Dear Tom and Ray:

I have a problem with an oil pan on a 1993 Chevy S-10 pickup. It's a 4.3 liter V- 6 with two-wheel drive and 115,000 miles on it. The side of the pan above the drain plug has a crack that seeps a little oil. The area is about the size of a silver dollar. There is also a little rust around the crack. I bought a used pan for 20 bucks, but my mechanic says he has to take out the engine to do the job, so he wants $500 to replace a $20 pan. For me, this is out of the question. Is there anything else I can try? The truck is in otherwise good shape -- burns a little oil first thing in the morning but not too much. -- Pete

Tom: If you can't or don't want to invest $500 in this truck, you have several options, Pete. One is to do nothing.

Ray: That's my brother's favorite option in all aspects of his life, as you probably know.

Tom: As long as it's not leaking much oil, and you keep an eye on it and make sure it doesn't get much worse, you can probably just leave it. Who knows, with 115,000 miles on the truck, the piston rings or bearings might quit on you before the rest of the oil pan does.

Ray: But a better option would be to try to repair it. You can either have it brazed -- that is, welded at low temperature -- or you can use an epoxy.

Tom: We prefer epoxy, because we find that we set fewer cars on fire with it. And we use stuff called "J-B Weld," which is an epoxy that works on almost anything.

Ray: It even kept my brother's hair under control for a few weeks last summer.

Tom: You should drain the oil out first so it doesn't seep out while you're applying the epoxy. Then carefully clean a large area around the leak. Apply the epoxy in a pancake-sized area around the crack -- and hope it holds. Since it's a small crack, I think you've got a good chance of success.

Ray: And when you're done, DON'T forget to refill the engine with oil before you restart it. Or if you do forget, at least put a new oil pan on when the engine's out getting rebuilt.

Which is cheaper, buying or leasing? Should you keep a car forever or dump it after three years, before trouble starts? Find out in Tom and Ray's pamphlet "Should I Buy, Lease, or Steal My Next Car?" To order, send (check or money order) to Ruin, P.O. Box 536475, Orlando, FL 32853-6475. You can also order online.

© 2000 by Tom and Ray Magliozzi and Doug Berman Distributed by King Features Syndicate, Inc.

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