Removing the Oil Pan

[WA_IrishPilot]

I have a 1999 Ranger with the 4.0L V6 engine.

As of right now I believe I need to clean the oil pickup screen and the oil pan. Wondering how hard it is to take just the pan off without removing the motor or anything major?

I have the Haynes manual and it sucks in terms of finding good pictures/schematics of the engine. So any direction and advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks.

 

[adsm08]

Wondering how hard it is to take just the pan off without removing the motor or anything major?

Good luck.

 

[Dune Runner]

I have dropped a few pans over the years. Though never on one of my Rangers. First thing you need to do is slide under it and see how much room you have. It might not be possible without lifting the engine up.
And just why do you thing your screen is clogged up?

 

[WA_IrishPilot]

I have dropped a few pans over the years. Though never on one of my Rangers. First thing you need to do is slide under it and see how much room you have. It might not be possible without lifting the engine up.
And just why do you thing your screen is clogged up?

Not having full oil pressure and this is after changing oil, filter, and oil pressure switch.

Any other ideas are up for grabs.

 

[wildbill23c]

The gauge itself may be faulty. You need to install a mechanical gauge for testing purposes before you start tearing an engine apart for no reason. You stated in a previous thread that it runs and drives which says its getting oil otherwise it would have blown or seized already.

By the way if you really truly want to drop that oil pan you'll have to either jack the engine up to get it out or start removing front end components until you have room take your pick. It isn't just going to come out there isn't enough room for it to do so unless you have a massive body lift.

 

[WA_IrishPilot]

The gauge itself may be faulty. You need to install a mechanical gauge for testing purposes before you start tearing an engine apart for no reason. You stated in a previous thread that it runs and drives which says its getting oil otherwise it would have blown or seized already.

By the way if you really truly want to drop that oil pan you'll have to either jack the engine up to get it out or start removing front end components until you have room take your pick. It isn't just going to come out there isn't enough room for it to do so unless you have a massive body lift.

Have none of the above.

But, yes like I said, along with my dad, if I truly didn't have oil pressure it would have seized and been a molten red mess by now. Which it isn't.

I will look for a way to test pressure before taking it in to have the pan and pickup screen cleaned.

 

[Dune Runner]

If I had to guess I'd say you have a problem other then a clogged screen. Your lifters would be rattling like a big dog with no oil pressure.

 

[wildbill23c]

Have none of the above.

But, yes like I said, along with my dad, if I truly didn't have oil pressure it would have seized and been a molten red mess by now. Which it isn't.

I will look for a way to test pressure before taking it in to have the pan and pickup screen cleaned.

Many of the auto parts stores have pressure testers you probably can borrow. Or you could always buy a cheap gauge and hook it up under the hood just to check. You just pull the sensor out and run the gauge line in its place no power source is needed the gauge works on oil pressure that gets pushed up the little hose that connects to the port where the pressure sensor was. It takes maybe 5 minutes to hook it up.

 

[rfl]

Not sure on the '99, but on an '03 4.0L (OHV, not SOHC) you need about 9" from the bottom of the block to the cross member to get the pan out. The amount of stuff that was required to get that amount of clearance, plus get to all the bolts, warranted pulling the engine. I had to sacrifice the exhaust (rusted, so cut) and freon (could not swing the A/C compressor over far enough). I could have saved the freon if i pulled the front clip, but the lines needed to be replaced so away they went.