Sorry if this isnt where the post belongs but I was changing my oil today and saw that the rubber plug that used to be directly behind my oil pan drain plug is GONE!! I had my engine pulled 4k ago when I needed my plugs changed and they all broke, but anyways, I m guessing they left it out.

My question is what exacttly is that plug protecting or holding in the housing? I looked in and can see what appears to be a gear/clutch/or flywheel(sorry I dont know much about ATX's only manuals. But I dont know for sure if there was a lubricant in there or if the rubber plug was simply protecting from the elements being taken in??

I cant put up a pic because its not there other then the oval shaped hole. But Im gonna go look at a Ford at a lot real fast, pull the plug and see if anything comes out, then put it back in real fast.

If anyone knows what this is Id appreciate it!!

 

That is a dust cover for your bellhousing. The bellhousing is the name of the area/component between the engine and transmission. On an auto, it's almost always once piece with the tranny. Manuals are separate. This area houses your torque converter and flywheel, which is what you are seeing in there. The dust cover/hole is there because the torque converter contains a lot of fluid and on older trucks, the converter had a drain plug so you needed this access to get to it. Yours does not have one and the access hole is a carry-over. The missing dust cover wont hurt anything but I'd get another one to keep crap out of there.

 

Thanks for your response, I borrowed one from the lot off another F150... I figure Ricart owes me that since they lost my other. When I pulled it from the other F150 nothing came out so Im feeling alot better, along with your answer Im not too worried.
Thanks!

 

thats awesome!!!

 

What else can be borrowed off trucks sitting on the dealership lot?