My 2002 F250's 7.3 oil pan is rusting out pretty badly. Anyone out there replaced one of these themselves? If so, how bad was it and how did you do it?

 

The accepted way to do it right is to just pull the motor. I think the Mitchell Guide says around 12 hours.

There have been those handy with a "blue wrench" that have suggested cutting out the cross-member and re-welding it after the pan replacement.

That's not for me, though!

Pop

 

If it is not leaking oil It may be able to be repaired with Por-15.I used it and it workrd great.I was very sceptical at first but have no problems now.Even if it is seaping they have stuff that can fix it.Its worth a try cant lose nothig.Other wise in order to install the gasket properlly you muat take the engine out,turn it upside down in orde for the sealent to set up properlly.Otherwise youll end up with a leak on the gasket area instead.here is the link for por-15 http://www.por15.com/?gclid=CMynuoKMzpACFQFjHgodMF8RQg

 

See:
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/6...eaking+oil+pan

 

See:
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/6...eaking+oil+pan I also read you should pull the cab off to pull the motor..

 

Take a Sawsall,cut the crossmember under the oil pan,replace the oil pan and weld the crossmember back.5 hrs start to finish.The crossmember has NO load on it and nothing "springs" out of alignment.Sheesh....

I have done three of them like this without incident.

If you can't weld,or just can't think outside the box,then pull the motor. Have fun!!

 

Do you mean that you cut the crossmember inside of the motor mounts so that the engine does not even get unbolted? By the way, its not leaking yet but I am anticipating hving to do it eventually.

 

Correct.If you look at the under engine crossmember you will see it has a pretty big hole already from the factory.You are going to cut it a bit wider than the hole,enough so the oil pan will drop straight down and off the engine.You should remove the lower front shock bolts so the differential will drop down for more room.Once unbolted,the oil pan will take some persuading to come off,but its going to be replaced anyway.

If you use the Ford grey RTV sealant,MAKE SURE IT'S GOOD FIRST!Check the date.It has a shelf life and will NOT harden if its too old.If you are not sure DON'T USE IT!
I don't use it (ever); instead I use a high quality,high temp RTV that I trust will cure.

Clean the block pan rails well with brake cleaner untill there is no residual oil on them.I recommend you clean about 4" up into the engine to catch any oil that may run down while you are prepping the pan.
Put a full bead of RTV sealant around the new oil pan and bolt it into position.
I let the RTV cure overnight before filling the engine,but they say you can put it into service right away.
Weld the crossmember piece back on and you are done.

OR...pull the engine. HA!!

I fix vehicles for a living in my own repair shop and have done so for over 30 years.

Just because someone says it can't or shouldn't be done,does not make it so.

It's your Life.

 

FordGuy,

If I took my vehicle to you to resolve this, and you told me you were going to cut out and weld back in a part of the basic frame structure of my vehicle to accomplish what you could do the "correct way", I would be leaving immediately to find someone who could.

Ford specifically states in their literature to not weld to their frame. Maybe they have a good reason for this.

Have you told your customers how you do this?

In my younger days, I too, had my own shop. I'm not so sure that is a qualifier for sound advice.

You do it your way, and I'll do it mine. I won't weld on a late-model frame.

Since his pan isn't even leaking yet, the POR-15 advice might be more appropriate in this case anyway.

Pop

 

I with you on that one Marv, to be cutting and rewelding a main cross member, not on my truck thank you.

 

Jumping out of an airplane without a chute is not mandatory either,BUT IT IS RECOMENDED.Not all shops are created equal.

 

Good for you Pops. Ever think maybe you are too old to learn something new?

Something about not being able to teach an old dog new tricks?

I still have my shop and will till I die.It's in my blood.Always will be.

LOTS of very loyal customers who trust my judgement.Explicitly.

Better stick to dogs.

He asked about replacing the oil pan,not patching it.

No wonder you don't have your shop anymore.Mistakes can be costly.

I suppose no one welds a frame back together when it breaks?

I do. Guess that's "wrong" too. Geee,I better not do that anymore...

I do it all the time. If you have no faith in your ability to weld,then I fully understand your shortcomings.

It's a crossmember with a GIANT hole in the middle.NOT a frame rail.Sheesh...

 

Yup. I'll stick to dogs.

Like it says up next to my avatar, "Too old to be too smart".

Pop

 

Avatar. How about "Too old to learn too".

 

FordGuy we all have different idea's and opinion's I like to hear them all but we all do not have to agree about everything . But one thing that we do not need here is personal attacks on other members you have not be here long enough to know anybody let alone meet any of us face to face Springerpop is a very nice man with a lot of good ideas and solutions to problems, there was no reason at all to post what you did..........