jack slipped

Steve C

Member
Hi, in the past ive jacked up the front of the car many times using the flat part of the front cross member, today while lowering the car down the jack slipped rearwards and has dented the sump!!, the dent is about half inch deep, the sump has not cracked or split open, there is no oil leak at all.
Although i have been really stupid and clumsy have i had a lucky escape, or could i be in the deep dodo.
regards Steve
 
There are lots of sumps out there with dents just like that.

I'd only be worried if the dent was close to the oil pickup pipe. If that were the case, or you're worried, it's a case of dropping the sump and getting to it with a block of wood and a hammer. Easy removing the sump on a manual car, less so on an auto as the exhaust front pipes need to come off.
 
Thanks Harvey, the car is an auto, not sure where the oil pick up pipe is in relation to the sump, however am i right in thinking that if the pick up pipe was damaged it would affect the oil pressure, i have driven the car and oil pressure is as it was before the slip,i had just changed the oil and filter prior to the slip.
 
Thanks Harvey, the car is an auto, not sure where the oil pick up pipe is in relation to the sump, however am i right in thinking that if the pick up pipe was damaged it would affect the oil pressure, i have driven the car and oil pressure is as it was before the slip,i had just changed the oil and filter prior to the slip.

Please excuse me Harvey for jumping in and answering Steve's question, I hope you don't mind!

Steve, oil pressure that you see on the gauge is a measure of resistance to flow as the oil leaves the oil pump. So the gauge illustrates pressure on the output side of the pump. If there happened to be damage to the oil pickup, as that is on the input side, it does not reflect in a variation on the gauge, unless the damage was sufficient to impair the ability of the pump to draw an adequate volume of oil from the sump. The Rover V8 engine relies on oil volume as opposed to pressure, so if the volume of oil that can flow through the engine at a given rpm has been compromised, then the longevity of your engine will also be compromised. As Harvey surmised, if you're worried and it helps you to sleep, dropping the sump would be the best option. You can knock the dent out whilst you're at it.

Ron.
 
Had my sump off recently. It also had a dent in the front of the deep section, but it was only 10mm deep at worst, and did not extend rearwards more than 25mm. The oil pickup is well towards the rear of the deep section, so I doubt you will have a problem, but only examination will confirm. The two semi hidden bolts will require some dexterity to remove and to restart into the block. I located the new gasket to the sump with small cable ties through 1 of the very front bolt holes, and 2 others on each side while I got some bolts started, and then snipped the ties off and removed them.
 
Thanks to you all for the very helpful advise, i will order up a new sump gasket and while waiting get some easing oil on the very rusted exhaust bolts in prep for dismantling.

regards Steve.
 
At last managed to get the sump off ( after removing the exhaust ) and was much relieved to find no damage to the pick up pipe. i,ve carefully straightened the damage to the sump with a block of wood, ( did not want to split it) every thing is now cleaned up and ready to try and refit if i get time tomorrow, two questions i have,
I will be fitting a rubber gasket, and have been advised to fit it dry, ( no sealant) ? also do not want to damage the new gasket, advise on torque please.
Many thanks Steve
 
Hi, No set torque figure, you just need to keep an eye on the gasket to make sure you're not squeezing it out, you'll soon get a feel for it.

Colin
 
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