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Home >> Ford >> 2012 >> Explorer Base, 3.5 8, AWD, 6F50 >> Repair and Diagnosis >> External Pages >> Different car >> Section 176 (Engine Mechanical - 3.7L) >> In-Vehicle Repair >> Oil Pan >> Removal

Oil Pan: Removal

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2013 Ford Mustang. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.
NOTE: During engine repair procedures, cleanliness is extremely important. Any foreign material, including any material created while cleaning gasket surfaces, that enters the oil passages, coolant passages or the oil pan, may cause engine failure.
NOTE: Automatic transmission shown in illustration, manual transmission similar.
  1. With the vehicle in NEUTRAL, position it on a hoist. For additional information, refer to JACKING & LIFTING .
  2. Remove the 2 steering column dash boot bearing nuts.
    Fig 1: Locating Steering Column Dash Boot Bearing Nuts
    G06394907Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
  3. NOTE: Use a steering wheel holding device (such as Hunter® 28-75-1 or equivalent).

    Using a suitable holding device, hold the steering wheel in the straight-ahead position.

    Fig 2: Locating Steering Column Dash Boot Bearing Nuts
    G06394907Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
  4. NOTE: LH shown in illustration, RH similar.

    If equipped, remove the 4 nuts (2 shown in illustration) and the strut tower cross brace.

    G07487088
  5. If equipped, detach the 2 retainers and remove the engine appearance cover.
    G07487089
  6. Remove the battery tray. For additional information, refer to BATTERY, MOUNTING AND CABLES .
  7. Remove the oil level indicator.
    G07959762
  8. NOTE: The ground wire must be remove for access to upper transmission bolt and stud bolts.

    Remove the bolt and the ground wire from the rear of the engine.

    G07986887
  9. Detach the 2 wiring harness retainers (1 shown in illustration) from the 2 upper bellhousing-to-engine stud bolts.
    G07986888
  10. Loosen the 4 (2 shown in illustration) upper bellhousing-to-engine bolts and stud bolts 5 mm (0.19 in).
    G07986889
  11. NOTE: RH shown in illustration, LH similar.

    Remove the RH and LH engine mount-to-engine bracket mount nuts.

    G07489663
  12. Remove the nut from the rear LH valve cover stud bolt and position the generator wiring harness bracket aside.
    G07489664
  13. Install the LH engine lift eye.
    G07489665
  14. Install the RH front engine lift eye.
    G07489666
  15. Remove the 8 pin-type retainers and the radiator sight shield.
    G08640298
  16. Remove the 2 bolts and the RH radiator support bracket.
    G07489668
  17. NOTE: Do not position the legs of the Engine Support Bar on the fenders. Instead, position the legs on the body structure near the suspension strut tower. Failure to follow these instructions may result in body damage.

    Install the Engine Support Bar.

    G07489669
  18. Remove the 9 bolts and the lower air deflector.
    G07489670
  19. NOTE: RH shown in illustration, LH similar.

    Loosen the 2 nuts for the crossmember brace.

    G07489673
  20. NOTE: RH shown in illustration, LH similar.

    Remove the 6 bolts (2 shown in illustration) and slide the crossmember brace forward and remove.

    G07489674
  21. NOTE: RH shown in illustration, LH similar.

    Remove the 4 nuts (2 shown in illustration) and the front crossmember brace.

    G07474214
  22. Remove the drain plug and drain the engine oil.
    • Install the drain plug and tighten to 27 Nm (20 lb-ft).
      G07958791
  23. Remove and discard the engine oil filter.
    G07986902
  24. Disconnect the 2 Electronic Power Assist Steering (EPAS) electrical connectors.
    G07487033
  25. Detach the 2 EPAS wiring harness pin-type retainers.
    G07489675
  26. Remove the steering shaft pinch bolt and disconnect the steering shaft.
    G07489676
  27. NOTE: Mark the position of the 4 subframe nuts and 4 subframe bolts for reference during installation.
    NOTE: RH shown in illustration, LH similar.

    Remove the 4 rear subframe bolts.

    G07489677
  28. Using an adjustable jackstand, support the subframe.
    G07986907
  29. NOTE: RH shown in illustration, LH similar.

    Remove the 4 front subframe nuts and lower the subframe, using the adjustable jackstand.

    G07489679
  30. Loosen the engine-to-bellhousing bolt above the starter motor 5 mm (0.19 in).
    G07958800
  31. Remove the oil pan-to-bellhousing bolt from below the starter motor.
    G07958801
  32. Loosen the 2 LH bellhousing-to-engine bolts 5 mm (0.19 in).
    G07958802
  33. NOTE: The automatic transmission has one more bottom bellhousing-to-oil pan bolt than the manual transmission.
    NOTE: Automatic transmission shown in illustration, manual transmission similar.

    Remove the 2 LH bellhousing-to-oil pan bolts.

    G07958803
  34. Slide the transmission rearward 5 mm (0.19 in).
  35. Remove the 4 lower engine front cover bolts.
    G07958805
  36. Remove the 16 oil pan bolts.
    Fig 3: Locating Oil Pan Bolts
    G07958806Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
  37. NOTE: LH rear shown in illustration, RH front similar.
    NOTE: The subframe may need to be lowered more for clearance to remove the oil pan.

    Using a suitable pry tool, locate the 2 pry pads (1 shown in illustration) at the LH and RH side of the oil pan and pry the oil pan loose and remove.

    G07958807
  38. NOTE: Only use a 3M™ Roloc® Bristle Disk (2-in white, part number 07528) to clean the oil pan. Do not use metal scrapers, wire brushes or any other power abrasive disk to clean. These tools cause scratches and gouges that make leak paths.

    Clean the engine oil pan using a 3M™ Roloc® Bristle Disk (2-in white, part number 07528) in a suitable tool turning at the recommended speed of 15, 000 rpm.

    • Thoroughly wash the oil pan to remove any foreign material, including any abrasive particles created during the cleaning process.
  39. NOTE: Do not use wire brushes, power abrasive discs or 3M™ Roloc® Bristle Disk (2-in white, part number 07528) to clean the sealing surfaces. These tools cause scratches and gouges that make leak paths. They also cause contamination that causes premature engine failure. Remove all traces of the gasket.

    Clean the sealing surfaces of the cylinder block and engine front cover in the following sequence.

    1. Remove any large deposits of silicone or gasket material.
    2. Apply silicone gasket remover and allow to set for several minutes.
    3. Remove the silicone gasket remover. A second application of silicone gasket remover may be required if residual traces of silicone or gasket material remain.
    4. Apply metal surface prep to remove any remaining traces of oil and to prepare the surfaces to bond. Do not attempt to make the metal shiny. Some staining of the metal surfaces is normal.