Son of a...

[deltamoon]

Is axactly what I said tonight. I was driving the Q home and ran over (couldn't avoid it, cars all around me) what I think was a sawblade? but made a loud bang on the bottom of my car. So I pulled into a nerby parking lot to check it out, to find out that it put 2 holes in my oil pan! . It dumped every bit of oil left in that spot. Well I called my uncle and had him come tow it and give me a ride home. I'm just really mad because I didn't do anything wrong and am going to have to pay for it...P.S. How much time does it take to replace an oil pan or could the holes be fixed? THANKS for any help

[squeefoo]

OOOH that sux! One of my paranoid worries come to life!

You could have the pan welded, after you take it off . Pop pop just posted on taking the pan off w/o pulling the X-member.

Just a thought...

[MinisterofDOOM]

Ouch. I hit a fiberglass ladder (In my old pickup) at freeway speed once because I got blocked in by traffic, too. It got launched and shredded. No damage to the truck, though--much to my relief.

[deltamoon]

Thanks guys. I'm just really mad my Q doesn't deserve this. I just spent about $700 on the chain guides. Plus it was near some constuction so I'm thinking that it was a careless worker...

[sijoko]

I feel for you, man.

In Dallas, I see a lot of stuff like that. Usually, it is ladders that have fallen out from the back of pickup trucks. I have also seen a huge sofa, a deep freezer, a Dogloo dog house and also two Live Oak Trees in 30 gallon containers that fell out of a landscaping truck. All these were on highways in and around the city.

It seems to me that people in America are getting more dumb by the minute. Why can't they secure the stuff they put in the back of their vehicles?

Once, I witnessed the car in front of me run over an aluminum ladder at 65mph. It wasn't pretty. I was able to swerve in time but I felt sorry for the guy who didn't. It tore up his undercarriage.

At least, you pulled over right away and avoided further damage.


Modified by sijoko at 4:19 PM 1/11/2007

[JedCoop]

Thanks guys. I'm just really mad my Q doesn't deserve this.

I think you should be happy. What your Q didn't deserve is being driven without oil in the pan. Lots of folks just keep driving unless the wheels feel like they are falling off :-(

p.s. I have owned a couple of Scirocco's, too. I loved them. But I don't fit in the newer ones, like your '84.

[BadQ45t]

If this really runs up on the repair bills that is covered by your collision policy. They usually do not raise your rates or hold it against you on something like this.

[Jeff Williams]

Call the dealership for a quote. I bet it is close to $2,000.00

The oil pan is about to $700.00, and the labor to R&R it is about 8 hours.

I was "directed" off the interstate by a transfer truck one day in Layla, and I put a couple nice dents in mine. Fortunately, they were no where near the oil pick-up.

The bill was close to $4000.00 for that, the left exhaust pipe section with the cat, the lower plastic engine shield, the front bumper, and a PS line.

[tkd_q45]

Maybe we should look into adding some kind of oil pan guard? I remember old Alfa Spiders having these because of there low hanging oil pans.

Anyone have any thoughts?

[elwesso]

Probably wouldnt be a bad idea...

Delta- fortunately you have tangalora's oil pan thread to toy with... I wasnt aware the oil pan was so expensive, i thought it was cheaper than that... Hmm

I would definitely try your insurance company before you start repairing it yourself!!!

[Q451990]

The Oil Pan is $283.45 from Joe... labor is the killer here.

Back in 2001, I hit something with Q1 on I-77 that was shaped like a concrete cinder block, but was made out of pressure treated lumber (as best I could tell). Took out the oil pan, right suspension member, crossmember that holds up the oil pan, and some other stuff. I filed it under my comprehensive coverage... no rate increase - $500 deductible. Good news was that I got the A/C compressor drained and refilled with fresh oil...

Heath

[maxnix]

Experienced motorcycle riders know that one has to always leave an avenue of escape. It drives me nuts when my wife gets boxed in when she is driving. Her mom loves to hover off the right rear corner of semis! Arggggh.

It is also the cause of any short term extra legal driving I do to get that clear lane next to me.

[redmanfx]

I'm cringing cross country man... That sucks! Junk yard oil pan and DIY. You can DOOOOOO IITT.

red

[96Qowner]

... leave an avenue of escape. It drives me nuts when my wife gets boxed in when she is driving. Her mom loves to hover off the right rear corner of semis! Arggggh.

It is also the cause of any short term extra legal driving I do to get that clear lane next to me.

Heheh, me too. One of my pet peeves. I don't let cars spend much time next to me, one way or the other.

But stuff happens. I was driving a rental car cross country when I hit the remains of a rim (looked like a tar strip). Tore the everloving crap out of a tire and imbedded itself an inch into the aluminum rim. The rim took out the transmission in the brand new car in front of me. They had JUST come from the dealership! And then, lo and behold, a wrecker from a nearby shop in the middle of NOWHERE, "conveniently" shows up and strongly encoruages both of us to let them tow us to their shop. I declined, changed the bad wheel and drove there to see what they could do for me. Dusty, crappy, redneck hick shop - gave me the creeps. I took off on the spare and dealt with it when I got to where I was going.

Big bummer, deltamoon. Damn.

[DrewQ45]

Maybe we should look into adding some kind of oil pan guard? I remember old Alfa Spiders having these because of there low hanging oil pans.

Anyone have any thoughts?

Great idea esp for those with lowered Q. When I first moved to Georgia, it seemed that everyone was throwing stuff out of moving vehicles at me. I eventually ran over an exhaust in the road and it tore my plastic shield to bits. Got back one from T3 when I had my guides changed. I also have a thumb sized dent from a rock which I struck on the side of a road while trying to make a u turn.

Me think's I'll need to get rid of my fumoto oil drain valve (extends down about 3/4 inch) or install a sheild when I switch to the Cali Custom springs.

[maxnix]

Maybe we should look into adding some kind of oil pan guard? I remember old Alfa Spiders having these because of there low hanging oil pans.

Anyone have any thoughts?

The old Alfa Romeo 4 cylinder had finned cast aluminum oil pans (7.4 qts for 2L!) with the bottom cast separately for easy replacement. The steel cage guards hung down an extra 1.5" which meat things cleared before were now hit by the low sump guard. It was a toss up as to which was worse.

An interesting note is that while the VH45DE has a stamped steel oil sump, the VH41 DE has a beautiful (and proper, IMO) cast aluminum one. Definitely the prettier engine from under the lift.

[hal90000]

I'll probably get dumped on for suggesting this, but .........

Many years ago I ran over something in my MR2 that put two small holes in the pan. I called the dealer who was the one who actually suggested this. I wire brushed the area really good and then used an expoxy filler. Lasted for over 5 years. The holes weren't too big though.

[squeefoo]

Me think's I'll need to get rid of my fumoto oil drain valve (extends down about 3/4 inch) or install a sheild when I switch to the Cali Custom springs.

Yikes! I can barely get my floor jack under there. Took a long hard look at those valves when I did fleets (GE, Honeywell, rental cars,Etc.) and decided the liabilities were too high, even though $uction is fa$ter than draining. (Don't touch it )

I remember avoiding a pallet laying on the freeway at night that the poor guy out in front of me didn't.

[deltamoon]

Hey, Thanks for all the replies guys. I Couldn't really aviod it, I mean it was a busy road with constant cars I couldn't have left myself any opening. As far as the insurane thats a no because I'm on liability only. I was thinking of maybe an epoxy or would welding the holes be a possabillity?

Hey Jedcoop, I just bought the scirocco a few months ago at an auction, and seems to be a good little car. There aren't too many around any more....Thanks guys!

[elwesso]

Not sure why youd prefer an aluminum oil pan over a steel one... I wonder if you could swap the oil pans (very doubtful)

[BlackBirdVQ]

Not sure why youd prefer an aluminum oil pan over a steel one... I wonder if you could swap the oil pans (very doubtful)

Personal experience with aluminum oil pans vs steel is- Aluminum ones rarely ever leak. For instance base RSX uses a STEEL pan like our G50s but the Type S model uses a aluminum pan. With some mileage the steel pan loves to leak, same thing goes for all the Integras, yet the aluminum pan engines never/verrrry seldom leak- Honda wise.

I belive this is due to the thermal expanssion of the metals, as steel has different expanssion rate to that of an aluminum material.

I also wonder of the VH41 pan would fit the VH45 without any modifications ? I want to repleace my oil pan on my Q because its leaking a tinny bit of oil (thanks to Mobil 1 that I started to use) and its very rusty in the rear part by the power steering rack. I will be getting a new pan regadless, but if the Y33 pan will fit, I will get it. At the same time I need to get a new P/S rack so I will be dropping the subframe to do this, put some new engine mounts in while I am at it.

[deltamoon]

Hey,Is it possible to weld it? and I know it takes a long time to take it out or put in but is it very difficult? Why does it take so long to remove?

[Peterofdevon]

This should be covered under your comprehensive part of your auto policy. Much like a stone hitting the windshield.

Not your fault...no rate increase under comprehensive.

Plus its usually less a deductable

Peter

[DrewQ45]

This should be covered under your comprehensive part of your auto policy. Much like a stone hitting the windshield.

Not your fault...no rate increase under comprehensive.

Plus its usually less a deductable

Peter

As far as the insurane thats a no because I'm on liability only.

[deltamoon]

Ok If I can do this myself how long would it take? Taking off and putting on?

[squeefoo]

Ok If I can do this myself how long would it take? Taking off and putting on?

Quote »We didn't have a air compressor so everything was done manually including removing front tires! I started about Mid-day and car was up and running by 6-6:30 pm. Most of the time went to cleaning oil pan and baffle checking crank and rods for wear! Removing and finding the o-ring for pick-up tube and de-greasing bottom of car! I don't like to re-assemble cleaned parts to dirty surrounding areas! If you hit a greasy spot while re-installing part might cause a leak! [/quote]zer...95244

[elwesso]

I made an easier to understand article in the INFINIIT ARTICLES section.

[one ton garage]

Cast oil pan vs. stamped steel oil pan... if both were OEM and there was no inherent advantage to going with the alum one (i.e. if it didn't have better internal baffling or larger capacity, etc.), then the steel pan will always be a better choice. Why? Because when you hit something with the steel pan, it will just dent, whereas the cast alum pan would crack open. A steel pan can break open also, as some have experienced, but it takes quite a bit more to get one to fail vs. an alum pan. I know someone who actually had a crack in his Q oil pan welded up while ON the car! I wouldn't recommend the same... but the person who did the work knew what he was getting into, and what he was doing, and did an amazing job. Of course, the success of such an operation also depends on the size and location of the crack. I was making a few oil pan guards, and figured they were more of an esoteric piece that would only benefit those few Qs I know of that were really low, but it seems that even Qs at normal ride heights can face oil pan peril... hmmm, maybe there is a market after all.

[Jesda]

My last Q had a large crack in the pan down middle. Someone welded it back together and it was just fine.

[deltamoon]

Ok thanks guys! I did check out the other post, it is VERY long but good info. We did clean it while it's still on the car and put some JB weld on it, I'll check it tomorrow and see how it looks and maybe put some oil in and see if it leaks out...