why are oil pans crushed

[T2urtle]

The car that i helped do the oil change today is the 4th oil pan i've seen deformed/crushed by what looks to be a jack.

I asked all owners WTF happen and they all dont know. No issues or anything. The last two i asked they seem to have one thing in common, motor mount jobs in the past 2 years.


Ive only done one motor mount and i lifted with a block of wood around the size of a 8x10 and about an inch thick. No crushed oil pan. But now i question/fear that i could crush an oil pan as well. I dont have an engine boom/harness/cherry picker. I will have very little use for that.

Are the people who crushed these pans no using wood blocks to even out the weight? Can i ever crush a pan with a block of wood between the jack and pan?

 

[mztykal]

Maybe they didn't use wood under the pan. I've used a block of wood for years and haven't had any issues.

 

[toronado97]

Came in to post the same thing. Just put a 2x4 or couple of 1x6 between the jack and the oil pan and you should be fine unless they're making oil pans out of tin foil these days.

 

[T2urtle]

most of the cars were late 90's- early 00 imports.

 

[LTC8K6]

A Harbor Freight engine crane is cheap enough not to be risking oil pans, imo.

 

[T2urtle]

i had this in mind. But like i said ive only had to use this once. Its more of it taking up space then anything. My garage is currently a 20x20 but i wont be having a garage shortly.

http://www.harborfreight.com/1000-lb-capacity-engine-support-bar-96524.html

 

[LTC8K6]

http://www.harborfreight.com/1-ton-capacity-foldable-shop-crane-69512.html

It folds up small.

 

[Throckmorton]

Would you jack a plastic oil pan?
http://www.powerstroke.org/forum/general-6-7-discussion/158356-plastic-oil-pan.html

 

[goobernoodles]

I have both the support bar and crane in my garage. lol

The support bar is invaluable.

 

[DaTT]

My dad crushed and ripped of his oil pan not long ago by running over a piece of concrete that fell off a truck in front of him....probably unrelated though

 

[silicon]

The car that i helped do the oil change today is the 4th oil pan i've seen deformed/crushed by what looks to be a jack.

I asked all owners WTF happen and they all dont know. No issues or anything. The last two i asked they seem to have one thing in common, motor mount jobs in the past 2 years.


Ive only done one motor mount and i lifted with a block of wood around the size of a 8x10 and about an inch thick. No crushed oil pan. But now i question/fear that i could crush an oil pan as well. I dont have an engine boom/harness/cherry picker. I will have very little use for that.

Are the people who crushed these pans no using wood blocks to even out the weight? Can i ever crush a pan with a block of wood between the jack and pan?

which mechanic in their right mind would lift a car at the oil pan? This smacks of incompetence to me.

 

[Pacfanweb]

This is one way to smash and oil pan. Much cooler than with a jack.

 

[evident]

which mechanic in their right mind would lift a car at the oil pan? This smacks of incompetence to me.

agreed. there is usually a lift point in the front and center of the car.

 

[LTC8K6]

They are lifting the engine via the oil pan, not the car...

Although I suppose a few have tried lifting the car...