Paint new oil pan to prevent rust?

[ManCave]

It seems that the oil pans on Dodge Ram's with the Cummins diesel will rust out quickly. I ordered a brand new pan. One review said the paint came off in sheets (the new pan) after a year.

I want to take steps to try and prevent the rust. Should I just layer on more layers of paint and let dry a day or two before installing? Any suggestions?

 

[tinmanwpk]

Powdercoating.

 

[flat tire]

truck bed coating

 

[BillK]

If people say that the paint comes off in sheets, then painting over it wont do any good. I would get all the paint off, then scuff it up with sandpaper and prime and paint it. Then it will probably outlive the truck

 

[dbabicky]

^^^^ This !

 

[bobmulry]

Hi,

Just a quick heads-up........

The oil pans on vehicles also help reduce the oil temperature......

It's a good thing to keep that in mind when trying to protect the steel surface...

Bob

 

[94EG8]

Strip the paint off and prime it with an epoxy primer and then paint over that with whatever your favorite rust paint is.

 

[kwschumm]

Change the oil often enough to eliminate moisture.

 

[finn]

Hi,

Just a quick heads-up........

The oil pans on vehicles also help reduce the oil temperature......

It's a good thing to keep that in mind when trying to protect the steel surface...

Bob

Very little of the oil heat is transferred to the air via convection through the pan.

Almost all of the heat transfer is through the engine water jackets and oil cooler.

 

[barks]

Never heard of painting an oil pan. Why do it.

 

[AndrewDouglasBird]

Never heard of painting an oil pan. Why do it.

I'm assuming he means the outside. I don't think I've seen an oil pan that wasn't painted or plated in something. Reason is, as the OP stated, they will rust otherwise.

That is, unless it is an aluminum pan. Then no paint needed.

 

[Ole Slewfoot]

Mine came with paint in 1994, and still has that paint. Did the rear seal at 200K, and didn't see any rust....

 

[stimpy]

cook the pan first ( put in a oven and bake for a hour ) to remove any oil that might be on it from the stamping process , they do not clean these as good as they used too .


Gm's pans rot from the inside out . has to do with the type of metal they used . my trucks pan rotted out in 4 years ( 96 l-29) so I put a aftermarket pan on it ( milodon) and its been in good shape for the last 15 with minimal exterior and interior rust ..

 

[nickelmore]

Yes paint por 15 or powder coat it.

My choice if you live in the salt belt like me would be powder coat. Strip it and it should not be that much to get a good coat.

If you are really **** you could have it coated inside as well.

Salt = Rust period.

 

[jsaw]

Here in the rust belt, we give them a coat of rtv sealer. If not, they rust through after a few years

 

[94EG8]

Mine came with paint in 1994, and still has that paint. Did the rear seal at 200K, and didn't see any rust....

You live in California, I'd be concerned if yours rusted.

 

[493mike]

Paint is best in my opinion. Powder coat may be OK where no salt is used on the roads but I've seen many trans and engine oil pans fail due to rust forming under the powder coat. All it takes is a crack or thin spot in the finish and salt will enter and be captive under the surface.
Mike

 

[Burl]

Whatever you use on it, use wax/grease remover FIRST. Make sure the surface is clean before painting anything.

 

[ManCave]

Thanks guys. Some good ideas there. I think I'm going to scuff the paint and apply 2 or 3 coats over it to make it a little thicker. Then maybe spray it down with fluid film.

 

[laser3kw]

Gm's pans rot from the inside out .

Fords rust from the outside inward! My '99 Ranger began to "seep" through and drip. Fought it for a year, then new pan.
For others contemplating powder coat, give it a second thought. I have seen and experienced powdercoat flaking off. Before you go off, and scream "bad powder coat job", here is what happens:
pan is prepped powder coated.
Powdercoat is scratched or dinged during installation.
drive down the road, rock ding.
Water, salt, general road jeez sets in.
rust starts and continues under powdercoat.
Looks good on surface until it breaks off a large chunk.
I've seen this repeat on alot of parts exposed to the elements.

 

[johninct]

Remove paint then paint as other have said. Then when the paint is fully cured, smear it with grease or spray it with engine oil every year.

 

[Nor'Easter]

Who told you they rust? Where do they rust?

The pans are coated inside and out. Inside will never rust. The outside can around the bolt flange, and trickle down towards the belly. The last two 5.9 pans I pulled had rust holes around the bolts but the gasket was still doing it's job.

This was a 92 and 96, from the rust belt. Best thing you can do to protect it is let the valve covers harden and leak oil over the entire block.