Oil Pan Gasket Bulging? Does this really happen? - Ford Forums - Mustang Forum, Ford Trucks, Ford Focus and Ford Cars

mishellemccorm · 05-21-2008, 13:51

I just got my car back from a mechanic that wanted to take me to the cleaners on my 1999 tauras for $1,695. After he read of the litney of repairs he recommended (some of which I've already had done - idiot) he had stated that my oil pan gasket is "bulging" and could blow at any minute, causing oil to gush out and seizing the engine! The cost would be $473.21. I am not a mechanic but have worked on my cars in the past and of course I've had professional work done and I have never been told this!!!! Is there any truth to what this quack said? By the way, my gasket is NOT EVEN leaking...

Guess what he wanted for a tune up? $369.35 (plugs wires fuel & air filter and "check" fuel injectors)

**360ci** · 05-21-2008, 17:42

If anything it'll be dented inwards (ie, spouse driving over curb). The metal is a heavy gauge and I've NEVER heard of oil pans bulging down. I can do the said tune up you mentioned for about $60 if I go cheap on filters, otherwise, $80 is about on par. Labour rates have gone up substantially. My Dodge dealer wanted nearly $400 to replace one side rotor and pads only! I spent $160 on premium Hawk pads and monroe rotors and did the work myself in an hour and a half.

Some places are good even if you bring in your own parts to install. Just make damn sure they're the right parts or you'll get hosed with that too!

RickMN · 05-22-2008, 20:03

Oil pan gasket bulging happens all the time. The gasket is molded silicone and kinda creeps out between the block and the pan. But, the gasket holes have steel inserts to prevent total compression. So, even if the silicon is bulging, it won't move all the way due to the pan bolts holding it in. The story he told you is total B.S. The oil pan is never under pressure--unless your PCV valve is plugged. Even then, it's more likely to blow out a valve cover gasket than the pan gasket. Even if the gasket does manage to "walk" out far enough that it leaks, it will leak--not gush. Whatever oil gets splashed onto the side of the inside of the engine will drip down to the pan flange and leak out. Believe me, you'll notice a puddle of oil on your garage floor long before your engine runs out of oil.

The labor guide time for the gasket is 3 hours, so even at $100/hr plus parts, he still screwing you.

Sounds to me like he's behind on his boat payments and has you in his sights.

**jwko** · 05-22-2008, 21:59

Even with a plugged PCV it still won't build pressure. There is a vent tube on the other valve cover to compensate for PCV vacuum.

I would definitely find another mechanic, that guy's a crook!