OIL LEAK

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JMZ421
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OIL LEAK

Post by JMZ421 » Sun May 20, 2018 9:59 am

My M38 leaks at one oil pan bolt. It drips a few drops after shut off. I initally thought it was my fuel pump. I did tighten a bit. I am OK changing the entire gasket but wanted to know of there is a fix to this without changing the gasket. It looks like the oil is coming from around the bolt itself and not from where it meets the block.
Thanks, John


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Re: OIL LEAK

Post by Joe Gopan » Sun May 20, 2018 2:34 pm

Which one is it? Remove it and coat the threads with Permatex #2 or #3.
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JMZ421
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Re: OIL LEAK

Post by JMZ421 » Mon May 21, 2018 8:07 am

Ok, I will try that. I believe its the 1st or 2nd bolt rounding the corner from the front, right above the oil drain plug. Thanks, John

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dpcd67
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Re: OIL LEAK

Post by dpcd67 » Mon May 21, 2018 8:45 am

All oil pan bolts, and any bolt that penetrates either oil or water containers, must be thread sealed with permeated. It smells good too. I apply it with my fingers.
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Re: OIL LEAK

Post by Joe Gopan » Mon May 21, 2018 9:50 am

Permatex sealers were used by Willys for the various sealant requirements and are noted in the Willys list of Vendors contributing to Jeep production. Permatex 1, 2, and 3 are still sold today and just as effective as they were back in WWII.
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Re: OIL LEAK

Post by artificer » Mon May 21, 2018 12:32 pm

Besides what has been mentioned these compounds work considerably better added when/while the area is 'clean' & no oil is present.
Often folk try to stop an oil leak by zealously overtightening the securing bolts.
This action distorts the oil pan & potentially damages the gasket, compounding the leak issue.

On an oil pan [sump] the securing bolts often have thicker, wider & in some cases rectangular flat washers to spread the securing force/load over a larger area & not distort the oil pan hole/s.
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Understand how system parts interact with one another. GOOD parts can then be established & the NOT GOOD problem/s part/s isolated for repair or replacement.

JMZ421
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Re: OIL LEAK

Post by JMZ421 » Thu May 24, 2018 6:00 am

Thank you all for the advice. I used some permatex thread sealant on the threads and around the small lockwasher and no leaks. Have a great Memorial Day weekend. John

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Re: OIL LEAK

Post by Joe Gopan » Thu May 24, 2018 6:58 am

Permatex, Model T technology, still going strong.
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HONOR GRAD-WHEELED VEHICLE MECHANIC SCHOOL 1960 - US ARMY ORDNANCE SCHOOL(MACHINIST) ABERDEEN PG 1962 - O-1 BIRD DOG CREWCHIEF - 300,000+TROUBLE FREE M-38A1 MILES
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