Community Forums

Ivylog · 11-13-2020, 02:48 PM

Posted in October about replacing my ISX oil pan after cracking a corner...bad oil leak. Got around to cleaning it up (remove JB weld and fiberglass patch) and it had dragged multiple times and there was even a star shaped crack in the middle of the bottom. Had a local metal working shop weld it up in multiple places.

The first picture is the corner repair that was cracked in 3 directions. The multiple beads is to build it up where its dragged before cracking it. 2nd is the crack in the middle and you can see where it’s dragged before...upper part of the picture. 3rd picture is inside and the actual lengths of the cracks.

I’m going to increase my rear ride height to 10+ inches in the hopes that stops it from dragging.

Timaz · 11-13-2020, 03:36 PM

Dragged. Is this from driveways or big rocks on dirt roads? I'm glad my pan sits pretty high.

Tim

Ivylog · 11-13-2020, 07:17 PM

I’ve only put 20K of the 60K miles on my 08 Navigator and was not concerned about the dip going into the gas station that cracked the oil pan...hit the 1” lip of new paving but did not drag the hitch. A rock would only scrape a small area...mine were all the way across the pan. The crack in the middle of the pan could have been a rock but no gouge either side of it.

Yes I’ve driven on some gravel roads but not that many miles and do not remember dragging the hitch.

Xmcdog · 11-13-2020, 07:43 PM

Thanks for the heads up. Something to keep in mind when I buy my coach.

Timaz · 11-13-2020, 09:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ivylog

I’ve only put 20K of the 60K miles on my 08 Navigator and was not concerned about the dip going into the gas station that cracked the oil pan...hit the 1” lip of new paving but did not drag the hitch. A rock would only scrape a small area...mine were all the way across the pan. The crack in the middle of the pan could have been a rock but no gouge either side of it.

Yes I’ve driven on some gravel roads but not that many miles and do not remember dragging the hitch.

Well that sucks. I will keep an eyeball on my pan.

Bill767 · 11-14-2020, 04:54 AM

It is interesting, there must be a significant difference in the clearance of a Detroit and the ISX. In 150,000 miles in my 2007 Nav, I have drug the hitch a few times. But what hits the ground are the very stout side pieces of thick steel thankfully. I have never hit the pan.

Twomed · 11-14-2020, 05:12 AM

Those tall concrete stops USFS and COE uses can get you if you dump air. ISL is close...always do a walkaround before shutting down.

Ivylog · 11-15-2020, 05:45 AM

After knocking the crossbar under the tranny off years ago I look to make sure I’ll clear those curbs before moving. The tallest ones I’ve seen were in Gross Ventre last summer ...had to be 8”. Made sure it would not hit anything when I lowered the coach back down.

Timaz · 11-16-2020, 12:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ivylog

After knocking the crossbar under the tranny off years ago I look to make sure I’ll clear those curbs before moving. The tallest ones I’ve seen were in Gross Ventre last summer ...had to be 8”. Made sure it would not hit anything when I lowered the coach back down.

I was in the same place this past summer and was put in a shorter spot then I should have been on the main road. I had to jockey around to make sure I didn't drop the coach down on one. And many in that CG were broken for I'm guessing the same reason.

Tim

hypoxia · 01-24-2021, 01:31 PM

I decided to raise my coach to avoid any more damage to the oil pan. I wanted to know the ground clearance at various points. I do have steel rollers bolted on to the hitch. I did some measuring & here are the results:
Air Spring Height 9" ---- Oil Pan Clearance 7 3/4" Roller 8 1/2" Hitch 11 3/8"
Air Spring Height 9 1/2" Oil Pan Clearance 8 3/4" Roller 9 1/2" Hitch 12 7/16"
Air Spring Height 9 3/4" Oil Pan Clearance 9 1/4" Roller 10" -- Hitch 12 7/8"

I'm going to set the Air Springs at 9 3/4" & see how that works. Those rollers get a lot of use when set at 9"

Piros1 · 01-25-2021, 07:26 AM

First sorry see you are dealing with an issue you shouldn’t be. I will have to check mine and see how it sets in the coach. You would think they would engineer the chassis so that the engine oil pan was not the low point or they would at least have something to protect it. My CC with the Cat C13 never had a scratch or scuff Mark on it or the transmission. Not sure on my Essex, I haven’t had the opportunity to do much investigation. I purchased it last March in AZ and spent two months in it and it hasn’t left the driveway since. Thanks for the update.

Outbound · 01-25-2021, 10:04 AM

Thanks for the measurements, steel rollers is something I have been wanting todo.

hypoxia · 01-25-2021, 12:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Outbound

Thanks for the measurements, steel rollers is something I have been wanting todo.

I have these https://ultra-fab.com/product/ultra-...%bd-bars-2-pk/

rpasetto · 01-26-2021, 08:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hypoxia

I have these https://ultra-fab.com/product/ultra-...%bd-bars-2-pk/

Thanks for the tip... Looked and they're out of stock but I think these from Walmart are the same.

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Ultra-Fab...h-Bar/50279373

I'm going to take measurements. I had a pretty big dent in my (ISM) oil pan. The mechanic I took it to thought at first to bend it back. When we both looked at it I told him it would be worth the added cost to get a new pan... metal fatigue could eventually result in a crack.