Dropping oil pan... What the hell is this?!

00TJGURL15

Member
Joined
May 19, 2015
Location
NC
So, I've been taking in small things I can try to do myself. This time it's the oil pan gasket and rear main seal. I found out my TJ is a one piece, so yay on dropping transmission this weekend. However I noticed this pieces down in my oil pan as I was cleaning it out. Would anyone know why the hell they are? Some looked like broken springs and the others were black plastic pieces. Should they be cause for concern?
 

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Does it go tap tap tap from the front cover at idle?
 
Make sure to replace the chain, which will likely be worn if the tensioner has been failed for a while. Also check the crank and cam sprockets for wear. Slack timing chains tend to eat themselves fairly rapidly. On the plus side, the chain must be intact (because the engine runs) and you would likely know if it has skipped timing.
 
Fabrik8 said:
Make sure to replace the chain, which will likely be worn if the tensioner has been failed for a while. Also check the crank and cam sprockets for wear. Slack timing chains tend to eat themselves fairly rapidly. On the plus side, the chain must be intact (because the engine runs) and you would likely know if it has skipped timing.
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Yeah, but depending on the vehicle history, I wouldn't be surprised if a PO replaced the chain and/or tensioner and didn't drop the pan when they did the timing work. Without the tensioner, the chain will slap the front cover at idle (and will eventually wear a hole in it).

If the pan is still off, you should be able to see the tensioner. It's down near the bottom, just to the side of the crank.
 
00TJGURL15 said:
So, I've been taking in small things I can try to do myself. This time it's the oil pan gasket and rear main seal. I found out my TJ is a one piece, so yay on dropping transmission this weekend. However I noticed this pieces down in my oil pan as I was cleaning it out. Would anyone know why the hell they are? Some looked like broken springs and the others were black plastic pieces. Should they be cause for concern?
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Stuntman Autoworks said:
Can't really see anything in any detail in the pics you provided. Do you have any better ones?
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Is this better?
 

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Thanks y'all! I will check that after we drop the tranny for the rear main seal. Might as well do the camshaft seal since I'll be in that area.
 
Great call fellas! After further inspection, tensioner was gone! Chain cracked the damned cover and was loose as hell! Gotta order cover before everything goes back in. I appreciate the help!
 
I may have a front cover you are welcome to.
It might save you a few dollars...
 
catfishblues said:
Ain't it great when you try to cut your teeth one little thing at a time, then it snowballs rapidly into a motor pull and rebuild? ;) Sometimes you wish you had just ignored the leak. Good thing there's helpful folks here!
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Yes, thankfully! Back up is apparently a must when owning 4x4s!
 
00TJGURL15 said:
Awesome! When/where can we meet? How much ya want for it? Lol
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I live just south of Charlotte but traveling up to Raleigh next weekend. Where are you and we can figure it out or I can drop it in the mail in suppose .

Free if you can !set me somewhere reasonably convenient or you pay shipping. It's in my way.
 
Ron said:
I live just south of Charlotte but traveling up to Raleigh next weekend. Where are you and we can figure it out or I can drop it in the mail in suppose .

Free if you can !set me somewhere reasonably convenient or you pay shipping. It's in my way.
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Sweet! I live just off US1 towards Raliegh. I can meet you anywhere; I don't want to make you get too far off your route.
 
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