Leaking Sump - sealing a small crack insitu

[Mustard]

Mrs ran over somebody elses fallen off exhaust which has resulted in a small hairline cut/crack on the Aluminium Sump on 2002 Audi A3 1.6.

I intend to replace the sump but cant get to sort it out for about a week, I dont think oil loss is great but would be happier if I could 'plug' it with something rather than run the risk

Anybody got any ideas, think the biggest problem is finding something that will adhere when in contact with the oil whilst it sets

[Martin Keene]

Wipe it down with some petrol and stick some chemical metal on it quick before anymore appears?

[99hjhm]

edit... that was quick, I was going to say chemical metal.

Once on a race engine with a steel sump, about 3-4 years ago, engine came off the dyno with a leak from the bottom of the sump from there the sump plug boss used to be(had been moved to a different lower location, and hole welded up) With no time before a race that weekend, we sprayed it over with brake cleaner and banged on some Chemical metal.... leak cured.


You guessed it, it's still there now, and it's won alot of races.

Edited by 99hjhm on Saturday 3rd January 19:45

[GreenV8S]

Frosts sell something called OylTite which is a stick of putty-like stuff that you work into the crack to seal it. It's oil/petrol resistant, maybe it would work here?

[dickkark]

GreenV8S said:

a stick of putty-like stuff that you work into the crack

Got your mind on other things?

No seriously Oyltite is good stuff I used it on a old trials bike once,the gearlever rod bent and removed a big piece of gearbox casing.

I repaired it with only rivets,strips of steel and oyltite,
worked a treat until another casing could be found,even with the added vibration that a 70`s motorbike will produce.
HTH

[BB-Q]

Another vote for chemical metal here.

[That Daddy]

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Devcon-5-Minute-Epoxy_W0QQit...

[DaveL485]

Done this on an alloy sump on a Renault. It was properly cracked. Drained oil, cleaned and filled over hole with chemical metal, it never leaked again. Lasted 3 years until the car was written off by an uninsured driver.

[Mustard]

Cheers guys, got some 'Hard & Fast' (sounds good huh? ) Evo Stock Metal Epoxy Putty from Halfrauds

My 2nd attempt seems to have hopefully done the job (dont think i'd pushed the putty into the actual crack on my 1st attempt hence oil leaked behind the putty and it not sealing)

Crack is only small but right on the bottom of the sump resulting in a drip, drip, drip (guessing from the tub I put underneath the car its loosing 10th of a Litre whilst standing over 24hrs whether this is any more once moving who knows but would rather not find out!)