Dented oil pan going over raised manhole cover. Immediate replacement or can it wait until winter?

[tonyp25]

DOT is tearing up the road near my house. Slowly drove over a slightly raised man hole cover and it hit my oil pan. No leaks so far. I didn’t lose oil pressure and everything seems fine.

This is my first time being dumb enough to do this. Should have just driven around it.

Do you typically need to pull the pan? Could I weld a nut on to pull the dent out with a slide hammer? Or could I just leave it and deal with it later?

 

[Don Frelier]

The only potential problem and it's probably unlikely is it got right up against the oil pickup screen.
So not as much room to let oil in between.
Keep an eye on the oil pressure when it's cold and the oil is more viscous.
Id also caution against high rpm running.

 

[RR Fan Dan]

If it’s not leaking I would say it’s okay to drive. Just keep an eye on it and your oil pressure. It doesn’t look bad in the pictures.

 

[Rishi]

I've seen many a 440 oil pan (mostly on C bodies) that look like that, having been driven with the dent for years without apparent issue.

The oil pickup is a good 1/2-inch from the bottom of the oil pan, so it takes a significant dent (more than 1/4-inch depression) before I would begin to worry. Measure your dent, if you want, but it looks like 3/16-inch to me.

I've gone to the trouble only once to drop the oil pan and pound it back out with a 2x4 block of wood. I think I needed to raise the engine about an inch while changing a freeze plug, and opted to do the oil pan, since it seemed more accessible at the time. After completing the project, I was left feeling it was uneccessary.

 

[Bird 426]

If you do replace it, I would also check the pickup

 

[69conv]

I would slowly increase the rmp while watching the oil pressure to make sure there is no restriction. You can shut it down before there is any damage but u will know.

 

[zyzzyx]

Can you drain the oil and put a long heavy screw driver into the drain hole and push the
pan down away from the pickup? With some patience, I think you could do a great job!
Kind of like paintless dent removal.

 

[tonyp25]

The only potential problem and it's probably unlikely is it got right up against the oil pickup screen.
So not as much room to let oil in between.
Keep an eye on the oil pressure when it's cold and the oil is more viscous.
Id also caution against high rpm running.

Thanks Don. Looking at the last picture I just realized I can see the flywheel. Totally separate question but Is that normal? I feel like I shouldn’t be able to see that. I somehow hadn’t noticed that before while being under the car

 

[Daves69]

Hard to tell the depth from pictures without a straight edge across it. Not sure a stock oil pick up has a lot of clearance to the pan bottom.
IMO, it would be a good idea to pull the pan especially if you know the pickup is close to the bucket bottom. If the pickup screen is breached, it may be possible for the oil pump to pick up debris large enough to lockup your oil pump.............. at any time in your travels.

Might also be good to get the cover back on the trans.

 

[Don Frelier]

Thanks Don. Looking at the last picture I just realized I can see the flywheel. Totally separate question but Is that normal? I feel like I shouldn’t be able to see that. I somehow hadn’t noticed that before while being under the car

You're missing the dust cover/ inspection cover at the bottom of the bell housing.
It extends beneath the starter as well, so someone left it off.

 

[j-c-c-62]

How about draining the oil, leave the plug out, shoot a tad of starting fluid into the oil pan thru the plug hole, stand back, light it, and let us know how it works out.
Probably should video it, it will make you famous on Utube.
Of course at your own risk.

 

[tonyp25]

Can you drain the oil and put a long heavy screw driver into the drain hole and push the
pan down away from the pickup? With some patience, I think you could do a great job!
Kind of like paintless dent removal.

Thanks for this! Made me realize I could also fit my borescope in there to get a clear view of what the oil pickup looks like and the clearance it has from the pan bottom

 

[WileE]

Doesn't look all too bad compared to those dummies that use the oil pan to jack up the engine. The critical concern is if the pickup is cracked and air enters it.

 

[tonyp25]

Hard to tell the depth from pictures without a straight edge across it. Not sure a stock oil pick up has a lot of clearance to the pan bottom.
IMO, it would be a good idea to pull the pan especially if you know the pickup is close to the bucket bottom. If the pickup screen is breached, it may be possible for the oil pump to pick up debris large enough to lockup your oil pump.............. at any time in your travels.

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Might also be good to get the cover back on the trans.

Super helpful to visually be able to see it. I think I just need to sleep on it and tackle it in the morning. I took a few more pictures but between trying to hold something flat against it (to see how bent it is) and take a picture I think I’m actually making it look worse than it is.

 

[RR Fan Dan]

I think you’re worrying way too much about nothing. If it bothers you that much, drop the pan. It’s only a few bolts.

 

[R413]

It is not a big deal, run it. I've bought many used cars like that. Yes watch the pressure fans but it won't do anything bad.

Note: do not start pounding on the oil pan with a screwdriver through the dipstick hole.
Almost the dumbest idea this year.

 

[33 IMP]

If you had an aftermarket bottom-feeder pickup, I'd be worried. With a stock pickup, I think you're fine. Keep an eye on oil pressure (hope you have a mechanical gauge, electric is too slow/insensitive.)
Fix it at your leisure .

 

[j-c-c-62]

It is not a big deal, run it. I've bought many used cars like that. Yes watch the pressure fans but it won't do anything bad.

Note: do not start pounding on the oil pan with a screwdriver through the dipstick hole.
Almost the dumbest idea this year.

Dumbest idea I heard this year was shared to a not very bright released convict who asked a group of "coworkers" what he legally could do to protect himself inside his home.

They suggested a Magnesium emergency flare gun.

 

[BSB67]

That dent is so nothing. I wouldn’t do anything. It is fine.

 

[mtbase]

I've seen much worse.
This can wait until you have a reason to pull the motor.
I would NOT attempt any fix...they could only make things worse