The oil pan on a Ford Ranger pickup is mounted on the bottom of the engine block; it collects motor oil after the oil circulates through the engine. If you regularly notice a black puddle underneath your engine, it is a good sign that you have an oil pan leak. Engine oil leaks are not only environmentally hazardous--low oil levels can cause serous engine damage.
Disconnect the ground cable from the negative battery terminal, by loosening the retaining bolt with a wrench. Pull the clamp off the terminal.
Pull the oil dipstick from the dipstick tube with your hand.
Place a waste oil collection pan underneath the connection between the transmission oil cooler lines and the radiator. Unscrew the transmission oil cooler line fittings from the radiator, using a line wrench.
Raise the vehicle safely using an automotive jack. Support it with jack stands placed underneath the frame.
Place a waste oil collection pan underneath the drain bolt on the bottom of the oil pan. Unscrew the drain bolt using a socket, and allow the oil to drain from the engine.
Label and disconnect the wires connected to the starter solenoid, using masking tape and a marker.
Unscrew the bolts that secure the starter motor to the engine block, using a socket. Remove the starter motor from the vehicle.
Unscrew the nuts and bolts that secure the head pipe to the exhaust manifold, using a socket and wrench. Slide the head pipe out of the way.
Unscrew the bolts that secure the transmission oil cooler lines to the engine block, using a socket. Slide the lines out of the way.
Unscrew the bolts that secure the oil pan to the engine block. Lower the oil pan away from the engine block and remove it from the vehicle.
Clean the oil pan, using an automotive solvent and allow to air dry. Be sure to remove all the old gasket material from the gasket mating surface.
Clean the gasket mating surface on the bottom of the engine block, using a flat razor blade. Be sure to remove all the old gasket material.
Place a light dab of RTV silicone sealant every two to three inches along the gasket mating surface on the oil pan.
Lay the replacement gasket into position on the oil pan.
Raise the oil pan into position underneath the engine block, using your hand.
Screw in the bolts that secure the oil pan to the engine block, using a socket.
Screw in the bolts that secure the transmission oil cooler lines to the engine block, using a socket.
Slide the head pipe into position at the rear of the exhaust manifold. Screw in the bolts that secure the head pipe to the exhaust manifold using a socket.
Raise the starter motor into position against the engine block. Screw in the bolts that secure it, using a socket.
Reconnect the wiring harness to the starter motor, using the labels you made during disassembly.
Screw the oil pan drain bolt into the bottom of the oil pan, using a socket.
Screw the transmission oil cooler line fittings into the radiator, using a line wrench.
Slide the oil dipstick into the dipstick tube, using your hand.
Lower the vehicle.
Reconnect the ground cable to the negative battery terminal. Slide the clamp over the terminal and tighten the retaining bolt, using a wrench.
Fill the engine with oil according to the specifications listed in the Ranger's owner’s manual.
Run the engine and and check the transmission oil level, using the procedure outlined in the owner’s manual.
