8060
|
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Quote Reply
Posted: 14 Jun 2023 at 9:37pm |
|
Road salt is usually the culprit in oil pan pinholes. Even aluminum gets pinholes. Best to find a new pan. Neighbor bought an over the road semi to haul grain. Oil pan had pin holes and he tried patching. Bought a new motor when the patches failed and a big hole developed when driving on the road with the oil running out and he didn't shut down in time.
|
|
thendrix
Orange Level
Joined: 04 Feb 2013
Location: Fairmount GA
Points: 5108
|
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Quote Reply
Posted: 14 Jun 2023 at 9:41pm |
 klinemar wrote:
Road salt is usually the culprit in oil pan pinholes. Even aluminum gets pinholes. Best to find a new pan. Neighbor bought an over the road semi to haul grain. Oil pan had pin holes and he tried patching. Bought a new motor when the patches failed and a big hole developed when driving on the road with the oil running out and he didn't shut down in time. |
That makes for a damn expensive oil pan
|
|
"Farming is a business that makes a Las Vegas craps table look like a regular paycheck" Ronald Reagan
|
|
Coke-in-MN
Orange Level Access
Joined: 12 Sep 2009
Location: Afton MN
Points: 42033
|
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Quote Reply
Posted: 14 Jun 2023 at 10:05pm |
|
I have brazed holes and cracks in pans several times for others , with pan still on vehicle . Took and drained out oil , removed drain plug , then on the oil fill hole used air hose with regulator to add air to engine . So as oil got hot smoke would issue from drain plug area , and sometimes flames when oil burned . But with positive pressure in engine no problem with explosive reaction .
Could clean it well and fiberglass it with resin and cloth over the full pan to prevent further holes dumping the oil .
|
|
Life lesson: If you’re being chased by a lion, you’re on a horse, to the left of you is a giraffe and on the right is a unicorn, what do you do? You stop drinking and get off the carousel.
|
|
DaveKamp
Orange Level Access
Joined: 12 Apr 2010
Location: LeClaire, Ia
Points: 6089
|
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Quote Reply
Posted: 14 Jun 2023 at 11:50pm |
|
The 7.3 was the best engine... if yours is still doing well, then just drain the oil, drop the pan, and either put in a replacement, or take the pan to a speed shop, have the bottom cut out, and weld in a new bottom half... increase the capacity, make it thick enough so that it can't rust... and put her back on the road.!
|
|
Ten Amendments, Ten Commandments, and one Golden Rule solve most every problem. Citrus hand-cleaner with Pumice does the rest.
|
|
Codger
Orange Level
Joined: 23 Dec 2020
Location: Utopia
Points: 2458
|
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Quote Reply
Posted: 15 Jun 2023 at 7:00am |
|
I have replaced literally dozens of oil pans over the years from salt, or road chemicals exposure along with impact, and at engine rebuild time. Both engine, transmission, and drive axle covers. Not worth the time or liability exposure to half ass a repair; just do it right the first time and be done with it. As parts get lighter, and thinner, they don't last as long; fact of manufacturing as durability is a non issue to the manufacturer once out of warranty.
|
|
That's All Folks!
|
|
Darrell G (MN)
Orange Level
Joined: 11 Sep 2009
Location: Green Isle MN
Points: 1496
|
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Quote Reply
Posted: 15 Jun 2023 at 8:25am |
|
I stopped by the shop that has my truck and we tried to clean a spot and repair. It seems to be porous and weak It looks like there is more than one hole, I told them to replace the pan, I can't take a chance on ruining a good engine. Thanks for all the comments, it helped me with a decision.
|
|
DMiller
Orange Level Access
Joined: 14 Sep 2009
Location: Hermann, Mo
Points: 34335
|
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Quote Reply
Posted: 15 Jun 2023 at 5:56pm |
|
Pans on these were Double Walled, Sound Deadening for EPA Noise limits. Replace the pan.
|
|
HudCo
Orange Level
Joined: 29 Jan 2013
Location: Plymouth Utah
Points: 3948
|
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Quote Reply
Posted: 15 Jun 2023 at 10:38pm |
|
i just changed the pan on a 95 f250 7.3 i pulled the engine to do it , it was cracked behind the flywheel up around the crank shaft som one had tryed to jb weld it . and i welded a 94 f 250 7.3 that was cracked at the bottom were it had been hit by somthing this was all in the same week about a mouth ago , i use compressed nitrogen purge now a days for welding tanks and oil pans and other things that can go bang
|
|
