can somebody identify this for me? timing chain cover?

[bigjerm]

Hello, I let my brother, who may have been stoned im thinking now, do an oil change on my truck(great idea),and before finding the correct plug he removed one of these long bolts and a small amount of oil spilled out before he realized it wasn't the oil plug bolt. Can somebody tell me what this part is and if i need to be concerned about the bit of oil that came out? It was one of the pair of bolts in the pic. Is it the timing chain cover? thanks, and heres the pic-

seems like there was alot of gunk around the area too, maybe a small leak. If this is the timing chain cover and it's leaking, is changing the gasket going to be a huge deal?

 

[bigjerm]

no replies huh..........

 

[AllanD]

you expect an immediate response?

On a tuesday night?

that appears to be a 4.0SOHC engine and those are actually
maincap bolts... the oil pan on that engine isn't ONLY an oil pan,
it's a main bearing "Girdle" to stiffen the engine.

IF they aren't torqued properly you are potentially in a world of hurt.

AD

 

[bigjerm]

thanks for the reply. It's practically guaranteed not torqued right. I drove it around today. did i just kill my truck? Should i just get it towed to the shop? thanks alot.

 

[Tee Rev]

you expect an immediate response?

On a tuesday night?

that appears to be a 4.0SOHC engine and those are actually
maincap bolts... the oil pan on that engine isn't ONLY an oil pan,
it's a main bearing "Girdle" to stiffen the engine.

IF they aren't torqued properly you are potentially in a world of hurt.

AD

Hold up there Sparky!

They are not main cap bolts, they do however thread into the end of the main cap bolts, sandwiching the oil pan. They aren't torqued all that tight so don't go overboard tightening them or you'll crack the oil pan. Then you'll definitely be in a world of hurt!

There are also a threaded steel inserts in the pan that butt up against the top of the main cap bolts. You should make sure that they are fully seated against the main cap bolts before torquing the bolts in question to spec.

Don't worry too much, It's highly unlikely that you've hurt anything. The OHV 4.0L didn't even have this type of oil pan. It makes a nice upgrade though!

I see that AllanD has never actually had the bottom end of a SOHC apart otherwise he wouldn't have made this error.

 

[bigjerm]

thanks for that info, im glad that im not too screwed, hopefully! Also, I just went and got the shop manual that shows what your saying about that part of the pan is a crankcase reinforcement section. It also states that the engine has to be removed to remove that pan? It seems to be seeping some oil through that section. If that gasket has to be replaced, will I be looking at taking the engine out?......sheesh.

 

[Tee Rev]

If I were you I'd clean the engine & then look for where the leak is coming from. It'll be easier to tell on a clean engine. You may find that you have a leaky front seal. If so, you'll just have to remove the crank pulley/balancer & replace the seal. But ... If it does turn out to be the oil pan gasket (doubtful) removing the engine is the only way to make the job as easy as possible.

 

[AllanD]

Hold up there Sparky!

They are not main cap bolts, they do however thread into the end of the main cap bolts, sandwiching the oil pan. They aren't torqued all that tight so don't go overboard tightening them or you'll crack the oil pan. Then you'll definitely be in a world of hurt!

There are also a threaded steel inserts in the pan that butt up against the top of the main cap bolts. You should make sure that they are fully seated against the main cap bolts before torquing the bolts in question to spec.

Don't worry too much, It's highly unlikely that you've hurt anything. The OHV 4.0L didn't even have this type of oil pan. It makes a nice upgrade though!

I see that AllanD has never actually had the bottom end of a SOHC apart otherwise he wouldn't have made this error.

Once nearly ten years ago... It's been long enough that the ugly memory of that evening has faded.



AD

 

[Tee Rev]

Once nearly ten years ago... It's been long enough that the ugly memory of that evening has faded.



AD

That's actually quite funny, & so true! I didn't think it was possible to have so many freaking bolts holding on an oil pan!!

Definitely a forgettable experience!

 

[AllanD]

Wanna see bad? I had to remove the oil pan from a 4.0 in an AWD Aerostar
in the chassis one evening....

Fortunatly it was on a lift

IT wasn't actually as ugly as the job sounds.
and only had to be done because for some unknown reason the 4000mile oil in the pan turned into pudding.

But it extended the life of the vehicle another six months.
then the trans died and it went out for scrap.

the only part I saved was the new brake rotors, the P/S pump and the
radiator, because it was a 1991 Aerostar and it's replacement was a 1994,
so all the Alt and A/C comp were different...

Still have that 1994 but I need to get ambitious and swap out the T-case
the chain slips... which is frankly annoying as hell when you try to make it
move with more than 1/4 throttle. (It's been parked since December)

AD