Pro tip: Stop ignoring the torque specs on aluminum oil pans

Had a 2015 F-150 come in last week with a slow leak from the oil pan. Previous guy just cranked down every bolt by feel, and he stripped out three threads in the aluminum. Cost the customer $600 for a whole new pan and gasket. Guy told me straight up, 'I've been doing it this way for 20 years.' Changed how I do it now, I pull out the torque wrench for every single pan bolt on aluminum, even if it adds an extra 10 minutes. Anyone else had to fix a mess from someone guessing the torque?

3 comments

3 Comments

the_faith18d ago

Three threads stripped?! That is absolutely NUTS. How does someone with 20 years of experience not realize that aluminum is NOT cast iron. That poor customer had to pay for someone else's total LACK of common sense.

-1

juliashah17d ago

I read somewhere that aluminum's threads are way softer and strip way easier than steel or iron, plus it can gall up if you're not careful with the torque. A buddy of mine who builds race engines told me they always use thread inserts in aluminum heads for spark plugs because the metal just can't handle repeated torque cycles like cast iron can. Sounds like this mechanic just got too comfortable with his old methods and forgot aluminum doesn't forgive overtightening at all.

wendyk5616d ago

My buddy stripped an aluminum oil pan on a Ford Fiesta.