I've been thinking about tabbing the KDP when the weather gets warmer (I don't drive this truck in the winter so I've got plenty of time) & I happened to remember some years ago (truck had maybe 80K at the time, now 273K) when I was changing the oil I stuck my finger up through the drain in the pan & felt some kind of small object with the tip of my finger, but it rolled/moved to the front of the pan out of reach, so I never found out what the heck it was. Never thought any more about it until I heard about this KDP problem - is there anything within reach of one's finger such as a sump/pickup or anything in that area? Is there anything else beside the dowel pin that could come loose & fall down there? I guess when the weather's warmer I'll just pull the pan off and look, but for now just curious.

Steve

 

i would pull the timing cover and make sure its still in there and also tighten down the bolts that under the cover!

 

Possibly the pin. Do you have oil leak on front of engine?
Just go ahead and take gear cover off and investigate.
Its easier without radiator in the way. Good time to flush it.

 

I've pulled a few strange things out of oil pans with a small rod-shaped magnet.

 

agreed, try to fish whatever it is out with a magnet

 

you gould put a magnet on the bottom of the pan and drag it around to the hole

 

That's just what I was going to suggest. If whatever is in the pan is round it will roll around and you can roll it right over to the hole.

 

No oil leaks - it uses/loses maybe half a quart over 6K miles between oil changes. If by chance the pin has fallen down into the pan, is there any reason to put it back?

I need to replace the radiator because of a small crack in the plastic tank on one side so that might be a good time to pull the gear cover & take a peek. Just curious though as to what it might be - this engine seems very well built & you wouldn't think parts (besides the KDP) would just somehow fall off from up in the crankcase.

Steve

 

While you are there, I would def. give it a look, pin is cheap, less than 3 bucks.

And yea, there are pins that fall out and simply go into the pan, at least for the lucky ones........

 

No oil leaks - it uses/loses maybe half a quart over 6K miles between oil changes. If by chance the pin has fallen down into the pan, is there any reason to put it back?

I feel that there is, it helps hold the weight of the gear housing. If the bolts get loose, and they do, it will hold the housing in the proper position.

Floyd