# Temporarily Fixing an Oil Pan **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Tags:** civic, honda\ **Created:** [May 22, 2024, 5:48pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/temporarily-fixing-an-oil-pan/194963 "2024-05-22T17:48:11Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![j.evon0096\_185270](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/54ee81/32.png) [@j.evon0096\_185270](https://community.cartalk.com/u/j.evon0096_185270)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2024, 5:48pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/temporarily-fixing-an-oil-pan/194963/1 "2024-05-22T17:48:11Z")
I don’t know how it happened but I saw my car in a puddle of oil today and found a hole the size of a quarter in the oil pan. Last time I drove it was a little over an hour on smooth freeways. It didn’t leak oil while driving or even going up the driveway, only after I left it parked. Anyway my local Honda dealer wants nearly $800 for an oil pan but I found one online for around $350. Until it arrives is it safe to cut up a soda can and JB weld it closed? I know I’ll probably need to take it off to clean it up before applying it but I’m just worried it might give while I’m on the freeway without me realizing and then the engine seizes up ---
**Author:** ![SteveCBT](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/stevecbt/32/3192_2.png) [@SteveCBT](https://community.cartalk.com/u/SteveCBT)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2024, 6:08pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/temporarily-fixing-an-oil-pan/194963/2 "2024-05-22T18:08:31Z")
I would not trust a thin piece of metal glued onto an oily surface. No matter how well you clean around the hole I bet some residual oil will remain. ---
**Author:** ![old\_mopar\_guy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/6bbea6/32.png) [@old\_mopar\_guy](https://community.cartalk.com/u/old_mopar_guy)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2024, 6:11pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/temporarily-fixing-an-oil-pan/194963/3 "2024-05-22T18:11:41Z")
I’d rent a car or take Ubers until a new oil pan arrives. It will be a lot cheaper than replacing the engine after the patch lets go. ---
**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:** [May 22, 2024, 6:16pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/temporarily-fixing-an-oil-pan/194963/4 "2024-05-22T18:16:14Z")
If you are going to take it off to clean it, just put the new one on. Bad idea. For what, a week? ---
**Author:** ![ledhed75](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/f6c823/32.png) [@ledhed75](https://community.cartalk.com/u/ledhed75)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2024, 6:33pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/temporarily-fixing-an-oil-pan/194963/5 "2024-05-22T18:33:39Z")
Have you checked with an independent, non-dealer for a price quote? You might be surprised at the price difference. ---
**Author:** ![George\_San\_Jose1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e5b9ba/32.png) [@George\_San\_Jose1](https://community.cartalk.com/u/George_San_Jose1)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2024, 9:44pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/temporarily-fixing-an-oil-pan/194963/6 "2024-05-22T21:44:11Z")
Me, I’d just park the Civic until the new oil pan arrives. Take the bus, Uber, ride a bicycle, walk, catch a ride with co-workers/friends in the meantime. But if you insist on trying the patching idea, I’m not liking the JB Weld only idea. Instead suggest to use a square of 18 gauge steel sheet metal as the patch and screw or pop-rivet it to the outside surface of the pan in conjunction with some jb weld or sealer. If may leak but with the mechanical fasteners holding it on, less likely for the hole to open up and let the whole pan of oil out all at once. Note there is some risk of metal filings getting into the oil w/this method. The oil filter shouldn’t let them through, but good idea to inspect/clean the oil pump ass’y while replacing the oil pan once it arrives. ---
**Author:** ![davesmopar](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/davesmopar/32/41750_2.png) [@davesmopar](https://community.cartalk.com/u/davesmopar)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2024, 9:58pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/temporarily-fixing-an-oil-pan/194963/7 "2024-05-22T21:58:37Z")
What year is it and how many miles are on it?? Pans don’t normally get a hole the size of a quarter in them with out hitting something or something internal putting the hole in the pan, either something was trying to get in, or something was trying to get out… Just saying… ---
**Author:** ![PvtPublic](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/pvtpublic/32/13089_2.png) [@PvtPublic](https://community.cartalk.com/u/PvtPublic)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2024, 11:42pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/temporarily-fixing-an-oil-pan/194963/8 "2024-05-22T23:42:50Z")
> [@davesmopar](#): > > Pans don’t normally get a hole the size of a quarter in them with out hitting something or something internal putting the hole in the pan, It’s magic ---
**Author:** ![auto-owner](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/50afbb/32.png) [@auto-owner](https://community.cartalk.com/u/auto-owner)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2024, 3:16am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/temporarily-fixing-an-oil-pan/194963/9 "2024-05-23T03:16:03Z")
> [@j.evon0096\_185270](#): > > It didn’t leak oil while driving or even going up the driveway, only after I left it parked. With a quarter size hole in the pan. Heck yeah a glued on pop can oughtta fix this right up. ---
**Author:** ![glasspilot](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/glasspilot/32/27886_2.png) [@glasspilot](https://community.cartalk.com/u/glasspilot)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2024, 3:25pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/temporarily-fixing-an-oil-pan/194963/10 "2024-05-24T15:25:49Z")
> [@davesmopar](#): > > Pans don’t normally get a hole the size of a quarter in them with out hitting something or something internal putting the hole in the pan You don’t have any enemies in your neighborhood, do you? 🙃 ---
**Author:** ![weekend-warrior](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/weekend-warrior/32/26122_2.png) [@weekend-warrior](https://community.cartalk.com/u/weekend-warrior)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2024, 9:08pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/temporarily-fixing-an-oil-pan/194963/11 "2024-05-24T21:08:38Z")
If this is your only vehicle and you need it to go to work. I would only try this as a TEMPORY fix until the new oil pan gets there. you could drill the whole round and maybe use one of theses. I personally would just wait until the new pan came. [Amazon.com: Dsnaduo 6 Sizes (14pcs) Neoprene Rubber Expansion Plug 3/4" 7/8" 1" 1-1/8" 1-1/4" 1-3/8", Automotive Rubber Freeze Frost Plug Fit Hole Size: 3/4"~1-1/2" (19mm~38mm) : Automotive](https://www.amazon.com/Dsnaduo-Rubber-Expansion-Automotive-Freeze/dp/B09QM67Q52/ref=sr_1_30?adgrpid=1333708177572963&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.waJlUqIQtGKeXCJ_6P7uuvKqcf7zCGYlpo8o6zGHmXvf7CxCrirbl2RCtI0W7TBQjt1rgmFz2VAzTiUFfux41ZKy_wb2cOQSmtrRjHAHlQsvsSArbQiMtlnNIxTgoJM6mr7bSeVuHHJYIJklYEfepRqTNhSMZLweAdOUH2A1h8-3XBfcyLRum4Cs7YnHRoMqqasJvDqSZOiUu0o-nm99VqkxqxsrCt8H-4dpeTrRs3w.i6mefwGAe7EcTX3gEhqoDqEd3VoLwuIicrjPHspDdWs&dib_tag=se&hvadid=83356975338328&hvbmt=be&hvdev=c&hvlocphy=71939&hvnetw=o&hvqmt=e&hvtargid=kwd-83357123863013%3Aloc-190&hydadcr=7472_13182267&keywords=oil%2Bdrain%2Bplug%2Brubber&qid=1716584140&sr=8-30&th=1) ---
**Author:** ![PvtPublic](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/pvtpublic/32/13089_2.png) [@PvtPublic](https://community.cartalk.com/u/PvtPublic)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2024, 9:51pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/temporarily-fixing-an-oil-pan/194963/12 "2024-05-24T21:51:55Z")
If you can’t fix it with Duct tape…It can’t be fixed. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![George\_San\_Jose1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e5b9ba/32.png) [@George\_San\_Jose1](https://community.cartalk.com/u/George_San_Jose1)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2024, 10:05pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/temporarily-fixing-an-oil-pan/194963/13 "2024-05-24T22:05:46Z")
> [@PvtPublic](#): > > Duct tape When reattaching a rear view mirror, the type attached directly to the windshield via an intermediate gadget, it can be a pain to hold the intermediate gadget to the windshield for 24 hours while the glue sets. I discovered by trial and error that duct type is a pretty good & simple solution. ---
**Author:** ![Cavell](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/cavell/32/43396_2.png) [@Cavell](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Cavell)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2024, 10:39pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/temporarily-fixing-an-oil-pan/194963/14 "2024-05-24T22:39:56Z")
I know most pans are fairly cheap. Of course you pay a shop labor and it’s expensive. Might be a fairly easy job but depends on years. ---
**Author:** ![Barkydog](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/barkydog/32/2470_2.png) [@Barkydog](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Barkydog)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2024, 4:45am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/temporarily-fixing-an-oil-pan/194963/15 "2024-05-25T04:45:09Z")
Pit a cork in it! ---
**Author:** ![bcohen2010](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/779978/32.png) [@bcohen2010](https://community.cartalk.com/u/bcohen2010)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2024, 2:35pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/temporarily-fixing-an-oil-pan/194963/16 "2024-05-25T14:35:36Z")
Good gawd, I wouldn’t pay $100 for an oil pan, let alone $350 or $800. Unless the pan is bashed in from driving over a large rock, it should be repairable. And you must remove the pan to repair it. Depending on whether the oil pan is cast aluminum or stamped steel, it might be possible to braze or weld the damage (after cleaning the pan, roughening up the surface with sandcloth, etc, and making a patch out of suitable material). Or, I might just cut a square piece of thick sheet metal, larger than what I am trying to patch, pre-drill a hole near each corner, hold the patch in place, pre-drill the holes into the pan itself, **thoroughly clean out any metal shavings** , roughen up the mating surfaces (of the patch and pan), apply black silicone and screw on with machine screws, wait a day to dry, then reinstall the oil pan (with a new gasket, of course). ---
**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:** [May 25, 2024, 4:04pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/temporarily-fixing-an-oil-pan/194963/17 "2024-05-25T16:04:45Z")
Welding on a metal patch would be a permanent fix. Tester ---
**Author:** ![texases](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/texases/32/862_2.png) [@texases](https://community.cartalk.com/u/texases)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2024, 4:44pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/temporarily-fixing-an-oil-pan/194963/18 "2024-05-25T16:44:24Z")
What year Civic? Rockauto has a Dorman pan (it’s a complex aluminum casting) for $75 for a 2014. No way I’d go to all the trouble of removing the old one and repair it, for that price. But I fear you’re looking at engine damage, pans don’t just fail on the driveway. Was the oil puddle LARGE? 4 quarts large? ---
**Author:** ![MikeInNH](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a587f6/32.png) [@MikeInNH](https://community.cartalk.com/u/MikeInNH)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2024, 8:01pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/temporarily-fixing-an-oil-pan/194963/19 "2024-05-25T20:01:53Z")
> [@Tester](#): > > Welding on a metal patch would be a permanent fix. Steel pan or Aluminum or other? ---
**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:** [May 25, 2024, 8:10pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/temporarily-fixing-an-oil-pan/194963/20 "2024-05-25T20:10:54Z")
> [@MikeInNH](#): > > Steel pan MIG weld. > [@MikeInNH](#): > > Aluminum TIG weld. Tester [Next page](https://community.cartalk.com/t/temporarily-fixing-an-oil-pan/194963.md?page=2)