Replacing oil pan, replace bearings?

[signes]

I've got to get my oil pan replaced and was wondering since they are pulling it if I should preemptively replace the rod bearings? I've been doing Blackstone reports for the last few changes with no noticeable issues. Just considering the bearings since it is so involved / expensive to drop and replace the pan. Can they inspect them without removing each bearing? I assume no, but again wanted to check.

BTW, pray that you don't need to ever replace the pan. Getting quoted 8-10 hours of labor + the pan itself (which is $950-1100 + core! )

[Sirius Black]

Is your oil cracked, or is the drain plug stripped. My drain plug was stripped. Used a Time Sert kit to repair it. Worked great.

[tom @ eas]

Originally Posted by signes

I've got to get my oil pan replaced and was wondering since they are pulling it if I should preemptively replace the rod bearings? I've been doing Blackstone reports for the last few changes with no noticeable issues. Just considering the bearings since it is so involved / expensive to drop and replace the pan. Can they inspect them without removing each bearing? I assume no, but again wanted to check.

BTW, pray that you don't need to ever replace the pan. Getting quoted 8-10 hours of labor + the pan itself (which is $950-1100 + core! )

Being the earlier bearings, it couldn't hurt to have then inspected while in there. I'd even replace them since you are already pulling the pan.

[W///]

If you are paying that much labor already, might as well bite the bullet and do the bearings IMHO. Then the S65 should be good for a while

[s85e90]

I dunno; doing a pan is much less labor intensive than bearings and it's still a bigger job to go; and your reports are fine, why fix what ain't broke?

[SYZ]

Originally Posted by s85e90

I dunno; doing a pan is much less labor intensive than bearings and it's still a bigger job to go; and your reports are fine, why fix what ain't broke?

waste of money imo. why did you bother with the reports if you're going to ignore the results?

[signes]

Originally Posted by SYZ

waste of money imo. why did you bother with the reports if you're going to ignore the results?

My results have looked okay thus far, hence my dilemma. I can have the tech inspect them but don't think they will see much unless they remove the bearings, right? Never seen it done so just wondering what is possible.

[signes]

Originally Posted by Sirius Black

Is your oil cracked, or is the drain plug stripped. My drain plug was stripped. Used a Time Sert kit to repair it. Worked great.

Did you have to drop the pan to do this? Assume so.

[ThatGuyMikee]

Originally Posted by signes

Did you have to drop the pan to do this? Assume so.

Nope

[Sirius Black]

Originally Posted by signes

Did you have to drop the pan to do this? Assume so.

Absolutely not, just put the car on a lift, drain the oil. It only took maybe five minutes to do the job. Very easy, did it myself. Access to a lift makes it a lot easier. There are a few youtube clips you can watch first.

[signes]

How do you ensure no shavings from drilling it don't stay in the pan? Will try and find some videos to watch. Thanks.

[s85e90]

Originally Posted by signes

How do you ensure no shavings from drilling it don't stay in the pan? Will try and find some videos to watch. Thanks.

shouldn't be an issue but I use to drill and tap things using Vaseline coated on whatever I was using to catch any shavings

[Sirius Black]

Originally Posted by s85e90

shouldn't be an issue but I use to drill and tap things using Vaseline coated on whatever I was using to catch any shavings

Exactly, I used bearing grease on mine to catch the shavings.

[signes]

Just a quick update. Proceeded with a replacement of the pan. Visual inspection was good per my SA plus got the updated Blackstone report from my last change below. All levels look good so leaving well enough alone for now. Knock on wood.

[BPMSport]

Very nice report!

[swamp2]

I agree with those saying don't bother. You've got great oil reports and assuming no audible signs of bottom end problems, save your money. It's hard not to be swayed by the contingent here saying that every S65 is a bearing time bomb waiting to explode... So indeed don't waste money on oil reports if you are going to completely ignore them. Good luck.

[CBS]

^ This

[chris719]

If you read enough on BITOG, you'll come to distrust UOA as a measure of engine health. Better than nothing, but it's real intention is to tell you how the oil is doing.

[signes]

Originally Posted by swamp2

I agree with those saying don't bother. You've got great oil reports and assuming no audible signs of bottom end problems, save your money. It's hard not to be swayed by the contingent here saying that every S65 is a bearing time bomb waiting to explode... So indeed don't waste money on oil reports if you are going to completely ignore them. Good luck.

I wasn't ignoring the reports, they are not a certain indicator of wear (although at my levels they do provide good assurance.) I also had not seen the most recent report (above) prior to my post. Since the labor cost is so high and related between replacing an oil pan and doing bearings it was worth asking the question, especially since the cost of new bearings is not significant relative to the potential issue they can cause. (Being out of warranty gives one pause.)

I believe I may benefit from having most of my miles at highway speeds and full operating temps. Hopefully future reports have consistent results.

[gobuffs]

I'd have replaced them since 75% or more of the job is getting the pan off.

[signes]

Should have just done this at home with some ramps...

[dparm]

Originally Posted by chris719

If you read enough on BITOG, you'll come to distrust UOA as a measure of engine health. Better than nothing, but it's real intention is to tell you how the oil is doing.

Correct, it's a better indication of how a particular oil is holding up for your situation (driving style, specific motor, etc).