Oil pan / savvy engine skid disagreement

[Marklar1983]

Went on a short trip this weekend, and got hung up in some rocks. Apparently, the Savvy engine skid flexes a bit, and it clearanced the oil pan enough that the Stahlbus started leaking - a lot. Went through a gallon of oil just to get home.

I haven't pulled the skid plate yet because everything is covered in oil and it's 100 °F outside. Going to try to get to it this evening and figure out exactly what the damage is.

Is this a typical issue with the Savvy skid, or do I have it installed too close to the oil pan?

 

[Rubiconned]

Wow. Sorry to hear this. Is it the aluminum version? Or do you think the steel one flexes just as much? I'm considering UCF.

 

[Unique Username]

Be interesting to see some photos. I assumed it would flex and spaced the skid down to increase clearance between the pan and skid. The transmission pan was the closest, that was the main reason I used the upper holes.

 

[Marklar1983]

I'll get some good pics today. '06 LJR, manual. Savvy aluminum skid. I also used the upper holes for clearance.

 

[Marklar1983]

Pics. I was wrong, skid was installed using the lower bolt holes. The impact arched the skid and bashed in the oil sump. Got parts today to replace it all. When I reinstall, I’ll use the upper skid mounting holes

 

[Tim Horne]

ouch

 

[Rubiconned]

Thank you for sharing this. Screw the weight savings with aluminum. I'm going with steel.

 

[Modoc Guy]

I’ve got the same skid, but a different drain valve. And I wondered about that.

Might not have been a problem except for the drain fitting giving something for the skid to push against.
So I guess I’m not as bulletproof with that skid as I thought.

Good to know going forward.

How hard did you come down on the skid?

 

[OldBuzzard]

That skid looks like it's still arched. Are you going to try to un-arch it?

 

[Longwhitejeep]

That looks like a hard hit. I can't imagine steel would fair any better. Wonder what it would have looked like without a skid!

 

[mrblaine]

Thank you for sharing this. Screw the weight savings with aluminum. I'm going with steel.

The skid didn't do that crunchy bit or it would have sheared off the valve. Steel will do exactly the same thing in the same circumstances with those stupid fucking valves.

 

[mrblaine]

I’ve got the same skid, but a different drain valve. And I wondered about that.

Might not have been a problem except for the drain fitting giving something for the skid to push against.
So I guess I’m not as bulletproof with that skid as I thought.

Good to know going forward.

How hard did you come down on the skid?

Drain valves are dumb if you play in the rocks. About as smart as welding one to the low point on your front diff skid. Don't be dumb.

 

[JMT]

@mrblaine, don’t the aluminum engine skids flex more than the steel so they may hit the pan and deform slightly, but do return closer to their original shape than steel, which if it is pushed into the pan will basically stay deformed?

 

[mrblaine]

@mrblaine, don’t the aluminum engine skids flex more than the steel so they may hit the pan and deform slightly, but do return closer to their original shape more than steel, which if it is pushed into the pan will basically stay deformed?

Only if they are flat without sides.

 

[willis36]

Thank you for sharing this. Screw the weight savings with aluminum. I'm going with steel.

I have came down hard on my Savvy skid many times, never an issue. But, I have the first generation design with the bolt in cover under the drain plug, not sure if there is any difference in strength.

 

[Lemmy]

While the skid may have flexed and may have allowed the oil pan to dent, it still protected the engine from catastrophic damage.
I’ve bent the Nth degree t-case skid playing in the rocks and had a skid flex enough to disturb the seal of the transmission oil pan. But no damage that left me stranded.

 

[cpwolf]

Just for clarity, there are 3 major dents that I see.

I’m not arguing on this, but how did a flat pan of metal that if pushed against this pan, cause two specific gouges next to each other like that.

And it looks like a major dimple directly behind the oil drain valve. How would a flat pan push that simple in such a specific way?

Was something lodged under the pan?
Did the pan take hits that caused these specific damage points prior to the skid and just getting a flat hit from the skid finished breaking it open?

 

[Rubiconned]

Just for clarity, there are 3 major dents that I see.

I’m not arguing on this, but how did a flat pan of metal that if pushed against this pan, cause two specific gouges next to each other like that.

And it looks like a major dimple directly behind the oil drain valve. How would a flat pan push that simple in such a specific way?

Was something lodged under the pan?
Did the pan take hits that caused these specific damage points prior to the skid and just getting a flat hit from the skid finished breaking it open?

Good detective work!

 

[Unique Username]

I think at this point we have to many unknown variables and you are trying to diagnose how a pan with curves on the edges transfers energy during a situation of unknown force. We can assume a lot of things. I am going to assume no measurements or notes were taken on the spacing before disassembly. Possibly take notes on installation of clearance between pan on assembly and maybe we can come to a consensus on the cause of failure.

 

[mrblaine]

I think at this point we have to many unknown variables and you are trying to diagnose how a pan with curves on the edges transfers energy during a situation of unknown force. We can assume a lot of things. I am going to assume no measurements or notes were taken on the spacing before disassembly. Possibly take notes on installation of clearance between pan on assembly and maybe we can come to a consensus on the cause of failure.

We know the cause of failure. That stupid valve is too close to the skid and got smacked.