How does an oil pan gasket ';blow';?

Common problem on the Ford 3.0 V6. How does an oil pan gasket blow? Does it slip out? Have something to do with oil pressure? What exactly happens in this problem that causes excessive leaking?How does an oil pan gasket ';blow';?
It is a common problem in your case. Two causes. One is the most common is caused by the gasket swelling and it blows out the front of the pan.The other cause is a bad pvc valve that cannot remove excessive crankcase pressure.


The gasket is rubber and has steel inserts at the bolt holes so it can't slip or blow out,except at the front. Check figure #30 and #31 in link. The quick repairs I have done is to cut out the swollen part in the front of the pan and fill with rtv. I have done maybe a dozen or so with no comebacks.Some people still (cost not a problem) want a whole new gasket or their pan is rust damaged to do the replacement route.How does an oil pan gasket ';blow';?
Usually, the term ';blow(s) a gasket'; means the gasket went bad.


However, and oil pan (or even a rocker cover) gasket can start leaking if for some reason internal engine pressure gets too high, making the pressure try to find an exit (the weakest point).


Usually this is a high mileage engine, worn rings, combustion blow by, crankcase not ventilating properly.
Stech is right, how ever there is one additional cause.


Many shade tree mechanics over tighten the oil pan gasket. Same thing on autotranmission gaskets on the filter. Even ';skilled'; mechanics do this.


So check to make sure the PCV valve is working, and the hoses to it are not blocked. With these working, the leak may slow down. But if you are not loosing to much oil maybe just live with it.