Transmission pan drop - Mike Rowe's dirty jobs?
03-30-2009, 09:48 AM
#1
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Transmission pan drop - Mike Rowe's dirty jobs?
Wow I just finished this on my 85 on jackstands in my garage. What a filthy job to do on your back! Once the pan it off the valve body and filter just drip everywhere. Glad it's done, now I will have to power wash the oil slick on my garage floor!
03-30-2009, 10:32 AM
#4
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+1. I went through several pairs of safety glasses because the gunk kept falling on my face.
[Steve Martin voice]Engine gunk: A pinch behind each ear and you'll smell like no other guy!
[/Steve Martin voice]
03-30-2009, 10:43 AM
#5
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That one is on the list, right now mine aren't too bad so I have some time to rest and reflect on that job LOL!
You are making me jealous, I would love a lift. Putting it on the list along with a separate shop to work on stuff. I sprayed the heck out of the whole transmission area with brake clean and it got most of the big stuff off.
You are making me jealous, I would love a lift. Putting it on the list along with a separate shop to work on stuff. I sprayed the heck out of the whole transmission area with brake clean and it got most of the big stuff off.
03-30-2009, 04:21 PM
#6
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I guess I was lucky with my oil pan.. didn't get too messy. I left the two middle bolts in, but very loose, and tilted the pan to the rear to drain out what was left in the rear section.. Came down clean after that. I did leave a cat litter box under the engine for a day to catch the rest of the slow drips.
03-30-2009, 04:41 PM
#7
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I guess I was lucky with my oil pan.. didn't get too messy. I left the two middle bolts in, but very loose, and tilted the pan to the rear to drain out what was left in the rear section.. Came down clean after that. I did leave a cat litter box under the engine for a day to catch the rest of the slow drips.
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03-30-2009, 07:14 PM
#8
There was an evil, filthy mess all over the floor that required a gallon of Simple Green to eradicate. A decade or so of leaky steering rack, oil pan gasket and cam end seals made for as big a cleanup job as was required for repair labor.
03-30-2009, 07:36 PM
#9
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03-30-2009, 08:29 PM
#10
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As much as it sucks (and it does!) at least the pan has a drain plug.... On my wife's Chrysler, I had to drop the pan and tip it to drain the fluid--which I think is kind of common on a lot of cars.
03-30-2009, 08:59 PM
#11
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I confess that for the trans fluid swaps I put a big plastic pan under the trans. Fluid is drained first into a catch can with a funnel, then the trans pan is dropped with the side away from me getting dropped first. Very Important! All the surplus spillage ends up in the oversized dishpan instead of on the floor. That stays there until the trans pan is back on and snugged up correctly. ATF is one of those fluids that grows magically once it hits the floor. A few ounces on the floor grows into a lake in no time at all it seems. Once it gets on your clothes, shoes, the wheels on the creeper or your tools, it gets spread everywhere.
On the slimy mess that too often is part of the motor mount/pan gasket project, I took a lesson from a post by Sean R and Danny F as they described a little pre-cleaning. OK, a lot of pre-cleaning. A month after Sean's post, Ryan P decided it was time to do his S4 as part of the pre-sale prep. He spent some time with detergent and the pressure washer, de-sliming the front half of the car underneath. It made the job so much better! Unless you live in the frozen wastelands where winter water washing outdoors is impossible (and you know who you are!!...), do yourself a huge favor and spend the time getting the bottom cleaned up in advance of your MM/OPG workday.
On the slimy mess that too often is part of the motor mount/pan gasket project, I took a lesson from a post by Sean R and Danny F as they described a little pre-cleaning. OK, a lot of pre-cleaning. A month after Sean's post, Ryan P decided it was time to do his S4 as part of the pre-sale prep. He spent some time with detergent and the pressure washer, de-sliming the front half of the car underneath. It made the job so much better! Unless you live in the frozen wastelands where winter water washing outdoors is impossible (and you know who you are!!...), do yourself a huge favor and spend the time getting the bottom cleaned up in advance of your MM/OPG workday.
03-30-2009, 09:08 PM
#13
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I had a weak moment last week and one of these (factory refurb) followed me home. I'm hoping it'll make quick work of nooks and crannies in a naked engine compartment. And remove all the chalk drawings from the front porch. And all the dirt from the side of the house by the trampoline (don't ask.....)
03-30-2009, 09:25 PM
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03-30-2009, 10:51 PM
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I'm right there with ya Cosmo. I dropped the pan, pulled all the trans cooler lines, oil cooler lines, and power steering lines/pump this past Saturday. What an unholy mess even using a BIG catch pan and allowing for plenty of drain time. The car has a kitty litter beach under it while I am out of town on business. I have a helper stirring the KL every other day until I get back. Most of the mess ought to be soaked up by then.
Mike
Mike