Oil Pan Problems

[Dep. Ranger]

I bought the ranger about a year ago. When I bought it, it had a slight oil bead up around the oil plug nut. I have tried everything with teflon, cork, copper washers. Nothing has seemed to work. I think that the previous owner striped out the threads to the oil pan. My question is, Do I need to move the engine at all to replace the oil pan? I asked a local shop, and they said that the engine has to be dropped and will cost $650. They think that they can just loosen the engine mounts and raise the engine a little. Has anyone got any light to shed on this problem? Thanks

• 99 Ranger XLT
• 5sp. 3.0L

 

[Beef52751]

You have to pull the motor or drop the tranny, thats what everyone told me but i thought i could get away without doing either, 2 days later i pulled the motor to finish. its not worth fighting. bite the bullet and pull the motor or drop the tranny, your choice.
Beef

 

[Dep. Ranger]

With yours being a 4x4, does that mean that I will have to the same even though mine is a RWD? Thanks for your info.

 

[rurouni20xx]

yes you have a crossmember under your engine like he has the crossmember plus the front axle. i have a 4wd too its just as much of a pain ive seen one done on a 99 2wd. glad she decided to let them do it for 395 bux rather than me do all that crap... have you tried helicoiling the threads first?

 

[Dep. Ranger]

I'm not sure what helicoiling means, but I think I know what you are talking about. Is it where you re-thread the oil pug nut to a larger size? If that is what you meant, then no I have not tried that. Do you think that will solve my problem?

 

[Dep. Ranger]

Also do you know how to post pics on here? Thanks for your help.

 

[rurouni20xx]

images have to be uploaded from a seperate site (myspace, photobucket) and insert the image location between "

" without the quotations. helicoiling is a kit where you drill and tap to an oversize and use a thread insert to return it to the proper size, its a thread repair kit, ask the good folks at napa and bring them your drain bolt they should be able to match one up. ive never heard of this being done on a trk but i do it on occasion on motorcycles. im not sure how large the sealing area is on the oil pan of your trk, on bikes we have about 3/4 of an inch of threads to work w/. drilling and tapping to a slightly oversize bolt may work as well, just flush the engine w/ a quart of oil when your thru to get the drill shavings out.

 

[Dep. Ranger]

Thanks. I might end up trying that, because I sure don't want to spend $650 on a stupid oil pan. I would rather use that money on something else, like a lift. Thanks for your help.

 

[Gitarzan66]

I didnt want to spend 700 on a oil pan either(blown gasket), I spent the money on tools and had at it myself. A tech at Firestone told me to pull the motor so I bought a Hoist and a stand. As I started reading my Haynes manual it said I only needed to lift the motor 2 inchs and take apart the I beam axel on the pass. side. Well I did all that and guess what???? I still cant get the oil pan out. Now that I have been goofing with it I would say it would be best to just pull the motor from the start. Then you might not have to goof with the suspension. I would rather do this from the top than laying underneath if possible. Now I am sitting here scratching my ass wondering if I can get the gasket in the way it is now. Or do I need to Put my engine back down and pull the dam thing.

 

[Gitarzan66]

I am going to pull the tranny. More work, but I want to do this right. At this point I can lower my motor back down and put the stuff on the top back together. Another trip to Harbor Frieght to get a tranny jack adaptor for my Floor jack.

I had a hard time finding info on how to do this. And my Haynes manual was wrong on several steps for this. I am putting this record of my progress here for others trying to do this pan gasket.
I would say pay a shop to do it if you can. If not, pull the motor from the start. I already have the supension taken apart so I am going to pull the tranny.
I will keep posting as I go along. here.

Gitz