2001 Ranger oil pan seal replaced

[borderqueen]

I had a leaking oil pan seal replaced, drove the truck 15-20 miles and it died and won't start. The oil pressure gauge started swinging then dropped to low and the overdrive light started blinking right before it died. Any ideas?

[mrmikey]

If it worked fine before you changed the pan gasket I'd say you knocked somethin loose. A plug/s or more than likely an engine/chassis ground strap.....Mike

[Davescort97]

Has it got plenty of oil in it?

[borderqueen]

Yes, had plenty of oil. When tried to start, clicked like the battery was dead but it wasn't. Thanks for your help!

[borderqueen]

Had my truck looked at, they tried to turn the engine by hand and it wouldn't. Says it's locked up and need a new engine!

[mrmikey]

So was the pickup knocked loose when the pan was removed or was something else done wrong or just bad timing.....Mike

[borderqueen]

LOL! I would like to know! The truck was running fine when I took it in for the replacement seal. It never even got really low on oil because I didn't drive it and when I took it in (30 miles), I made sure the oil was full. The leak wasn't major. I was told that the engine might have locked up because of low oil pressure, and since the guage was messed up after the work, and the guy said he checked the pressure several times before releasing the truck back to me but it was ok, I think something wasn't right when they put it back together. Is trying to start the engine and turn the motor over by hand the only way to tell if the engine is locked up? I wonder if I should take it someplace else to be checked or just scrap the truck! It didn't even have 90,000 miles on it

[inafogg]

it sounds like someone at the SHOP screwed up if it were me a second opinion
would be in order.i'd suspect the oil pick up.
but dont let'em bend you over!!!!

[Davescort97]

I think they made a grave error when they replaced the pan seal. Either the pickup for the oil pump came loose (knocked loose) or they disturbed so much sludge in the pan replacing the seal that the intake screen became clogged. Then again, it could be a coincidence. Which I doubt. The gauge wasn't defective like he said. It just didn't have enough pressure to actuate it and the problem went from bad to worse in the 30 miles that you drove. The only way to check for a siezed engine is to turn the crankshaft pulley bolt with a socket and ratchet. Also, the starter won't turn it over and it mimics that The only way to check it is to drop the pan again and check the pickup and screen of the oil pump. Have another shop drop the pan and check those two things. This is the only way I know of to establish who did what. I suspect that since the pan had to be lowered enough to clear the crankshaft that the intake on the pump was knocked loose. $100 for a nasty letter from your attorney may be cheaper than replacing the engine yourself.

[borderqueen]

Thanks to all of you! I'm an old (56) lady and don't know enough to know if I'm being told the truth or not. Plus I live in a rural area so mechanics aren't plentyful!

[UsedtobeSmart]

Talk to your lawyer, get them to send letter (which they might be willing to send for free since it's encouraging business, though they will probably ask for postage in that case), and don't be afraid to ask another mechanic for his professional opinion so you have something more to give said lawyer.

Something sounds extremely fishy to me about the whole deal. Davescort97 has, in my opinion, the right idea about what may have happened.

Oh, and stop using that shop. :-)