Oil Pan drain Plug Leaking

[TomO]

Is there a trick to getting this right?

I bought an '04 KJ 3.7L a few days ago knowing that there was a leak at the oil pan drain plug. First day, I stopped by the dealer and purchased a new plug because I noticed that the rubber gasket on the old one was all kinds of tweaked in an odd shape.

As I was leaving, I noticed that they had a 'sale' on oil changes, so I let them do that and install the new plug in the process. Today I see that it is still dripping from the drain pan plug, but I have not yet had the chance to get underneath to see what they did.

I'd hate to keep dumping all that oil while trying to fix this. Are there any gotchas to simply changing the oil in this thing?

 

[yellocoyote]

I would to check to make sure the the plug isn't cross-threaded... I've read it's really easy to do if you're not paying attention and not careful.

 

[WesChapman]

One of the best things I did to my Jeep was install a Fumoto oil drain valve. 100k miles later, it doesn't leak and I don't need a wrench to drain the oil. With my commute, oil changes are about every 55 days. I'm sure I would have screwed up my threads by now, if I were still using the plug.

 

[Dave]

Maybe the oil drain bolt needs a new gasket??

Dave

 

[Clyde Frog]

Could they have tightened the plug too much? The one time I let a chain auto place change my oil (it was the dead of winter), they tightened my plug too far and it was pinching the gasket in, creating a gap where oil was leaking a bit. On the other side of it, maybe it isn't tight enough?

 

[diyman]

TomO, sorry to hear that, also because the issue might not be as lousy as it seems... (we all hope it is! ).
First, trying to fix the issue by 'rethreading' might or not work, and is potentially dangerous, IMHO, as metal debris
might enter the pan and we don't want that :disgust:.
Also, the pan per se isn't all that expensive but having that swapped is a major PITW ( Pain In The Wallet ) p:.
First stupid idea the crosses my mind is why not use some lock & seal compund on the plug and see if that helps :shrug:

But all in all, as WesChapman said, a drain valve might be a viable option, given the situation ( but wait, You don't
need doing weird things to the pan ie like drilling..., or do You? )

Last but not least, I'd NEVER let anyone touch my beloved KJ if She's ...ill :happy175:

Keep us informed

 

[TomO]

I had a chance to get a good look at it last night. It turns out that it is not the drain plug leaking. The problem is much worse than that. The pan has rusted through on the forward-facing part of the sump. Fresh oil is just seeping right through the metal.

I guess a new oil pan is in my immediate future. That'll push the lift and tires back a few weeks. Sigh.

I'm still undecided whether to do the swap myself, or just think of the $700.00 bill as part of the purchase price.

I paid $7700 for her, Still not a bad deal at $8400.

 

[TomO]

TomO, sorry to hear that, also because the issue might not be as lousy as it seems... (we all hope it is! ).

I'm not sure how to interpret that one. :emotions34:

 

[Clyde Frog]

If you have the time and equipment, I would do it yourself. You'll save a lot of money.

 

[tjkj2002]

If you have the time and equipment, I would do it yourself. You'll save a lot of money.

REMOVAL
​

​

(1) Remove the engine (Refer to 9 - ENGINE -
REMOVAL).
(2) Position the engine in a suitable engine stand.
NOTE: Do not pry on oil pan or oil pan gasket. Gasket
is integral to engine windage tray and does not
come out with oil pan (Fig. 76).
(3) Remove the oil pan mounting bolts and oil pan.
(4) Unbolt oil pump pickup tube and remove tube.
(5) Remove the oil pan gasket/windage tray​

assemblyfrom engine

Not as easy as one might think,there are other ways but not much easier and some pricey tools required.

 

[diyman]

I'm not sure how to interpret that one. :emotions34:

I mean we all hope it's not a big issue. Unluckily You said it's worse than what it looked like... sorry to hear that.
The 'lousy' was referred to the damn problem ( Your KJ ) not about You having it ! :badger_1: Sorry for not expressing properly!

Oh, AFAIK swapping the oil pan is...ouch..!

Edit : haven't read my own posts ( must be some..hangover..). Badly formulated sentence...erase it!

 

[Clyde Frog]

Not as easy as one might think,there are other ways but not much easier and some pricey tools required.

Yeah that's why I mean if he has access to a cherry picker and some tools, oil pans aren't terribly expensive.

 

[TomO]

@diyman: No worries. Just a good natured poke at your phrasing.

Yeah, I do have a cherry picker and all the tools needed. I'm just trying to balance the day spent fixing this over just considering it to be $700.00 more than I thought. Keep in mind that I bought this KJ about 4 days ago! She's hasn't really been made 'mine' yet.

 

[Minimike]

I hear you Tom0 an an ex-mechanic myself I often weight the cost of paying someone to do it over doing it myself. Depends on how much time and energy I have.

 

[tjkj2002]

While it is not a simple job it's really not that hard if you have the correct stuff.I have done a oil pan on a '07 WK with a 3.7,all the same required work,and it took less then 3 hours but used a lift and a engine support bar to drop the cradle.The hardest part was putting the diff back in place as it's alot heavier then a D30A.

 

[Ry' N Jen]

One of the best things I did to my Jeep was install a Fumoto oil drain valve. 100k miles later, it doesn't leak and I don't need a wrench to drain the oil. With my commute, oil changes are about every 55 days. I'm sure I would have screwed up my threads by now, if I were still using the plug.

I checked out that Fumoto oil drain valve online...
Now I want one!

I'm sure LibertyTC will want as well!

 

[Akedos]

Yeah, I do my own changes too and I really like this valve... looks like a nice investment...

http://www.quickoildrainvalve.com/SearchResults.asp?Cat=102

 

[Wakko]

You ever do this repair? I think the seller screwed you.