Does this oil pan look cracked?

[thudnblunder]

2022 PowerBoost. I was installing a Fumoto valve and had tightened it a shy over hand tight (1/8 of a turn more) and took a picture to see it better and noticed the cracks.
Up until now all the oil changes have been at the dealership and the drain plug was on TIGHT.

Am I being paranoid?

Sponsored

 

[Porpoise Hork]

Could be part of the casting process, but kind of hard to tell. Could do a penetrant dye test like that used on heads to see if it is.

 

[thudnblunder]

Could be part of the casting process, but kind of hard to tell. Could do a penetrant dye test like that used on heads to see if it is.

Dang, the drain plug appears to indicate over torque at some point. :/

Lazy techs with impact wrenches.

 

[Mosey]

To me it looks like it is cracked. You could have it magna-fluxed as well.

 

[Porpoise Hork]

If it is cracked the chances of getting the dealer to own up to it and cover the replacement are pretty much nil. Might consider putting the drain plug back in it and take it in to them and see what they say.

If they say no, at least it's not a that expensive of a part to replace at about $175 minus labor.

ML3Z-6675-D

Probably can expect roughly 5 hours of billed labor too since the front diff has to be removed. So all together gonna be somewhere between $800-1200 depending on where you take it if the dealer claims not their fault.

 

[JExpedition07]

Kind of hard to tell, sometimes things get those in the casting process when it cools. If it’s not leaking I would probably just keep an eye on it. If that bolt is aluminum it’s extremely easy to mare up like that with even a box wrench.

 

[513Mugsy]

Those are surface defects from the casting process. Only skin deep. When the aluminum runs through the mold, it cools on the outside faster because of the cool sand it is cast in. So it has surface cracks and some minor delaminations in places. Usually these are spotted and tested with a dye penetrant, after.machining. If the dye leaks through, they are scrapped. I have worked in quality control, and for a Ford Tier 1 supplier. Nothing to worry about here, just looks bad.

And good move on the fumoto!

 

[gagliano7]

Kind of hard to tell, sometimes things get those in the casting process when it cools. If it’s not leaking I would probably just keep an eye on it. If that bolt is aluminum it’s extremely easy to mare up like that with even a box wrench.

I change my own oil and I have never screwed up an oil drain bolt like that. That is from using power tools on the bolt. Looks like that is cracked from over tightening.

 

[FaaWrenchBndr]

I think it’s a casting mark/flaw.
The threads would strip before the pan would crack like this, if damage was from over tightening.
Is the “flawed area” leaking oil?

 

[bjl95mustang]

I’d pull the valve and see if there is any sign of a crack on the front of the threaded flange area.

 

[Porpoise Hork]

I’d pull the valve and see if there is any sign of a crack on the front of the threaded flange area.

Not a bad idea.

Get a buddy and a shopvac. Use the shopvac and hold it over the oil filler as the valve is pulled out. This'll keep the oil from draining out as the flange is inspected then depending on what you see reinstall the valve or drain plug.

 

[Fuelin_Around]

To me it looks like it is cracked. You could have it magna-fluxed as well.

Have you magna-fluxed much aluminum? lol

 

[bjl95mustang]

Or the crack dye for cast aluminum and a black light.

Sponsored