I need to find the oil pan plug on a 97 ford explorer xlt 5.0 L V8. The oil filter too

If car has high miles, trans wear could cause this. I would try removing 1 quart of new fluid and replace with Lucas trans additive.

The pan is the plug. W car on jackstands not a jack..get a long ratchet bar...proper leverage is the key. Hav a container ready to take any spillage of fluid. Pan can be heavy..get a friend to help..dont rush. Dont overfill

V6 or V8?

V6:
Section 303-01B: Basic Engine - 4.0L SOHC 1997 Explorer/Mountaineer Workshop Manual
IN-VEHICLE REPAIR Oil Pan
Removal

1. Disconnect the battery ground cable.

1. Raise and support the vehicle; refer to Section 100-02 .

1. Remove the oil pan plug and drain the engine oil.

1. Remove the ten oil pan bolts and remove the oil pan (6675).
   • Discard the gasket.

Installation

1. NOTE: All sealing surfaces must be cleaned prior to assembly. Use metal surface cleaner F4AZ-19A536-RA or equivalent meeting Ford specification WSE-M5B392-A to clean the sealing surfaces.
   Position the oil pan and gasket and install the ten retaining bolts.

1. Install the oil pan plug and refill the engine oil.
   • Use 5W30 engine oil meeting Ford specification WSS-M2C153-G.

1. Lower vehicle.

1. NOTE: When the battery is disconnected and reconnected, some abnormal drive symptoms may occur while the vehicle relearns its adaptive strategy. The vehicle may need to be driven 16 km (10 mi) or more to relearn the strategy.
   Connect the battery ground cable.

Hello, it on the side or bottom of the oil pan. The oil pan is the bottom end of the engine. This is were the oil is stored and were the oil pick up the oil for lubrication of the engine. It is a 5/8" plug with a copper or fiber washer. If you are changing the oil make sure that drain plug has it copper or fiber was on it. If not, the plug will leak little droplets. GB...stewbison

Raise the vehicle. Refer to Vehicle Lifting. Place a drain pan under the transmission oil pan. Remove the oil pan drain plug. Remove the oil pan bolts. Remove the oil pan. Remove the gasket. Remove the magnet. Remove the oil filter. Remove the filter neck seal. The transmission oil pan gasket is reusable. Inspect the gasket and replace as needed. Clean the transmission case and the oil pan gasket surfaces with solvent. Install the filter neck seal. Install the oil filter. Install the oil pan gasket to the pan. Install the magnet into the bottom of the pan. Notice: Refer to Fastener Notice in Service Precautions. Install the oil pan to the transmission with seventeen bolts. Tighten the oil pan bolts to 11 Nm (97 inch lbs.) . Apply a small amount of sealant GM P/N 12346004 to the treads of the drain plug. Install the oil pan drain plug. Tighten the oil pan drain plug to 18 Nm (13 ft. lbs.) . Install Dextron Automatic Transmission Fluid. Lower the vehicle.

ok you can take the egr valve off and clean it and if that works you my need to take it to get reset on codes other then that also check vacum lines if these do not work you will have to replace and i hate saying that because this part is high.. good luck to you and have a blessed day..

look under the car. it will be located on the lowest point on the oil pan towards the trans on the side. it should be a 16mm.

this is a plug that was in the trans fill tube when the trans was put together at the factory, when they filled the trans they push the plug into the pan, throw it away.

clean the srea and watch, tracing back to the source. The oil can leak from the front seal, rear main seal,Pan gaske, or come from the top of engine. Chances are greater it's coming from the front because of fan draft. good luck

The oil pump is internal.Unless you can get the oil pan off,you can't do the job.I'd think you'd have to pull the engine on the explorer especially if it's 4x4.Thats a tight fit.Hope this helps!