tercel slipped off jack today...:(

[emmahumpfritter]

So here's my stupid question. I was jacking it up on the cross member just behind the oil frain plug, teh car dropped only a couple inches, but the jack hit RIGHT on the drain plug. It looks okay, but noticed that it' sits in an indentation, perhaps pushed up by the jack...or originally like that? It comes off as should and seems to be no harm, but darn it! That was stupid! Did I just deminish my oil carrying capacity by a couple ounces?

BDN

[ARCHINSTL]

As a reply (but not a scolding) - never use the crossmember, as it usually/frequently is at least kinda oily and it is a little convex to boot.
Having typed the preceding - I do use the Xmember for jacking, but put the pronged pad of the jack in/around the center "back raised ridge" of the member so the pad gets a firm purchase on the Xmember - and only raise it enough to get the jackstands under the front mountings for the sway bar.
When you reinstall the plug, it might not be a bad idea to use some silicone sealer in addition to the fibre washer, clean the area well and check it for leaks daily for a while (a crack, while unlikely, may be subtle.
Tom M.

[animeracing]

If you're using a small enough jack, usually a (2-2.25 ton), two of the four raised edges on a circular saddle fit right into the two holes on the crossmember, making for a secure lock-in connection. I don't think I'd use a flat saddle jack on the crossmember without a rubber/urethane pad, and cleaning the crossmember so it won't allow too much slippage.

The indentation you speak of is how it is originally, but the drain plug area can be tough to deal with, so hopefully no leaks occur as a result. Usually just keeping a good gasket on there takes care of things.

I would be more concerned about any cracks/damage around the drain hole itself, since they would get larger and longer with time, and eventually cause a persistent leak, and require pan removal for replacement or repair. If there's no cracks, even if there was some denting from impact, it should be fine.

[takza]

That's one thing I always worry about...just for that reason...so I'm real careful to make sure the jack has a good solid grip.

And the main thing is: DON'T get under the car unless you have at least one extra stand...jack or stack of wood blocks as a safety.

How did I learn this...I watched my Sears trolley jack simply drop down from a lack of fluid...this re-enforced the idea some.

Your oil won't drain so well...but hey...could be worse.

[Petros]

If your oil pan does not leak you will be fine. Even if dented the reduced capacity is insignificant (consider there is over a quart of difference on the dip stick between "full" and "low" marks).

The worst effect is you might not drain quite as much oil out at oil change, but again it would be a very small amount left behind.

If you want to brave it, put a large and long bolt or threaded pipe in the drain plug hole (same size thread as the drain plug) and lever on it (or tap it with a hammer) to pop the drain pan back out. It might even give you a bit more oil capacity.

You risk of course cracking the weld around the drain plug boss, but I might consider trying it.