Small oil leak - drip

[landonshaw]

A few months ago I pull my engine, Volvo Penta MD2040D, and did a fair amount of work. One thin I did was to replace the oil pan. Put everything back, engine runs well.

I have a small drip coming from the front corner off where the oil pan is secured to the engine. I used a new volvo gasket with a little liquid gasket to keep it in place.

I obviously don’t want to pull the engine again, not serious enough. Any suggestions on how to stop the drip?

Thanks, sv Aloisius

[DougR]

Sometimes with these stamped steel oil pans the bend between the side of the pan and the top flange is a gentle bend, not a hard bend, and that allows oil to splash in close to the point where the bolt goes thru the flange. The oil works thru to the bolt and down the threads and then drips from the head of the bolt.

If that's the case here, remove the offending bolt and clean the bolt, washer, and the threads in the block with a solvent. Use a Q tip with solvent on the threads up in the block. Then coat the threads in the block, the bolt and washer with a good sealant and reinstall the bolt and tighten. Let it set up before starting the engine again.

Hope this helps.

DougR

[Compass790]

Doug R gave you good advice. I'd just add a good trick I use is to wind thread tape around the bolt just next to the washer & going on to the washer with the washer up against the head of the bolt.

[landonshaw]

Thank you, I’ll confirm where the leak is and start with both of your suggestions.

[scallowayuk]

try some ptfe tape around the bolt.

[model 10]

You can make what is called a "Loc O Seal". It's a washer with an O ring inside. To make your own, use the next size up flat washer and fit an under size O ring on the cap screw. When it tightens up the O ring will fill the space and seal the leak.

[Disailor]

Permatex non-hardening (#2?) on the bolt threads up near the head