What is this plate on my oil pan???

[Charlie207]

Aluminum is non magnetic. It you live in a cold climate and want to connect a magnetic pan oil warmer then I assume the plate would serve just that purpose.

Can this location easily be reached on a 4x4 model? Others have said it's right above the front diff.

 

[paulwaul1369]

I am curious what this plate is on the oil pan of my 5.3L 2008 Suburban LTZ 2WD.

At first I thought it was some kind of inspection plate but from looking at pics of the inside of the oil pan it doesn't appear to have a hole behind it.

So is it some kind of "skid plate" or is it some kind of reinforcement for the cast aluminum pan? Or???

View attachment 76983

Just kinda curious if anyone knows.

I'm about to find out. I'm changing the oil pump right now. I'm curious to see if it's a quick access to the oil pickup line that bolts to the oil pump. If its not a quick access i guess ill just continue to pull the pan since i already drained the oil. I'll send pics and updates on my findings.

 

[Geotrash]

I'm about to find out. I'm changing the oil pump right now. I'm curious to see if it's a quick access to the oil pickup line that bolts to the oil pump. If its not a quick access i guess ill just continue to pull the pan since i already drained the oil. I'll send pics and updates on my findings.

Nope, not a quick access.

 

[kbuskill]

I'm about to find out. I'm changing the oil pump right now. I'm curious to see if it's a quick access to the oil pickup line that bolts to the oil pump. If its not a quick access i guess ill just continue to pull the pan since i already drained the oil. I'll send pics and updates on my findings.

As mentioned above, unfortunately, not a quick access. Pan is solid on the inside.

 

[donjetman]

No access, I've had my pan off twice.
It may be for an optional oil pan heater/heating element???
Here's what the inside looks like:

 

[j91z28d1]

do the 2wd have the same pan plate?

 

[Tonyrodz]

Maybe @915_Tahoe might know what it's all about.

 

[kbuskill]

do the 2wd have the same pan plate?

Yes, mine is 2wd.

 

[gooffeyguy]

Maybe it had something to do with securing engine when shipping/transporting from the engine plant to the truck plant.

Or maybe when installing the engine to the frame.

Could just be some type of harmonic dampener to stop a NVH (noise/vibration/harshness) when the engine reaches a certain rpm or something

Would be interesting to know

 

[915_Tahoe]

Gm# 12633653
DEADENER, oil pan
$39.24+TX

 

[kbuskill]

Gm# 12633653
DEADENER, oil pan
$39.24+TX

We finally have an answer after all this time.

I wonder if you took it off if it would make any discernable difference?... somehow I doubt it... lol

 

[gooffeyguy]

I'm sure you'll hear something different at some rpm point

 

[tom3]

Might have something to do with the vane type oil pump up front? That could get a bit noisy at certain loads and rpm. Certain engine setups might need it?

 

[paulwaul1369]

I am curious what this plate is on the oil pan of my 5.3L 2008 Suburban LTZ 2WD.

At first I thought it was some kind of inspection plate but from looking at pics of the inside of the oil pan it doesn't appear to have a hole behind it.

So is it some kind of "skid plate" or is it some kind of reinforcement for the cast aluminum pan? Or???

View attachment 76983

Just kinda curious if anyone knows.

Ase

 

[paulwaul1369]

So I took it off and there's nothing but the bottom of the pan. I was hoping for a quick access to the oil pump pickup line bolt but I guess it must be some kind of pointless scrape plate. However.. after dropping the oil pan I found some tings that should have not been there. Check out the pics and see for yourself. Not sure what they came from... any ideas?

 

[paulwaul1369]

I'm about to find out. I'm changing the oil pump right now. I'm curious to see if it's a quick access to the oil pickup line that bolts to the oil pump. If its not a quick access i guess ill just continue to pull the pan since i already drained the oil. I'll send pics and updates on my findings.

Yup. It was what I read on some of the other replies. Just a plate... a scrape plate. Nothing on the other side but the oil pan.

 

[donjetman]

@paulwaul1369
Those pieces look like a lifter "roller" and needle bearings.

 

[Fless]

Yup. It was what I read on some of the other replies. Just a plate... a scrape plate. Nothing on the other side but the oil pan.

It's not a scrape plate; see post #71. It's a dampener to dampen vibration or sound waves.