leak in combine oil pan--can it be fixed?

littlefarmer · Oct 10, 2020

My 1420 combine has developed a leak in the oil pan. It's around the welded "bung" where the drain plug screws into. The leak is in the weld bead on the oil pan. I think the threaded part is ok. It looks like this threaded "bung" has been welded before.

Was wondering about any ideas on how to fix this. Would packing epoxy putty around it fix it? Of course, I'd have to make sure that all oil and grease was cleaned away. Spraying it good with break cleaner, and brushing it with a wire brush.

Replacing this oil pan would require removing the engine. Hoping someone out there has some advice on this. Thanks!

UncleTom · Oct 10, 2020

I would re weld it. Vibration will probably make it crack again.

miangus · Oct 10, 2020

I have used epoxy on a oil pan on a drag car. Worked fine. Worth a try.

Royse · Oct 10, 2020

I take it from this statement "Replacing this oil pan would require
removing the engine." that you can't take it off to repair it either.
"If" you try to weld it in place, make sure your ground clamp is on
that pan. Otherwise welding current could flow through the engine
bearings and ruin them.
Epoxy may work if clean. At least temporarily.
Brazing may also work if you have some experience.

Steve@Advance · Oct 10, 2020

If it's a pin hole in the weld, epoxy would have a very good chance of fixing it.

As you said, clean it well, mash the epoxy into the hole.

But if it's cracked, it will probably need to be welded or brazed. I would not try it with the pan on, but I'm not that good at brazing. It would make a burned mess inside unless someone knows a special trick. Maybe blow in inert gas?

You would however have nothing to loose by trying to epoxy it.

A few months ago there was talk of some super military grade epoxy, can't remember what it was called, but supposed to be some great stuff.

fixerupper · Oct 10, 2020

If you do use epoxy hit the hole or crack hard with compressed air after you clean it to try to blow out the oil. Spray it again with the carb cleaner and blow again then do it a third time. The goal is to get the inside of the hole or crack just as clean as the outside. Rub the epoxy into the crack or hole with plenty of pressure then build whatever thickness you think is right on the outside. Doing this does not take much more time and there is a chance of a better longer lasting seal. I have opened up cracks just a bit with a thin cutting wheel before I cleaned and epoxied with fairly good success.

sotxbill · Oct 11, 2020

(quoted from post at 22:03:55 10/10/20) If you do use epoxy hit the hole or crack hard with compressed air after you clean it to try to blow out the oil. Spray it again with the carb cleaner and blow again then do it a third time. The goal is to get the inside of the hole or crack just as clean as the outside. Rub the epoxy into the crack or hole with plenty of pressure then build whatever thickness you think is right on the outside. Doing this does not take much more time and there is a chance of a better longer lasting seal. I have opened up cracks just a bit with a thin cutting wheel before I cleaned and epoxied with fairly good success.

3 rules for epoxy.. 1 it must be clean. 2 it must be clean, 3 it must be clean.

If....you can use alcohol, sand it, alcohol, blow it dry, clean it, blow it dry and then clean it some more... The repair will last forever...

HOWEVER... this means you need to drain all the oil, flush the oil pan many many times with a cleaner, on the inside, and outside.

If you can get it clean and sand the area, the jb weld, or epoxy can adhere and dry... you repair will be permanent.

Where I have be able to clean it, I have had 100% success. Transmissions, Rearends, gas tanks, etc.. Have not had a chance to do an engine block yet...

the tractor vet · Oct 11, 2020

I can't say how i would address this problem as i have never worked on a I H combine or ever been up on one so as to access to the engine on both sides i don't know here But i have removed and oil pan on a Massey with out pulling the engine buy unbolting and lifting and blocking with a whisker of room to drop and slide out , No it was NOT a fun job and i could bend and twist alot better back then.

leak in combine oil pan--can it be fixed?

littlefarmer

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UncleTom

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miangus

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Royse

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Steve@Advance

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fixerupper

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sotxbill

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the tractor vet

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