cracked oil pan

[shaggy]

hi all

after returning home from 5 weeks away at work i've noticed a good sized oil spot where the saab is parked. an oil change was done at a garage by my wifes work and it is coming due for another soon. i put it up on ramps and saw the leak is coming from a hairline crack less than a 1/4 " in length that is on the flat side of the pan underneath the drain plug. it looks as if the plug was overtorqued when replaced.
can the pan be fixed? or does it need to be replaced? can i take the garage to task over this or will i just have to kick the cat?
this is on a 2.0L, 99 9-3 if that helps.
thanks in advance.
cb

[batko]

I had a similar problem, and just had the pan TIG welded. No great problem.

[bkrell]

I haven't had this happen on one of my SAABs but did on my old Bimmer. Yes, it's easy to weld. Just don't try anything cheapo like JB Weld...speaking from personal experience.

[batko]

Sorry, mine was nothing to do with overtightening the sump plug, but was cracked from hitting something.
When the garage removed the sump, they saw that it had been previously TIG welded in a different spot, but from the inside. I don't think it makes any difference, but they repaired my crack from the outside.