I've never removed the oil pan before.

Next time I change my oil, I want to remove it and make sure it is clean (ie, no metal) since I bought the truck used.

I wouldnt think this is a very hard procedure, but I dont know what to do.

Could someone tell me?

Thanks

I tried the search but couldnt really find anything...it doesnt seem to like searches with more than one word.

 

John, for about $20 you can do an oil analysis on the oil which will tell you more than looking at the oil pan.

 

I am going to venture that it is NOT going to be a simple task. I dont know cause i don't own a ford, but i DO know that if Ford doesnt want you jacking with it, then it will be a major pain to get off. Just going by what i see on my mom's expedition. However, next time you change your oil, why don't you just cut open your oil filter and take a look. That will tell you the same thing as removing the pan, and its probly several hundreds of times easier. Give it a shot.....I know alot of folks that drag race do it to see if the engine is wearing too much.

Good Luck

 

Dodge:

Thats why I asked If it's not a very hard task, I figure while I am under the truck I can just take a look.

Cutting open the filter is something I just might have to start doing, just for fun if anything :P

I always enjoy learning new stuff, mostly how things work. Although alot of times the theory behind it loses my interest (ie physics...too bad physics is one of the major classes needed for any engineering course :\ )

 

I know what you mean.

I just thought i would guess, cause mine isnt HARD to take off, but its not something i want to do. There is a cross member i would have to fish the pan around, and God knows it would never seal again once i got it back together. Just my luck.

 

Well if I knew exactly what was the oil pan under there, I could "figure it out" but I would rather not take that risk

 

Its the metal bowl that has your oil drain plug in it. The pan bolts to the lower end of the engine...it holds all your oil. If you were to take it off, you would see your crankshaft, connecting rods, oil pump, oil sump and lower end of the engine.

 

Yeah that was my guess

It looks like pretty much a straight shot, but I havent looked real close at it yet. I dont think there are any crossmembers like yours has in the way.

Do the bolts have any sort of torque specs? We dont have a torque wrench, so if they are I will just leave them alone.

In any case this is just something I have been tossing around in my head...may never get around to it anyway.

 

I would advise against it....if you just want to find out if your oil has metal in it. There is no reason to take it off.

There are torque specs on it, and probably a torque sequence as well. The sequence is probably more important that torque specs. You want to make sure its bolted down slowly and evenly.

 

sounds like I should leave well alone

 

If it dosen't leak now it just might when you get done. The pan is pressed steel and is easy to warp. overtighten a bolt and you could have a cronic leak

 

in the hanynes manul
drain oil
dis con. batt.
remove air cleaner
remove shroud +fan
in 4x4 remove front axle
jack eng.
remove pan


I'd say 4-6hrs for 2x
and 2 days for 4x4

I'd say tie a peice of rag to a wire stuff it in the drain plug hole
drag it around or check for sludge in you valve covers if thats
what you're looking for.
oil ann. or a mag. drain plug if you're looking for metal

 

Holy crap. That's definitely out of my skills.

 

Hi John the first thing is to make sure your able to remove the pan once you remove the bolts. some trucks require lifting the engine to get the pan free. If there's at least 5 inches of clearance or more dropping the pan straight down you can probably get it out if there's any front to back movement possible. I would leave the pan off for at least 2 days to make sure the oil stops dripping down the engine walls so you can clean the gasket surface. With a small 1" putty knife with a flat edge making sure not to gouge the surface. then I would clean the surface with lacquer thinner as not to leave a residue using a rag. Also make sure the oil pan is very clean as well...Once its clean get the new gasket and some High Temp silicone sealer and use a light coating on all touching surfaces. line everything up and place all bolts back into the pan and use recommended torque spec's to retighten the pan.. it should be fine. This method has worked for me. Good Luck GG

 

John, how about just sticking your finger in the drain hole and scraping up a bit of oil off the bottom of the pan?