HELP. Oil pan Dented offroading

[04LEMASS]

I bottomed out and gOt stuck on a rock offroading today and my buddy had to pull me out. After getting out of there my pathy was making a weird sound from underneath. My friend pointed out that i dented my oil pan. He said it could be rubbing against my crankshaft causing the noise and the struggling. Here are pictures and a video:


The black box





You can see the hole that the rock was in, i dragged the rock with me as i got towed out

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nAFPsc6NVn0[/youtube]

You can hear that weird sound, is this the crankshaft?

[Chuck Tribolet]

Very likely it's the crank banging on the oil pan.

Chuck

[Towncivilian]

You dented the transmission pan. A new OEM replacement is around $46 online before shipping. Provide your VIN and I can give you an exact part number. Were either the lower or upper oil pans dented?

The transmission fluid level may have risen enough due to the dent to cause foaming or other bad things that occur when the trans is "overfilled".

[04LEMASS]

My vin is: JN8DR09Y64W904586

Which is the lower and which is the upper?
Would something like this work or should i stick to oem?
http://www.jcwhitney.com/extra-capacity ... 004g23u0j1


Also are there any temporary fixes? Perhaps i could drain enough fluid so it is not acting like its overfilled? Also what do you think about the crankshaft?

[04LEMASS]

Found the oem, replacing it tomorow, and i concluded that the noise im hearing is the transmission oil filter that sucks the oil up is crushed so i will replace that. I also dented my gas tank but i see no leaks

[Pathfound49]

You may end up with other problems as well. The dent is right where the filter is, but there are so many wires and such in that area(that run above and around the filter) that one or many may be cracked or broken. Good luck with it just being a pan and filter replacement.

[Towncivilian]

Here is an OEM parts list:

• [31390-41X07] PAN ASSY-OIL
• [31397-41X05] GASKET-OIL PAN
• [31337-41X06] BOLT (quantity: 18)
• [31728-41X03] STRAINER ASSY-OIL
• [31526-41X07] SEAL-O RING
• [11026-01M02] WASHER-DRAIN PLUG

All of these parts can be rather expensive, so if you'd like a cheaper alternative:

• Beck/Arnley Transmission Filter & Gasket Kit (if you order from RockAuto be sure to use a 5% discount code)
• [31390-41X07] PAN ASSY-OIL
• [31337-41X06] BOLT (quantity: 18)
• [11026-01M02] WASHER-DRAIN PLUG

The filter kit includes the strainer, O-ring, and gasket. You'll still need the new transmission pan, the 18 self-sealing bolts for the pan, and the drain plug washer.

There is a great DIY guide on a pan drop here. Be sure you torque all bolts correctly, lubricate the O-ring with petroleum jelly prior to installing it on the strainer, and clean everything thoroughly using brake cleaner. I would use Nissan Matic D as the fluid replacement, or Castrol Import Multi Vehicle (you can get the latter from Advance Auto Parts online with discount codes). The approximate pan drop capacity should be five quarts; always verify using the dipstick after service (proper checking procedure is in the guide). Also, harvest the donut magnet from your old transmission pan, clean it up real well using brake cleaner and a rag, and drop it in the new pan. This will help catch more ferrous wear material.

I second Pathfound49's statement that other items may be damaged; be sure to inspect all wiring and such thoroughly while you have the pan off.

The lower steel oil pan is the black portion with the drain plug; the upper aluminum oil pan is the gray larger pan above it.

Good luck!

[04LEMASS]

Okay so i took care if it the other day. Got the oem pan, gasket and filter or strainer. First I Drained the oil and took off the pan. The wire seemed to all be in working order the only thing broken was the filter which was crushed. Replaced that, cleaned the magnet and put the new pan on, then added the new oil. Runs good now and the transmission stopped making that awful sound. Rides a little rougher though because i imagine i wore down the transmission when i drove it dry. Thanks for all your help

[Towncivilian]

Great to hear it! Did you put the magnet from the old pan into the new one too? Did you replace the strainer O-ring as well?

[04LEMASS]

Yes and yes, im glad you mentioned the o-ring because i would not of ordered it if you didnt

[Towncivilian]

Excellent! I'm glad to be of help.

[04LEMASS]

Still getting a slight sound from the transmission at take off, almost sounds like a duck
It only happens when i hit the pedal and last for a second or two. Im worried that i hurt the transmission when it had no oil in it

[Towncivilian]

Is the fluid level proper? Be sure you are checking the fluid level properly (steps are in this thread).

[04LEMASS]

If anything the fluid level is a little high, i followed the instructions on how to check it.

[Towncivilian]

I'd disconnect both transmission cooler lines at the bottom of the radiator and let some fluid drain out, that should remove a relatively small amount of fluid. Get the level corrected and see if the noise persists.

[04LEMASS]

Sorry to respond so late, but the oil level is back to normal but the noise still persists. ANy other solutions?

[Towncivilian]

Have you localized the location of the noise? Have you ever changed the transfer case and front differential fluids?