What are the odds? (having a bad day)

['99 EB Explorer]

So my old man comes home from work today and asks if I was the one parked in front of the garage earlier. I was, so he points out the puddle of oil exactly where I was parked.

A few things I need to know. What are the odds that it would be the oil pan being rotten? There IS quite a bit of rust on it last I checked. How hard is it to swap out? I know it's also quite possible that it's the pan gasket...I'll have to track the leak. Is there a gasket on the oil pan plug?

This is a very inconvenient occurence due to the fact that I just got a lawyer bill in the mail for almost $1000 today also....and I'm still no closer to finding a new job.

 

[Ranger Sport Honduras]

ohh man that sucks.
i hope its not the oil pan.

 

[robertc1024]

I hope it's only the oil pan. Much better than cruising down the highway, oil light comes on and the engine seizes. It does suck though.

 

[mp3deviant721]

I think there is a gasket on the oil drain plug. Check any and everything that could leak oil under there, main seals, oil pan gasket, drain plug, and the oil pan itself. At least you found the leak in you driveway instead of cruising down the highway.

 

['99 EB Explorer]

If it's anything beyond the pan/plug/pan gasket, i'll have to take it off the road until I can find work. Damned thing...I can't afford this crap right now.

On the other hand, once I start working, this may be a good excuse to do a swap. Either a younger 4.0 or maybe a 5.0 if I can find one for cheap.

I remember a few years ago(when I was driving my caprice) my boss at the time had a bunch of engines sitting around(fully assembled with accessories and everything) that he wanted to get rid of. Wound up calling the guy from the custom shop and GAVE him a 5.0 for FREE!!!!! Damn...maybe he'll return the favor. lol

 

[WNY964x4]

4.0's have an aluminum pan , they dont rust and never leak , it is either the rear main(common) , the drain gasket (common) or the pan gasket (not all that common)

 

['99 EB Explorer]

4.0's have an aluminum pan , they dont rust and never leak , it is either the rear main(common) , the drain gasket (common) or the pan gasket (not all that common)

I found my Haynes manual last night for some light reading. lol.

"NOTE: The complete oil pan assembly is comprised of two sections. The lower section is a sheet metal oil pan, while the upper section is a large aluminum casting that serves as a structural reinforcement for the lower part of the crankcase.

It isn't very clear about the gasket...from the sounds of things, there are 2 gaskets involved?

If that's the case, I hope it's not the second one that required the engine being removed from the truck.

 

[kevinsranger]

my truck leaks from two spots, the oil filter housing, because its loose and there's not enough room to rotate it to tighten it, and the oil level sensor thats in the oil pan, but they don't leak enough to care about, maybe a quart every 3-4 weeks at most.

both my 94 4.0ohv and my 98 4.0sohc in my explorer have full aluminum oil pans tho, havent seen any with any steel on them yet

 

['99 EB Explorer]

both my 94 4.0ohv and my 98 4.0sohc in my explorer have full aluminum oil pans tho, havent seen any with any steel on them yet

Well...if they're aluminum, I shouldn't have a rotten pan with a pin hole in it that I just found that's soft all over the place.

 

[Snoranger]

Kevin, you might want to check that SOHC again. As '99 EB stated, the SOHC has a 2 piece pan. The lower half is sheet metal. Its easy to replace without pulling the engine.

 

['99 EB Explorer]

I'm glad it's the lower pan that's leaking. Nice easy fix. Bought some JB weld just now to patch it up until I can get the $140 for the new pan and gasket.

EDIT: plus the cost of oil and filter

 

['99 EB Explorer]

Tried the JB Weld...no luck. The oil is dripping out too fast and contaminates everything before I can get the JB to adhere.

New pan and gasket will be in on saturday.

 

[TheTopher]

EDIT: plus the cost of oil and filter

 

['99 EB Explorer]

I think i made the leak worse actually. I took the wire brush to it to clear some of the rust out, and it's now up to 1 drip every 10-15 seconds....and that's with cold oil. GRR!! Oh well...that part of the lawn is getting torn out in the spring anyway. lol

 

[TheTopher]

I think i made the leak worse actually. I took the wire brush to it to clear some of the rust out, and it's now up to 1 drip every 10-15 seconds....and that's with cold oil. GRR!! Oh well...that part of the lawn is getting torn out in the spring anyway. lol

Stop whining and slap some duct tape on it.