# Oil pan replaced and leaking **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Created:** [September 10, 2024, 2:12am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/oil-pan-replaced-and-leaking/196168 "2024-09-10T02:12:28Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![robertpalumbo15\_191265](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/919ad9/32.png) [@robertpalumbo15\_191265](https://community.cartalk.com/u/robertpalumbo15_191265)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2024, 2:12am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/oil-pan-replaced-and-leaking/196168/1 "2024-09-10T02:12:28Z")
Ok. VW Tiguan needed a new oil pan. Got old one off. Cleaned the old gasket. When I installed new one and followed all steps two bolt heads ended up breaking off when I torqued it to the recommended specs. Had to drill those out and tap new threads. Not sure I did the best job but the new hex bolts I put in hold snug. Still leaking oil though. Wondering how bad it is to keep driving even with the slow leaks occurring? Also wondering if I should drill the holes even bigger and tap in new threads for a M8 bolt instead of the M6 that normally goes in. ---
**Author:** ![Tester](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/tester/32/15976_2.png) [@Tester](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Tester)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2024, 2:19am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/oil-pan-replaced-and-leaking/196168/2 "2024-09-10T02:19:01Z")
What did you use for the gasket? Tester ---
**Author:** ![robertpalumbo15\_191265](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/919ad9/32.png) [@robertpalumbo15\_191265](https://community.cartalk.com/u/robertpalumbo15_191265)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2024, 2:20am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/oil-pan-replaced-and-leaking/196168/3 "2024-09-10T02:20:09Z")
The stuff that comes in the tube. Was recommended over the rubber full piece. I watched every YouTube video possible and received advice from a mechanic friend. He said I would be able to do it no problem. ---
**Author:** ![Tester](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/tester/32/15976_2.png) [@Tester](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Tester)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2024, 2:23am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/oil-pan-replaced-and-leaking/196168/4 "2024-09-10T02:23:01Z")
Was it this? ![PEX29208__49169](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/original/3X/5/9/59ce4a35d679dc62a46460d1865b221bd6b4dea0.jpeg) Tester ---
**Author:** ![robertpalumbo15\_191265](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/919ad9/32.png) [@robertpalumbo15\_191265](https://community.cartalk.com/u/robertpalumbo15_191265)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2024, 2:26am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/oil-pan-replaced-and-leaking/196168/5 "2024-09-10T02:26:02Z")
This is it here. Same brand. ![IMG_3782](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/original/3X/6/a/6a3b2c488343ec24cac4659da46b57066ea40cf9.jpeg) ---
**Author:** ![Tester](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/tester/32/15976_2.png) [@Tester](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Tester)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2024, 2:31am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/oil-pan-replaced-and-leaking/196168/6 "2024-09-10T02:31:36Z")
I use the product I showed for oil pans. Never used the product you show. Tester ---
**Author:** ![robertpalumbo15\_191265](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/919ad9/32.png) [@robertpalumbo15\_191265](https://community.cartalk.com/u/robertpalumbo15_191265)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2024, 2:32am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/oil-pan-replaced-and-leaking/196168/7 "2024-09-10T02:32:50Z")
Good to know. So the bolt holes. What’s your opinion on those? ---
**Author:** ![Tester](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/tester/32/15976_2.png) [@Tester](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Tester)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2024, 2:34am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/oil-pan-replaced-and-leaking/196168/8 "2024-09-10T02:34:16Z")
If you can tighten the bolts, it should be good. Tester ---
**Author:** ![robertpalumbo15\_191265](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/919ad9/32.png) [@robertpalumbo15\_191265](https://community.cartalk.com/u/robertpalumbo15_191265)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2024, 2:35am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/oil-pan-replaced-and-leaking/196168/9 "2024-09-10T02:35:28Z")
That’s good to know. Yes the bolts tighten up. They just seem so bad to me. But I guess as long as there is no gaps then it’s fine? ---
**Author:** ![Tester](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/tester/32/15976_2.png) [@Tester](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Tester)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2024, 2:42am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/oil-pan-replaced-and-leaking/196168/10 "2024-09-10T02:42:45Z")
No gaps it should seal.with the right sealant. Tester ---
**Author:** ![cigroller](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c68b51/32.png) [@cigroller](https://community.cartalk.com/u/cigroller)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2024, 2:42am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/oil-pan-replaced-and-leaking/196168/11 "2024-09-10T02:42:46Z")
How do you snap off bolts doing an oil pan? Are you sure you didn’t mistake an inch-pounds spec for foot pounds? > [@robertpalumbo15\_191265](#): > > Wondering how bad it is to keep driving even with the slow leaks occurring? Obviously you want to fix it correctly and have zero leaks. But the next time you get out of the car in a parking lot, look at the plentiful oil stains on every single parking space. Lots of cars are leaking a little. The only way for you to say whether your leak is temporarily ok is to check the oil. > [@robertpalumbo15\_191265](#): > > Also wondering if I should drill the holes even bigger and tap in new threads for a M8 bolt instead of the M6 that normally goes in. If you can, stay with the M6 and use heli-coils. But either way, check your torque wrench and double-check your torque specs. ---
**Author:** ![Tester](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/tester/32/15976_2.png) [@Tester](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Tester)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2024, 2:49am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/oil-pan-replaced-and-leaking/196168/12 "2024-09-10T02:49:52Z")
[![](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/original/3X/8/3/83b7cbe63b67e4053e6d9330c19380d9e4b009f5.jpeg "Gasketing Application Tips: Permatex Tech Tip Series") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fVowc8YHFYc) Tester ---
**Author:** ![bing](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/bing/32/4619_2.png) [@bing](https://community.cartalk.com/u/bing)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2024, 3:16am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/oil-pan-replaced-and-leaking/196168/13 "2024-09-10T03:16:25Z")
Can’t imagine using enough force to break the bolts. If so though you may have flattened the bolt holes or made them concave. They should be bumped out so there is a little spring pressure at the bolts, not flattened tight. A do over but why not just use the gasket provided but leave the bolts alone if they still work. I’ve only done a couple but no leaks. Use about a six inch ratchet and cross tighten gradually. Don’t warp the pan. ---
**Author:** ![Nevada\_545](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/nevada_545/32/41232_2.png) [@Nevada\_545](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Nevada_545)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2024, 3:42am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/oil-pan-replaced-and-leaking/196168/14 "2024-09-10T03:42:31Z")
Sealant normally isn’t provided with new parts, it is sold separately. This is Volkswagen oil pan sealant, probably not much different than Permatex grey sealant: D174-003-M2 ![image](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/original/3X/e/a/eaa17fe9055861af5d104c55f4ccb4b07f43f046.jpeg) I haven’t found any warped pans or distorted bolt holes on modern engines, they don’t use cork gaskets. Over-tightening bolts is something to be avoided. ---
**Author:** ![bcohen2010](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/779978/32.png) [@bcohen2010](https://community.cartalk.com/u/bcohen2010)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2024, 8:36am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/oil-pan-replaced-and-leaking/196168/15 "2024-09-10T08:36:22Z")
It sounds like the problem is improper torquing of the bolts, as one must _really_ overtighten the bolts to break them…_.and you managed to break two of them_. Overtightening the bolts would lead to squeezing out the sealant, if sealant is used rather than a pre-formed gasket. I don’t like using sealant as a substitute for a gasket, and would have ordered a pre-formed gasket instead. A rubber gasket works well without additional sealant, but if it’s a cardboard gasket, I’d add sealant on both sides. I would, however use a digital torque wrench to ensure proper bolt tightening, so the gasket isn’t ruined. ---
**Author:** ![Rod-Knox](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/a183cd/32.png) [@Rod-Knox](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Rod-Knox)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2024, 10:34am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/oil-pan-replaced-and-leaking/196168/16 "2024-09-10T10:34:07Z")
Sounds like the bolts were cross threaded. ---
**Author:** ![oldtimer-11](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/e79b87/32.png) [@oldtimer-11](https://community.cartalk.com/u/oldtimer-11)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2024, 10:37am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/oil-pan-replaced-and-leaking/196168/17 "2024-09-10T10:37:03Z")
Are you sure you don’t havre a crank seal leat instead? ---
**Author:** ![robertpalumbo15\_191265](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/919ad9/32.png) [@robertpalumbo15\_191265](https://community.cartalk.com/u/robertpalumbo15_191265)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2024, 10:40am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/oil-pan-replaced-and-leaking/196168/18 "2024-09-10T10:40:51Z")
Honestly I have no clue. The pan had to be changed bc it was cracked. I added a bit of oil last night before bed and checked it this morning before leaving for work. Put cardboard underneath to see for leaks. Two of the bolts have oil leaking out from them. They are right beside each other. So I’m wondering if it’s maybe the gasket and not the bolts? ---
**Author:** ![Rainflurry](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/cab0a1/32.png) [@Rainflurry](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Rainflurry)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2024, 12:39pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/oil-pan-replaced-and-leaking/196168/19 "2024-09-10T12:39:41Z")
> [@cigroller](#): > > How do you snap off bolts doing an oil pan? Are you sure you didn’t mistake an inch-pounds spec for foot pounds? If the OP was using a click-type 3/8" torque wrench, it’s very easy to over-torque the bolts. I’ve done it myself. The spec on those bolts is probably between 10-15 lb-ft which is the low-end of the range for a 3/8" torque wrench. It’s my experience that most click-type torque wrenches aren’t very accurate at the low-end of their range and manufacturers generally don’t even rate their accuracy below 20% of full range. ---
**Author:** ![jtsanders](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/c2a13f/32.png) [@jtsanders](https://community.cartalk.com/u/jtsanders)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2024, 2:14pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/oil-pan-replaced-and-leaking/196168/20 "2024-09-10T14:14:36Z")
> [@robertpalumbo15\_191265](#): > > Two of the bolts have oil leaking out from them. They are right beside each other. So I’m wondering if it’s maybe the gasket and not the bolts? Are these the same two bolts you replaced or different ones? Where are they in relation to the two you replaced? [Next page](https://community.cartalk.com/t/oil-pan-replaced-and-leaking/196168.md?page=2)