Oil pan corrosion- WTF?

[FJReady]

It happened to me several years ago on my 93 F150 (maybe 8 yrs old at the time) which was plagued with rust problems anyway, but now its has happened to my brothers 2000 E350 diesel (7.3 Powerjoke) Any body have an oil pan rust through before? Is it just a Ford thing? Or perhaps a Massachusetts thing??

Its bathed in oil on the inside and greasy grimey on the outside ferchrissake. Why's it rusting through? Any preventative(is that a real word) tips? Just wondering.

 

[radman]

Here in Minnesota, I have had numerous Ford pan rust throughs-Taurus, Windstar, E and F series trucks, even 2 pans on 3126 Cat motors in F650 Dumps we use. The only common denominator we have found is that it is unique to states that heavily salt roads-so I can assume it has to do with poor primer and debris (rock chips etc) protection. Install a new pan, and use Rock Guard, a heavy paint you see used on many auto-truck lower panels. Its clear, thick, and soft,so that it absorbs impacts, doesn't chip, sothat rust can't get started. Once it starts, only prompt attention will prevent big problems down the road.

 

[FJRay]

When I was in the marine business as a mechanic it was not unusual to find some boats with the oilpan in water if there was any bilge water at all. We used to change them all the time and use either epoxy or truck bed liner to seal them before instalation. The other one is when the flywheel gets in salt water and fills the starter. Most the time you have to pull the engine to change the starter. What fun!!!

 

[ohiofjr]

The oil pans are only phosphate coated so any little nick = instant rust. So common that the dealer stocks that oil pan. The cooler lines from the trans rust thru commonly as well.

 

[jestal]

Geezz.....you can't please anybody....LOL. You fix all the oil leaks and now the oil pan rusts....

Seriously, I have seen cars with the OIL FILTER rusted thru. It was the original oil filter that had never been changed in all cases.