Post Accident Assessment - Oil Pan Punctured/Total Oil Loss

Haha yes, but you haven't really lived until you've hooked up a break-out-box to an old Ford and started stabbing DMM leads into it

 

I hate those EEC IV systems, very limited scan data at best and they won't set a code unless something is seriously out of whack. All the stars have to align for those to run right.

 

Well… she’s back home. I’m on the road; my son removed the skid plate and took photos. I need to find out which oil pan is cracked but I’m thinking the fun/front one. Thoughts on the damage? It’s really confined to a small area; surprisingly enough the new front end parts (2.5 conversion) are basically unscathed.

 

If the oil pan was indeed "compromised" and the oil leaked out, I'd expect to see oil somewhere - but I don't.

 

Oil pan looks dented but otherwise fine. Even has the Fumoto Valve still installed with the clip!

 

Did anyone check the dipstick?

 

Yes! Dry…

 

Seems like we'd need more photos... did the cross member get pushed allowing the diff to contact the oil pan? It looks like there's oil on the diff, but...

Hard to tell from that one photo.

 

Damn, Id expect to see oil everywhere in that case

 

Agreed. I’m home tomorrow and will get better intel.

 

Ok. I am back from flying the 737 around the country on another trip; this morning I crawled underneath and quickly discovered that... the upper oil pan is cracked. Looks to me as though the front diff. impacted it?

Based on perusing other threads, it sounds as though I will need to drop the front diff. to affect the repair.

Looking at the factory repair manual... EM-46: am I correct in stating that the lower oil pan bolts to the upper oil pan?

The damage isn't as extensive as I was led to believe, initially. I will need a new mast antenna, right front fender, right rear passenger door, frame crossmember, right mirror, and the right side of the pickup bed - whatever that is called. If I am looking at things correctly AND if there is nothing else damaged that is hidden from view.

 

Sounds much more repairable now!

 

Are you sure that is not the engine block?

 

Just looked again - - I'm fairly sure, yes. The crack is 1 inch or so forward of the lower oil pan.

 

Quick search says that you may have one, I wish I had better pics or our engine when it was out:

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/punctured-upper-oil-pan.240665/

 

Well... getting there.

I patched the two cracks in the upper oil pan with JB Weld. Waited one day, then added oil. Waited another day... small leak still from one of the spots I used JB Weld on. Truck started right up; drove it down the street and back - steering, etc. all seems good.

So I need a crossbar for the front of the frame welded on, a couple of brackets that I believe the skid plate attaches to, and a new upper oil pan. Plus a new air bag and seat belt retractor?? If I am correct that should get me back on the road mechanically. Other cosmetic still will have to wait a bit. Ironically (or luckily) none of the front end work I did for the 2.5 conversion appears to be damaged whatsoever.

 

upper oil pans are typically harder to replace than lower.

JB weld is a matter of prep and cleaning the area.

the pic shows a brace bar bent, and crossmember integrated into the frame bent.

I’d be surprised if there aren’t front chop kits, SAS kits, separate piece available, or HC bumper to fix that like Coastal Extreme Clearance
Warfab front chop kit
Etc

supposedly the stock front diff mount is weak and upgradeable with a kit from welds taco, that otherwise if smacked (stock) can break and send the front diff into hitting the engine, which appears may have happened here.

 

Crack that high and a dry dipstick means it was running for a bit
Did you open the drain plug? How much oil left?

 

Just a guess - - about 1/2 quart.

 

I see you got it running again
Still curious how much oil was left in the engine

I would replace the upper pan, is the jb weld temporary?