Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) oilpan damage

[Godzilla1]

I'm looking into buying a 1995 3500 2wheel drive reg cab. The truck has 166000 miles, new auto transmission, injector pump, and 6 new tires for about 10k, here's my ? I looked under the truck and the oilpan looks like it took a good hit on the bottom, oil pressure is fine and this truck runs smooooth. Should I go for it and replace the pan or take a pass?

 

[PZicha]

hard to say , It would be a big help to actually look inside another motor ( cummins rebuild or service centre ) to see how much clearance there is and what if any potential damage

 

[Ted Constantine]

zainman,



Chances are it will be fine. I had a 360 gasser that came from the factory with a dent in the middle of the pan. No problem ever except the instant oil change places did not want to work on it. I don't use them any way. The issue is that in many if not all oil pans the threading for the oil drain plug is tacked on the inside of the pan and if it takes even a little hit in the worry way they can brake loose. It is possible to pull the plug and not be able to get it back in or even have it brake free while driving.



That being said chances are it is fine.



Do you know how many miles it has run with the dent??



Ted

 

[Todd T]

10K for a 2 wheeler is not that great of a price. plus they are generally harder to unload (sell). but, you said new transmission and six new tires so that helps make up the difference.



I dont think i would worry about the pan, its probably OK but, what i would worry about is how it got that way. meaning abuse or an accident. abuse would tell me to walk away.



let us know.

 

[Godzilla1]

Thanks for the replies, I'm going to take a good look at it tomorrow (Sat. ) morning. I'll see if I can get some answers from the owner. The truck was at a salvage yard so it may have been in a accident I did notice it has a new hood grill and bumper, then I'll try and get him down on the price, if not I'll keep looking, either way I'll be back

 

[M Barnett]

The truck was at a salvage yard so it may have been in a accident I did notice it has a new hood grill and bumper, then I'll try and get him down on the price, if not I'll keep looking, either way I'll be back[/QUOTE



I do believe I would run from this truck!

Michael

 

['956Wheel]

Do that http//www.vehix.com search, you can find out the history of a vehicle as far as wrecks.



Mike

 

[MDW]

As far as the dent in the oil pan goes, if it don't leak then its no problem (have you heard it run?).

As far as the salvage yard thing goes if you know what your buying (possibly wrecked) then go for it.

 

[David Oxland]

It might be nice to know if the dent had come near the pump pickup tube or damaged the suc'n strainer if there is one. Might give a clue as to potential for trouble down the road

 

[SRehberg]

oil pan damage

If the truck is at a salvage yard, be really careful of the title. If you plan on keeping this truck until the wheels fall off, then that is one thing, but if resale somewhere down the road is possible, go in wide eyed. Also make sure it has met all the requirements to enable it to be registered; i. e. brake insp, headlights, etc, etc, as a salvage title will mean clearing it with the DMV as road worthy. Just my 2c

 

[6shotz]

oil pan

Back when my truck was newer the stealer put one of his brain dead on my truck to do an oil change and the primate stripped the plug. Broght the truck home and oil was dripping on the driveway. Brought it back to him and they warrentied the pan. 3days later I got the truck back. To do the change they had to lift the motor up, disconnect transmission, transfer case,driveshafts, and anything else that was in the way of adequit clearance. I guess thats something to think about before you order a new pan.



Steve:--) :{

 

[Joseph Donnelly]

The oil pickup tube is about 1" diameter and runs across the pan at the front of the sump.

 

[Godzilla1]

Back again, I took the truck for a 50 mile test drive, everything works fine, goes straight as my new truck stops better than my new truck, and seam's to get up to speed quicker, talked with the owner, he bought it at the auction just the way it sits, he put a new transmission and tires and injection pump on it, and it's been a daily driver for 6 months. He is the owner of the salvage yard and it has a clean title, I will do a search to see if it has been in any accidents, also I told him about the oilpan and he did'nt even know about it, but he said if I thought it was a problem he would fix it.

 

[Extreme1]

If the gasket isn't leaking, and it does't look like it's too close to the pick up, don't worry about it. If the drain plug is damaged I'd have them do an oil change just to be sure it doesn't leak.