Replacing Oil Pan Seal??

[mhein]

Hey Folks,
As you can see by my ID, on the left, I'm running a 97 Ranger XLT 4x4 with a 4.0 (X) engine.
I've developed a slow oil pan leak and am wondering what I'm facing before "get(ting) out and get under" in this often frigid winter <G>.
Chilton's and Haynes manuals mention (in what seems to be a generic description) disconnecting the tranny being involved. In essence having to remove the entire engine/tranny! Is this true for the 4.0?!?
Also, is there an actual gasket used, or RTU (?) sealer??
Any suggestions on a sealer (Bar's Leak, etc)? This is not a "gusher", but true slow leak.....
Thanks in advance...

 

[Sasquatch_Ryda]

To do it properly, the engine has to come out, which does in volve disconnecting the tanny.

There will be an oil pan gasket not RTV.

My advice is if it isn't dripping in the driveway, don't worry about it.

 

[mhein]

Hey Sasquatch-Ryder (and All),
I needed to change the oil today... the weather was better here than it's been in months, and I'd picked up a bottle of "Oil Gasket Restorer" while I was at it.
It's made by the folks who make Sta-bil and HEET, and they GUARANTEE it'll stop the leaking (by restoring the seals) within the first 200 miles. Unlike a lot of products, they further say only ONE treatment is necessary.
We'll see <VBG>
Thanks again...........

 

[Destroyer000]

as its been stated.. if its not dripping horribly, id leave it alone... all that stuff "gasket restorer" there just band aids... i had a leaky head gasket..i could have bought a 9 dollar bottle of bars leak head gasket repair.. but instead of taking a chance i ended up spending the 170 in gaskets an did the job right.. id wait till it got to the point where it would need to be changed then pull the motor out change it an what ever else you need to an go from there.

 

[AllanD]

Yes, the engine has to come out of the chassis.

AD

 

[RedRanger_97]

Don't feel bad I just developed the same problem but am waiting till it gets worse, if it does, to pull the engine and change it.