I have found some conflicting information (as always around here...) about oil drains on non turbo engines. Some say oil pan is okay, others say no - tap the front cover.

So here is my situation. I don't have a welder, I do have taps. I do NOT want to pull anything off if possible! I have the tools but to pull the pieces, but to be honest I really really dont want to pull anything off due to gaskets etc...


I like the idea of the front cover, but do not want to pull it off! I am afraid of metal shavings inside...If I go slow enough, do I need to worry? I will gladly sit there and turn the tap a 1/4 turn at a time to reduce the chances of metal chips. Regardless, the oil in the pan has yet to be filtered, correct? I'd go as far as buying two or three cheap oil changes to flush anything out.

The oil pan seems easier to work with space wise. If I pull the front cover I'd have to pull the oil pan regardless, but will a tapped fittings make a nice enough seal? What is the "best" location to tap? I have read that Aaron Cake hasnt had issues....how about anyone else?

 

Pull the oil pan, then drill and tap the front cover. Reinstall oil pan.

 

doesnt matter how slow you go... you WILL get metal shavings.

 

yes, you will get shavings in the oil and you should remove something from the engine to do it. either the pan or the front cover to do the job properly/safely.

you can minimize the shavings by dipping the drill bit into vaseline or grease and then drilling slowly, same with the tap portion. cleaning the metal off and regreasing periodically.

the proper and preferrable way is to dump it above the oil level, ie the front cover. some people have gotten by submerging the drain but it isn't recommended and will create backpressure in the turbo drain line and subsequent premature turbo oil seal blowby.

 

So what you're saying to do is pull the oil pan, tap the front cover(on the engine) and flush out any chunks that may have gotten inside?

Is it possible to take the oil pan off without lifting the engine? i do not have a hoist.

 

Not safely. One of the motor mounts bolts through the oil pan.

Remember, if you cheap out it will likely bite you in the ***. Any bits of metal in these engines could be catastrophic.

 

Is it safe to lift the engine with a jack via the transmission behind the bell housing? I am tempted to bring it to my friend to do the job, but he is lazy and will tell me to just weld the oil pan -.- I'd rather do it right myself, and have no one to blame but myself if something fails.

 

Or...just get a turbo front cover