I dont know if this is stock, but there is a plate on the bottom of my oil pan screwed on with two bolts,iol seems to be leaking out from there. Not too much. Just ehough to cause a few drips. But before I tear into it i figured I would make a post and see if anyone has had the same problem. Ill post some pictures sometime to show you what Im talking about. Has anyone had this problem? If so how did you fix it?

get oil plug seal first, its only few dollars and even if dont fix the problem youve eleminated 1 thing and only spent a few bucks

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93 Ranger XL 2.3 15" wheels 5 speed trany

I already did that, I got a new oil plug and the plastic/rubber seal on it.

that sounds weird. Did someone try to cover a hole?

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SOLD:'05 2wd Ranger xl with the 3.0
MODS-Alpine head unit, throttle cable mod, Black Rock wheels, FX4 lvl II axle swap, pooleo's camo painted bezel and mustang dome, painted/aftermarket headlights/tails fold-a-cover and over 100 hp in stickers

'86 AMC Eagle and '01 Grand Prix GTP

I dont know. I figured I would see if anyone else had seen this before I tear into it. Im afrad that if I tear into it i'll have to drop my oil panand get a new one because I dont want to deal with a weld or anything. Maybe I can continue to jerry rig it with a better seal if infact it is someones f*** up. Ill try to snag a picture of it as soon as I have a day off.

The plate there in the picture behind the oil plug.

and those are what were sitting on the inside of the plate... lose and all....

Any ideas?

mines doing the same thing, not enough to drip but its covered in oil already and I just cleaned it a few weeks ago

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1997 2.5l
5 speed reg cab
2wd
short bed
green/white
3 in body lift 33' mudstar tires

I'm having the same deal, about 1/4 cup of oil under the truck every morning, seems to be more oil on the outside of the pan then inside. Going to pressure wash the sht out of the bottom tomorrow with some Dawn detergent and try to pinpoint where it's coming from. guy i bought the truck off of (about a week ago) said his father in law (probably in his 70's) just put new oil in and thinking he didn't drain any previous oil. some oil on top of the engine finally burnt off after a few hours of driving. new to this site and will be uploading quite a few pics to show my problems, not to smart in engine mechanics either but that's why i pay for internet.

I'm goin to start off by saying I'm no expert at all but I will say that I don believe that plate is stock. I don't have one on my truck but I also got mine used so there could be some discretion to used on that matter. Are the holes that the plate is bolted to stock or have they been tapped? I know on my truck I had an oil plug leak but the plug had been tapped so I had to get a aluminum washer to put on it. If the plate isn't stock I would wait for your next oil change to investigate more. As to what you do from your discovery will be a matter of cost vs. practicality. But if I were to do it any repair I can make I would to maintain the function and appearance of my vehicle. Hope this helps

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If I can do more with four I've done it right!

1995 Ford Ranger ext cab
2.3l 4 cylinder
5 speed manual
Modifications: oh the plans I have!

I bought what turned out to be a sadly neglected 93 2.3 5 speed.
When I crawled under and looked around before buying, I saw the usual small drops
of oil on various places near the back of the pan, but no drips on the ground.
I got it home and changed oil, and the next morning there was a 3' puddle of oil
under the back of the engine. Hard to tell where it was coming from.

Cleaned it off and watched, was coming from between the engine and trans, so I thought rear main seal.

Truck had been sitting nose down in a slanted driveway. That was why it didn't "show" there.

Pulled the trans, the seal was fine. The leak was coming from between the pan and the bottom of the rear seal retainer, at the bottom of the "curve". Sort of looked like somebody had been jacking with it, black silicone at the rear of the pan rails by the rear seal retainer / cap. But there was at least a 1/8" gap between the pan and the seal retainer. Not having the equipment to pull the motor where I'm at (1700 miles from home on a power plant project), I had to come up with something to try to stop the leak.

First, I snugged the pan bolts, but be careful not to over tighten!

To seal that gap, I sprayed it out real good with carb spray after draining enuf oil out of the pan so the oil level was below that gap. Then dried it with "canned air" like you use to clean dust out of a computer. Did that 2 or 3 times, letting it dry good even after blowing the carb spray out.

Then took some red hi temp silicone and squeezed into the gap - couldn't see for sure but it seemed th gap was maybe as much as 1/4" or more deep. Filled the gap, working it in good, and let it dry. Then the next day put another layer over the top.

So far no more leaks. (!)

With 80k miles on the truck, I put in a new clutch & t/o bearing and pilot bearing when I had the trans out. Sanded the flywheel with a sanding block and fine emery paper, it was OK.

Rock Auto online is a very good place to buy parts, the clutch stuff was nearly 1/4th cheaper than A Zone, even with shipping, and I got the parts clear out in Vegas in just 4 days.

I have the same problem. I have a 1994 Ranger 2.3L. Behind the oil plug is the same plate cover and two small screws holding it in. I believe this is the transmssion inspection cover (yes, on the oil pan). Once you remove the "plate," there is a large bolt that seems to be holding the oil pan to the transmission. I too have a little oil leaking from this plate and it is getting worse. This is not an aftermarket plate and the screw holes were not "tapped" by the aftermarket. Has anyone provided any other details as to what this is and how to keep oil from leaking thru?

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This looks identical to my 1994 Ranger 2.3l XL. I too leak from this "plate." If you find a fix, please share!

I just pulled my engine and put in another one.

I replaced all the gaskets on it.

Im getting that same leak at what you all are talking about.

I am afraid that I ll have to pull it once more to see =/

Has anyone solved there problem? I am new to FRF and have recently bought a 92 ranger. I have the same leak as Saithin. When I drive the truck it seems like it is leaking out and then can park it and after it sits and cools for a while it stops dripping. Seems to only leak when it is drivin.
The plate (transmission access?) on the bottom is missing and is open.
I cannot tell where it is leaking because by the time i park it has covered the bottom. Whipe it off and still hard to tell.
Is this a bad seal or gasket somewhere?

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1992 Ford Ranger, Reg. Cab 2WD
4 cyl, 2.3L, 5 spd. w/ A/C
126,000 miles.

Hate to bring back a dead thread, but I am having the same issue. A leak and a missing plate or inspection cover, or whatever it is. Tried searching but no luck.
Maybe when can solve this, 2.5 years later.
Anyone have any other ideas?
Oil leaks suck! LOL

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1996 Ford Ranger
Ext Cab XLT
2.3 L SOHC
145,000 miles