Oil pan leak

[Ruby_the_ranger]

I’ve got a decent oil pan leak, I’ve watched some videos and none of them were 4wd and I was wondering if u have enough clearance to pull the oil pan without having to take out the front diff, yes it would make it a million times easier but I’m on a time crunch. Also is it necessary to lift the engine a few inches to pull the pan?

 

[mikkelstuff]

Not sure about a 1998 Ranger or which engine/transmission you have. With my 2002 3.0L/automatic 4WD Ranger, the mechanic had to lower the front axle and remove the transmission to remove the oil pan - which, of course, leaked!

 

[bobbywalter]

pulling engine is usually the easiest way to do a good job. but that can also be a trainwreck depending on how rotten everything is.

it is possible but cleaning up and snaking a new gasket with the motor maxed up is a exercise in frustration.

 

[bobbywalter]

and yes ....pull the front diff.

 

[MaicoDoug]

Make sure it's not the rear of the valve cover. That's where it comes from, shows up as an oil pan leak, but it's really the valve cover!

 

[bobbywalter]

of course..... assuming oil pan is actually the issue.

 

[Curious Hound]

First step is to clean the engine as best you can all the way from top to bottom, front to back. Then drive it and check every few days to see where the leak starts to show up again. That should get you to the source.

 

[Bgunner]

When I did the oil pan on my '94 3.0l 2WD, even lifting the motor left it tight to get the pan out. So Yes the diff needs to be lowered at least. My guess is lifting the motor would help with room on a 4WD. The pan went in for me way easier then it came out because the front of the pan kept getting caught on the front main cap on the way out so watch for this as you remove it.

Be sure to use safety squints and hang your tongue out to the side while removing it. This makes it come out easier.

 

[bobbywalter]

definitely a huge difference depending on chassis. ttb tib are night and day. the ttb k is wider and dropping the diff dont matter.

the sla chassis in coil or torsion 2wd are both different. the torsion is easier to drop the pan.

in 4x4 dropping the diff is the easy button. lifting the engine a bit just helps.

never did a coil sla 3.0 pan. pulled whole engine and put bigger ones in though. definitely harder then the torsion bar chassis.