Is It "normal" to have a crack oil pan on a 2000 ACR ?

[MontrealACR2000]

Is It \"normal\" to have a crack oil pan on a 2000 ACR ?

Hi guys, got a little problem over here..

I just got the car before winter.. A garage as done the oil change just before I store it for the winter.. All winter, I was having some oil dripping on my floor..

I told my self that it was because of a bad oil seal or something.. So, I went to the dodge dealer, and bought a oil seal for the plug.. Change it.. Problem still there.

So, I concluded that I was having a bigger problem then just a plug oil seal..

I just look at it carefully.. and I found out that I got a crack just beside the Oil plug bolt.. Starting from the bolt and goind up about 1/2".. Dammit..
Like that bolt as been screw to hard ? ..

Is it a common problem ?

What should I do.. Just have it fix by a welder..
buy a new one or a use one..
Or, just go for a atermarket one (Since I am there..) (Where is the best place ? )

Thanks for the advise..

Mike

 

[thebigsnake]

Re: Is It

I'd have it welded. Some good aluminum welding shops along the road to Trudeau airport.

 

[twinturbo3150]

Re: Is It

sound to me like the garage who done the work, done the damage. The average garage doesnt realize that the pan's are aluminum. There used to working on Neon, and colts where the oil pan is stamped steal.

 

[MontrealACR2000]

Re: Is It

I'd have it welded. Some good aluminum welding shops along the road to Trudeau airport.

Thanks. do you have any names of good and reliable shops ?

I had one of my aluminium block weld in the pass.. and the engine block is still running perfectly.. but I dont remember the name of the guy who done the job.. the guy came and bring back the block at my place.. The guy was doing some dealers reparation also.. dammm.. what was is name.. grrr

 

[MontrealACR2000]

Re: Is It

sound to me like the garage who done the work, done the damage. The average garage doesnt realize that the pan's are aluminum. There used to working on Neon, and colts where the oil pan is stamped steal.

Ya, that's probably what happen.. Because its really from that day that start to drip oil..

I just remove the oil pan from the car.. Look like that..

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[twinturbo3150]

Re: Is It

sorry to hear, cant go back to the garage, you know they are going to deny it. You learned the hard way.

 

[MontrealACR2000]

Re: Is It

yes and no.. The problem is that, I know the garage, and I know the guy who work on the car.. And he have done it, during is lunch time.. So, I just dont want to start a war for that.. Just learn the hard way.. will do it myself next time.. torque on that bolt. 25ft/pounds..

 

[Jack B]

Re: Is It

The repair is not that easy. the crack has to be ground entirely out and then the boss has to be built back up. You then have the problem of trying to rethread the hole since it won't be concentric. It might be cheaper to buy a new pan. A hole or a crack in a non-load bearing surface is easy, this is not, if done right.

 

[Blue Pilot]

Re: Is It

Not sure on cost with the viper, but the same thing happened on my boat, and the cost was the same to replace the oil pan vs. repair. I went with a new oil pan.

I am sure some of the vendors on this site might have a used one lying around.

 

[MontrealACR2000]

Re: Is It

New one from the dealer over here, 950$cnd + 15% taxes = 1100$cnd

Repair will cost 150$.. got a guy that will garante the work.

But its a good point. if someone has one use lying arround.. let me know.

Mike

 

[Schulmann]

Re: Is It

What is the color of your Viper ?
Is it a red with white stripes ?

 

[MontrealACR2000]

Re: Is It

What is the color of your Viper ?
Is it a red with white stripes ?

No stripes.. plain red. still don't know if I will put some stripes or not this summer

 

[thebigsnake]

Re: Is It

Andras, we have to find out who this new guy is prowling on our territory. Maybe do a hazing.

 

[MontrealACR2000]

Re: Is It

Andras, we have to find out who this new guy is prowling on our territory. Maybe do a hazing.

Hehe, want to see me.. not hard to find out..

Work at John Scotti Automotive in St-leonard... Subaru Parts Division
for people that are not from Montreal. We are a Lambourghini,lotus,Jaguar,LandRover,Volvo,T-Rex and Subaru Dealer.

Thats what happen when you are in a hurry before winter, and do the job by some other place...

 

[thebigsnake]

Re: Is It

You can stop hurrying now. The salt is back on the roads.

Last Saturday was fantastic though. Took the beast out for the first time this year. I was quickly reminded how freightningly fast machine it is.
Now I can hold my *** till April 1 when my insurance kicks in.

 

[MontrealACR2000]

Re: Is It

Anyway, I don't think that I will take the car out before another 1 month.. because of the bad road condition and all the rocks that they are on the roads..

The oil pan as been sent out today.. Should have it friday or monday.. Should be as new..

Will let you know when I will hit the road with it..

 

[Schulmann]

Re: Is It

Well come in the Viper world.
Don`t worry for the crack.
In 1986 I cracked a MB valve cover.
I guy welded it without issue and it was 20 years ago.
I presume metallurgy progressed as much as computer
It will be a 10 min job.

We have a great Viper club in Montreal.
Check this site for our activities: www.viperacr.com.

Jerry you took out your Viper before me !?
I will be out on the week-end of 1st april.
Last week-end I was ice Diving close to Mont-Tremblant.
I will return this week-end.

 

[dblankenbaker]

Re: Is It

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That is nasty! Every once in a while you can get a stock pan cheap on eBay from someone who installed the larger pan. Good luck!

 

[thebigsnake]

Re: Is It

What's the police looking for in that icy water now?

I was testing suspension settings and the exhaust mod last Saturday on my secret test track.
Yes I finally got brave and looked into the suspension story. Result: the shocks were set at full stiff. Springs were driven right up in the front and set extremely low in the back. The ride was very dangerous the last 3 summers.
Its good to have suspension again. It no longer feels like the car will pound itself to pieces on every bump.

 

[GR8_ASP]

Re: Is It

sound to me like the garage who done the work, done the damage. The average garage doesnt realize that the pan's are aluminum. There used to working on Neon, and colts where the oil pan is stamped steal.

Ha. Take a look under the Neon some day. You might be surprised.

 

[MontrealACR2000]

Re: Is It

What's the police looking for in that icy water now?

I was testing suspension settings and the exhaust mod last Saturday on my secret test track.
Yes I finally got brave and looked into the suspension story. Result: the shocks were set at full stiff. Springs were driven right up in the front and set extremely low in the back. The ride was very dangerous the last 3 summers.
Its good to have suspension again. It no longer feels like the car will pound itself to pieces on every bump.

oh oh.. secret test track.. hmmm
Suspension setting.. I want to check it out also on my car.. I need to check out everything on the car, since its new for me. I got a nice To do list right now. I got the shop Manual from dodge.. but for sure that I will appreciated some real comments from you guys when I will arrive there..

later
Mike

 

[MontrealACR2000]

Re: Is It

So, here are the picture of the job..

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A real insert to change the stock helicoil

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The Result..

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[46hemi]

Re: Is It

sweet!