How much does it cost to repair and replace an oil pan in a car? How is a dry sump different from a wet sump?

Have you ever pierced an oil pan? This is not pleasant, like all malfunctions in the car. This, however, is extremely unpleasant due to the effects it can cause in a short time. A cracked oil pan is a nuisance wherever it happens. However, do not dramatize, because panic in such situations can exacerbate the problem.

Wet sump - definition and operation

The oil pan is a stamped piece of metal that is bolted to the bottom of the cylinder block. It can take on a more or less regular shape, but always fits perfectly to the mounting surface of the actuator. Each wet sump has a hole through which the used oil drains. Thanks to this, it flows freely and does not need to be pumped out by other methods.

Oil pan - aluminum construction

The oil pan is mainly made of aluminum. Why? This material:

• rust resistant;
• it weighs little and conducts heat well;
• does not crack and withstands even temperature changes.

Protecting the drive components is very important and this corrosion resistant material does the job. The second reason for using aluminum is its low weight and very good thermal conductivity. The oil pan itself should not cool the liquid (the radiator is responsible for this), but its material provides additional temperature loss. Aluminum does not break as easily under the influence of thermal changes, so it is also suitable for working in changing conditions.

Oil pan - functions

Why is the oil pan at the bottom of the engine? The cooling of the piston-crank system causes the engine oil to flow below the crankshaft. In order to be able to collect it and pump it to the oil pump, it must be placed in one place. That is why a wet sump is usually the lowest point in the hardware of the power unit. Once the oil has entered the pan:

• sucked in by the dragon;
• pre-cleaned;
• goes to the injection pump.

Dry sump benefits

Heavy metal chips from the engine can also accumulate in the oil pan, preventing them from traveling up the machine and damaging the friction surfaces. These sawdust, resulting from the wear of engine parts, are dangerous, and this is where the bowl proves invaluable. And what are the consequences of a broken oil pan? In sports cars, oil accumulates in a special reservoir next to the unit and damage to the dry sump is not so harmful.

Damaged oil pan - how can this be?

Unfortunately, even if you install an engine cover on a daily basis, it does not protect the oil pan 100%. Why? It is usually made of plastic and upon impact with a very hard object, such as a block of wood, stone or boulder, it simply succumbs to pressure. And in such situations, the bowl is damaged first of all, because it is located right under the lid.

Sometimes such damage is not visible at first glance. Especially when you drive with a cover, you won't notice oil leaks under the car. The oil pan may burst after hitting an obstacle, but not so much that the oil pressure drops below the minimum. The on-board computer will then not let you know that something has happened, and the oil will leave slowly.

Cracked oil pan - consequences

In principle, the consequences are very easy to imagine. If the pan is damaged and a small amount of oil falls out, the problem is primarily oil stains in the parking lot. Another thing is just an oil leak, unwanted from any source - be it a gearbox or an engine. After all, a completely broken oil pan threatens to jam the engine. A sudden drop in oil level will cause the oil pressure to drop and the brake light to come on. A broken oil pan and further operation of the engine is a slippery slope to an overhaul and replacement of the assembly.

Oil pan replacement - price of service and spare parts

Repairing a cracked oil pan is not very expensive. You can report this problem to any auto repair shop. However, given the level of complexity of the work, sometimes it is not worth paying for repairs. How much does it cost to replace an oil pan? Prices range from a few dozen zlotys (sometimes even more than 10 euros). If you have space just for such a repair, you can buy a bowl yourself and change it.

Does it make sense to seal the oil pan?

You will find supporters of such a "repair". To do this, use epoxy metal glue, which tightly seals the hole or crack. Here, however, a caveat - such repairs should be carried out after removing the element from the engine and thoroughly cleaning it. The oil pan "does not like" contaminants that collect in it, as they can clog the oil filter and lead to loss of lubrication.

Most often, a leaky oil pan is replaced. However, it can be welded when the damage is not very large and the cost of a new element is very high. In such a situation, it will be necessary not only to remove the pan, but also to fill in new oil, replace the filter and, of course, install the oil seal. The oil pan gasket is fairly disposable and reassembly is not an option.. You will see when disassembling. That's why some people wonder what to choose: oil pan gasket or silicone. Opinions are divided, but when buying a bowl, there will probably be a gasket in the kit. Too little and too much silicone is a big problem. The padding is always correct.

Broken thread in the oil pan - what to do?

Sometimes it happens that the thread on the screw responsible for draining the oil breaks. What to do in this situation? The only reasonable step is to replace such a bowl. Of course you can take it off and cut a hole and then put in a new screw. This solution is also acceptable, but no one will tell you what the tightness of such a solution will be. Oil pan glue is definitely not a good solution..

Dry sump oil - what is it used for?

You may have come across the header term before. Why do manufacturers decide to create a dry bowl? We are talking about reliable lubrication of car engine components that are prone to loss. That is why a dry sump is usually used on sports and racing cars. Instead of the traditional solution where the sump is the main oil reservoir, a reservoir located elsewhere is used and a set of pumps or a multi-section pump is used to transfer the substance. Thus, when cornering, where there are huge overloads, there is no risk of oil leaking into one place and interrupting engine lubrication.