Hello,
I’ve tried searching the forums and the net for this but can’t find a definitive answer. I have a 2003 Discovery and need to replace the oil pan but it seems like there are 2 different kinds, steel and aluminum, when I go to my local dealer they only show 1 kind, aluminum, I stuck a magnet to the pan and it doesn’t stick so must be aluminum, Autozone told me to look at the 8th number on my VIN to see if it’s a 6 or a 4 to determine what mine came with, why is the dealer only showing the aluminum and will both fit my truck?

 

I am almost sure that all Discos came from the factory with the aluminum oil pan. That is probably why the dealer only shows the aluminum one. The steel oil pan is probably an after market and I would be leery of using one.

 

Just out of curiosity, why do you have too replace the oil pan? Was it hit by something or the drain plug thread stripped.

 

Maybe someone put a D1 pan on there. I'm pretty sure my 96 had a stamped steel pan.

 

yah, i did an oil change the other day and noticed these metal shavings in the threads of the plug and now the pan wont hold any oil, i tried a new plug just to see, but same problem, dealer wants $497 for a new pan but i found one on ebay that seems to be in good shape for $90, just not sure why Autozone shows 2 motors for this truck in there system and why there are steel and aluminum pans

 

get a larger oil pan bolt from another car or truck and recut the threads w a tap that will cost $20.00 w/ a new bolt and tap.If you use the tapping grease you wont even have to take the oil pan off as the grease will catch all the debrea

 

They show 2 different engine because there are 2 different engines.
There is the SAI engine and non SAI engine.
There is also the 4.0 and the 4.6.
All DII's came with a cast aluminum oil pan, DI's came with a steel oil pan.
All DII's use the same oil pan, all DI's use the same oil pan.

If you chase the threads in the pan you might beable to use that pan.

 

Spike, thanks for the info, you would think the dealer would have known that

 

The dealer only knows what the computer tells them, same thing with the auto parts store.
The guy selling parts at the dealer probably sold VW parts 3 months ago and will be selling Chevy parts next year.