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Drop oil pan - any lessons learned?

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by bwilson4web, Jun 27, 2006.

  1. bwilson4web

    bwilson4web BMW i3 and Model 3

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    I'm planning to drop the oil pan, already have the 'black' sealant, on my next oil change. I'm just waiting on the Fumoto valve. But I wanted to ask if anyone has any 'lessons learned' to share?

    I'm expecting a difficult job getting the old pan to 'drop' and removing the old 'black' stuff.

    As for 'why', my first and second transaxle oil changes had evidence of dirt/grit. This vehicle came from Fort Worth TX where air borne dust and dirt is fairly common. This will let me start with about a clean of a baseline as possible.

    Thanks,
    Bob Wilson
     
    #1 bwilson4web, Jun 27, 2006
  2. mikepaul

    mikepaul Senior Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(bwilson4web @ Jun 27 2006, 07:52 AM) [snapback]277289[/snapback]</div>
    Ummm, 'transaxle oil' is what, again? Are you changing the transmission fluid and finding dirt?

    And not wanting to develop 'black stuff' is why I use synthetic...
     
    #2 mikepaul, Jun 27, 2006
  3. pcope

    pcope Junior Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(bwilson4web @ Jun 27 2006, 07:52 AM) [snapback]277289[/snapback]</div>

    The transaxle oil is supposed to last the life of the car. I had to put new transaxle oil in my 2003 Prius because the oil pan was damaged and the oil leaked out. The oil pan has a small magnet in it that helps to keep fine metal pieces out of the workings. The transaxle pan has a gasket that does not require sealant.

    If on the other hand you are changing the ICE (internal combustion engine) oil and dropping the oil pan you do need sealant. It is good to get the surface as clean and oil free as possible. I used brake cleaner fluid to do the final cleaning of the surface before putting on the sealant. I have had no problem with leaking.
     
    #3 pcope, Jun 27, 2006
  4. tochatihu

    tochatihu Senior Member

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    I have a suggestion Bob. When the pan is off, put the oil dipstick back in and see how far the 'top oil dimple' is below the the crankshaft journals when they bottom. Maybe shed some light on this oil overfill question.

    Another Prius driver lost a piece of 'oil withdrawal' tubing down the dipstick hole. Had to call a housecall mechanic to drop the pan, to retrieve the tubing. No problems were noted in reinstalling the oil pan.
     
    #4 tochatihu, Jun 27, 2006
  5. bwilson4web

    bwilson4web BMW i3 and Model 3

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(mikepaul @ Jun 27 2006, 08:01 AM) [snapback]277299[/snapback]</div>
    The transaxle oil is Toyota Type T for the NHW11 Prius. The test results showing "abrasives" is at:

    http://hiwaay.net/~bzwilson/prius/pri_T_cold.html#TRANSAXLE

    There has been some suggestion that the silicon might have leached from the assembly and/or sealants. However my testing service pointed out the aluminum also indicates drit / grit. There was also a heavy particulate load in the first oil.

    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(tochatihu @ Jun 27 2006, 12:27 PM) [snapback]277443[/snapback]</div>
    Dip-stick measurement to journals . . . Good idea! The car will be on a ramp so there will be an angle to deal with. But trig is not that difficult.

    Removing the old sealant is the one thing I'm most worrried about. The brake cleaner sounds like a good solvent. I'll make some test patches and test various solvents while waiting on the parts to arrive.

    Bob Wilson
     
    #5 bwilson4web, Jun 30, 2006
  6. galaxee

    galaxee mostly benevolent

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    just make sure the surfaces are absolutely clean before reassembling... that's DH's trick for a good seal, and he hasn't had anything come back leaky yet.
     
    #6 galaxee, Jun 30, 2006
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