Oil Pans Anyone?

[Whelan]

This came in today, still waiting on the new plug and pan itself but I'm about to undertake a new adventure in DIY. I've only found a few threads on other forums with very vague descriptions of how to do this without the craziness of engine pulls. Ours is a 4WD so I'm curious if there is anything around here or anyone with insight before I tackle this new project.

I'm hoping this is the end of the oil issues as we have been experiencing missing oil for awhile now with no drips or smoke, until I went to do an oil change this week and noticed weeping all around the pan seal. I guess the extreme weather (sub zero temps) finally brought out the worst in it.

Maybe I can do a write up myself but I swear a member here was going to do the same but cannot locate anything in the How To and a search of "oil pan" returned nothing. So I'm looking for insight, tips, or links to places that will be useful in my work. I should note I picked up all the parts needed from Amazon for $100, all Mopar.

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[Conundrum2006]

Check higher on the motor for the oil leak, oil sender, valve covers, crank seal. Pan seals don’t usually go bad, although some pans can rust out .

From what I’ve seen on a 4x4 commander the pan is difficult to get out in vehicle, some talk about dropping the suspension enough to get the pan free.
My experience is the oil pan gasket doesn’t like to let go of the pan, and then the gasket bolts up near the oil pick up tube.
It’s a tough job in vehicle.


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[HoosierJeeper]

x2. I don't know if you'll be able to get it out without removing the front diff.

 

[tjkj2002]

With modern cats you can burn up to 1 qt of oil per 500 miles and see no smoke out of the tailpipe.Of course it will take the cats out after some time.

Eitherway you look at it replacing the oil pan on a KJ is not easy.Doing it outside or in a non-heated garage will make you want to off yourself this time of the year unless you live in Florida.

The cradle must be dropped 6" or more or the engine pulled.I've done a few on WK's with the 3.7 and that takes 4 hours still on a lift and proper tools and the WK is 1000% easier then a KJ.

 

[HoosierJeeper]

I have a leaking oil pressure sender (and one or both of the valve cover gaskets) and it collects on the pan. Start high and at the front. Even pull your fans out and look above the oil filter at the sender. Less work that dropping the cradle or pulling the engine.

 

[Whelan]

I'll have to take a closer look tonight, parts are coming in but if I can ship them back and just get something easier done like a sender and front seal then I'd be happy. Maybe if I find one as the issue I'll do both since I'll be there?

Reading up a bit more it seems the oil pan can collect oil on top and have it seep over the sides as if it was leaking at the gasket. The pan itself is in good shape and not very rusty at all.

 

[HoosierJeeper]

I'd put some dye in the oil and get a black light before firing up the parts cannon.

 

[Whelan]

I think I already fired it up buying the oil pan stuff. Can the front crank seep down and only drip from the pan area? Now I'm eager to get home so I can dive in tonight.

 

[HoosierJeeper]

Crank seal is pretty low, it should be obvious if it's leaking from there. Shit doesn't flow uphill.

 

[Whelan]

Valve covers are dry, the whole top of the engine is dry.

 

[Whelan]

I did some looking, oil sending unit is bone dry and the oil seems to only be on one side of the pan (passenger) and it is on the differential as well. I tried to trace it and the bottom crankshaft pulley looks like it has or had oil residue on it, maybe that is the source and it is puddling and dripping from the pan? I attached a bunch of pics, HELP!

Crank pulley

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Around oil pan

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Differential

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[HoosierJeeper]

That would be the front crank seal...looks like I misspoke, it does line up with the oil pan.

 

[Whelan]

So it’s not dripping or really caked there because it’s running from the seal to the pan then forming and dripping?

Sounds like an easier job and cheaper parts.

 

[HoosierJeeper]

Man, that's a shit ton of oil on the diff. Are you sure there's not a diff leak too?

Yep, it just keeps blowing back along the pan until it's big enough to drip.

 

[Whelan]

I’ll admit I spilled a bit when I topped it off the other day so it could be some runoff from my overfill idiocy.

Other than a seal pulling tool, gotta find a write up for this to get it done. Timken seal is under $15.

 

[HoosierJeeper]

https://www.jk-forum.com/forums/jk-write-ups-39/front-crank-seal-replacement-write-up-pics-281565/

Should be similar to the KJ. I'd personally get a Mopar seal, I've had bad luck with aftermarket seals even if made by a normally good brand. Even if Timkin makes the OEM one, that doesn't mean it's the same part.

 

[Whelan]

So I'm going to tool up for this and found that using the appropriate gear puller is a big key to the ease of the job. I found this one but it does not list the 3.7 but basically all the other Chrysler V6's. Is there another one I should be looking for?

https://www.amazon.com/ABN-Harmonic...0716Y8HYD/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_product_top?ie=UTF8

 

[tjkj2002]

So I'm going to tool up for this and found that using the appropriate gear puller is a big key to the ease of the job. I found this one but it does not list the 3.7 but basically all the other Chrysler V6's. Is there another one I should be looking for?

https://www.amazon.com/ABN-Harmonic...0716Y8HYD/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_product_top?ie=UTF8

That is the correct one.

A special pulley installer tool is available also to make putting the crank pulley on much easier also.

 

[Whelan]

That is the correct one.

A special pulley installer tool is available also to make putting the crank pulley on much easier also.

I'm tempted to just pickup this from my local store as a loaner tool and bring it back than spend almost $100 on a removal/installer set of tools.
https://shop.advanceautoparts.com/p...OR+9150019+OR+9150003+OR+9150040&showTitle=no

Picking up a seal puller as well.

 

[Whelan]

Rented the tool from above. Picked up some new tools to add to my collection. Any idea which way the seal goes? Not sure if metal or rubber goes in first but I guess I’ll find out.

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