Supporting Engine

[blkexp98]

I need to change the engine mounts on a 2002 protege and am trying to come up with a good solution to support and slightly lift the engine. I dont have a engine hoist or room for one and have read some mixed opinions on using a jack with a board. Have any of you had damage to the oil pan seal using a jack with a board to spread the load? I really dont want to add to the issue by breaking something else in the process so if any of you have any ideas or tips im all ears.

Thanks,

Major

 

[hornsfan10609]

Just use a jack and piece of wood, you have the right idea. No real other way to do it. If you have trouble getting the mount in you may need to loosen the side mounts, if you are only replacing one you should be fine.

 

[tradosaurus]

Please don't use a jack under the oil pan. Not worth risking an oil leak.

I bought an engine support bar at Harbor Freight to change engine mount and I also used it to hold the intake manifold while replacing the gasket.

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

 

[hornsfan10609]

*facepalm*

Jacking under the oil pan is fine, it will not damage anything if you use a block of wood and don't apply more pressure than necessary to it. I used to do this for a living, bud.

 

[tradosaurus]

*facepalm*

Jacking under the oil pan is fine, it will not damage anything if you use a block of wood and don't apply more pressure than necessary to it. I used to do this for a living, bud.

Well good to know. I'm glad you never worked on my car with such a careless attitude.

 

[tweety2300]

Well good to know. I'm glad you never worked on my car with such a careless attitude.

240sx with ka (multiple times), 240sx with rb26, protege, celica, matrix, civic( countless times) and probably more I'm forgetting have all had the engine lifted via jack with a block of wood on oil pan none of them have leaked or had issues

The only reason it would damage the oil pan gasket is of it's dry rotted and bad anyway. A healthy seal can handle a little compression without issue.

We're All backyard mechanics trying to save a buck not take it to a shop or buy special tools when needed. And when necessary ask for a different or better way to do something. If you're saying by doing that we're wrong you're on the wrong forum bud. And to save your health stay away from the sloppy mechanics group. Or better yet do it and take a video of your reaction to the s*** they do

 

[03protolx]

Jacking under the oil pan is completely fine. Using a support bar I suppose is a" right" way to do it, but it will get in the way when crouching over the engine to reach the rear engine mount.

I always learned to do the drivers side first, then passenger. Then your engine will me elevated enough to easily slide the rear bolt through the engine mount then of course your front mount is the easiest. Don't forget to put the engine dampener back on.

 

[Hound]

*facepalm*

Jacking under the oil pan is fine, it will not damage anything if you use a block of wood and don't apply more pressure than necessary to it. I used to do this for a living, bud.

Notice this guys profile says he is a Mazda Tech?? Granted that doesn't always mean anything but I have already done this and never even used a board. I just have years of non dum dum car repair experience; thus telling me if I don't use excessive force it will all be ok.

PS. use the piece of wood as it will help as a cushion of a sorts rather than metal on metal.

 

[tradosaurus]

Yes, because we all know the oil pan was designed to support the engine.

 

[Kreepaevox]

No, but in a certain degree it can. I understand not all of us are bushwhack mechanics, but sometimes we have to make due with what we have

I jacked up the engine with jack and wood to install new engine mounts and inserts, worked lke a dream, no damage to the pan. You just gotta know how to do it. Not all of us have mechanic bays readily available for SIMPLE jobs as this

 

[tweety2300]

Lol what is it with uppity people on here? I'm sorry but if you think putting some preassure on an oil pan will damage it then maybe you shouldn't be working on your own car. A lot of them are steel or decently thick aluminum so that when some dumbass American driver runs up on a curve and hits it, it won't get hurt