Oil pan for automotive engines and method of making same

An oil pan structure for an internal combustion engine, particularly for motor vehicles, comprising a box-like oil receptacle (2), formed by a tray (3) having side walls (5), a bottom wall (4), an upper edge (6) with an attachment portion (7) to be anchored to the engine block by suitable fastening means (8), an oil suction tube (9) extending from the top of the edge (6) into the receptacle (2). The tube (9) has a first end and a second end connected to the box-like receptacle (2) by upper connection means (11). The structure is characterized in that the box-like receptacle, the tray, the suction tube, the fastening means the connection means are formed in a substantially rigid thermoplastic material, capable of resisting to oil corrosion and mechanical stresses caused by the engine and the roadbed in a temperature range from -40°C to +150°C.