The lwr cover is there for the protection, and too keep the lwr end clean
from dirt ,water,etc.. I too did not like the small hole cover, so i pulled
the hole cover off and then I just took a small hand saw and cut the hole
out so it is now squar more less, and cleaned up the edges.. This way I
stilll get some protection from the lwr large cover.and the oil filter is
now a piece of cake to remove along with less mess.
----- Original Message -----
From: steve preston <steve239dak@yahoo.com>
To: <dakota-truck@dakota-truck.net>
Sent: Monday, September 02, 2002 9:07 PM
Subject: DML: 4.7L Oil "access" cover,skidplate,etc. etc.
>
> Hey! Changed my oil today. Didn`t have time to get a
> Mopar filter like I normally use,so I looked through
> the Fram selection at Walmart,since I was there for
> Mobil 1 anyway. Gee whiz. They had about 3 1/2 google
> Fram filters for my Dak. They had,let`s see......
> economy guard,nominal guard,double guard,super
> guard,extra super guard,premium guard micron flow
> turbo,etc..... And they all ended with "16",which made
> them at least kinda easy to find on the shelf. So I
> decided the next to the cheapest one was at least OEM
> quality,and I bought that one. ANYWAY,I started
> changing the oil. I removed the skidplate,and took the
> fist-sized round plug out of the access cover. I was
> going to do it just like the factory intended for it
> to be done. Messed around with it for twenty minutes
> or so,then I pulled the whole shroud down out of there
> again,just like last oil change. This time I`m not
> putting it back. Think I`ll leave the skidplate
> off,too. Does anyone know what the purpose is for that
> access panel,why they didn`t just leave the underside
> of the engine uncovered to begin with like all other
> Daks? Are they afraid the power steering hoses might
> get dusty on a 4.7? At first,I wondered whether that
> shroud was necessary for proper engine cooling,but it
> doesn`t seem to be related to the fan at all. Oh well.
> Best to leave it off if you don`t know what it
> does,IMHO! Steve P.
>
> =====
> 2001 Dodge Dakota 4X4 Sport RC,Flame Red/4.7L V8/45RFE auto/3.92
limited-slip/16" aluminum wheels/Infinity CD-cassette system.
>
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