4.0 Upper Oil Pan Bolt Leak

I have a pretty substantial oil leak coming from a bolt (pictured) in the upper oil pan. I tried to remove it, clean and reinstall with some RTV on the last threads towards the head but no luck.. still leaks. (the pic was before the RTV repair attempt)

Any ideas as to a fix? I really would prefer not to remove the entire pan and reseal as it appears the transmission also has to come out for that job. I already have the front diff out however... for some other repairs... that's how I found the source of the leak.

I don't see any oil leaking from the pan seal around the bolt.

 

I would try removing it and Teflon tape the hell out of it, then reinstall.

 

Typically cover mating surfaces are flat and have a small bead of liquid gasket (millimeters) laid down along it, and around the bolt hole. If it's not a physical gasket. I'm not sure if that has failed.

what about a thread sealant such as Hondabond HT?

 

The best bolt sealant you're going to find is Permatex 521. You can get it at any parts store or at Amazon.

 

It probably leaking at the mating surface and the bolt just happens to be the easiest point for it to come out. You may have to remove the aluminum portion and reseal it there.

 

Thanks for the input and ideas everyone. I went ahead and decided to pull the pan and was going to just reseal until I found a repair the previous owner had done. I guess it was holding somewhat as the leak appeared to be from the bolt hole, not the crack. But with the amount of effort it takes to get the pan removed I have decided to source a new pan to play it safe.

Always something...

 

Yes, I would replace the pan also. Fix it once and be done with it.

 

That's a ballsy repair. Epoxy constantly bathed in hot oil...

 

I agree... then again, I have been unknowingly testing it for well over a year... so I guess it worked?