Ford Repair: Ford Ranger 1992 Oil Pan Gasket, shade tree mechanics, crank case

Question
Hello again,

Thanks for your quick reply.  As luck would have it I have the 4.0L engine.
Guess I'll have to live with the oil leak since the cost of replacing the gasket is so high.

As a follow-up question regarding the oil pan leak.  I was told ny the service manager at the dealership the the engine crank case was filled with very thick gunky oil most likely due to age and the fact that the oil hadn't been chaged ofet enough.  So my question for you know is this....

Short of pulling the oil pan and cleaning everthing out is there aome way to clean out this "gunk"???  I remember years ago, shade tree mechanics would drain the oil and replace it with diesel fuel, remove the spark plugs and crank over the engine for afew minutes, drain and refill with regular oil. I'm not avocating doing this, but this make me wonder if there isn't some other means to accomplish the same goal.

Any suggestions highly appreciated.

Thanks



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Followup To
Question -
Hello,

I was told by the Ford Dealership that in order to replace the oil pan gasket on a 1992 Ford Ranger 6 cylinder engine it is nescssary to pull the transmission.  Needless to say the cost for doing so is very high. I've never heard of any such replacement requiring the tranny to be removed.  Is this true or is the dealership just trying to charge for un-needed work?

Thanks
Answer -
Hello and thanks for the question...I'll try to help.
I've NEVER heard of the transmission having to be removed......EVER! If your engine is a 4.0L the engine needs to be removed. If it is a 3.0L it just needs to lifted. Either way.....the transmission doesn't need to be removed. If you want I can send the removal procedure for both engines............
Erik  

Answer
Hello and thanks for the question...I'll try to help.
Yes...that is what we use to do. BUT.....don't crank the engine. Just drain the oil and fill the crank case up with diesel fuel and let it sit for a day. The "gunk" will be gone. On the other hand, any leaks that are there will be more prominant due to the removal of the "gunk". It can and will also damage some gaskets. Your best bet is to start changing the oil every 1,000 miles. For a while, until it starts to clear up, then switch back to the 3000 mile service interval.
Erik