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How to replace an oil pan gasket

By Tom Morr, automedia.com
Difficulty: Easy
Estimated time: 60 minutes

Replacing a leaking oil pan is one of the best ways to ensure your engine is receiving the oil it needs, and it can sometimes be done in a matter of a few simple steps. For the lucky few, the source can be a loose oil-pan drain plug, a dipstick tube that’s come unseated from the engine block, or an oil filter that’s either not screwed down or has a cracked gasket.

Detect oil leaking from an oil pan
To trace oil leaking from an oil pan, begin by cleaning the engine with a degreaser, possibly at the self-service car wash. When external oil reappears, follow the trail to its highest point. Hopefully, the culprit will be one of the offenders listed above. If the evidence leads to the top of the oil pan, however, the solution will be more labor intensive.

Installation of oil pan gasket replacement
A service manual is a valuable resource when removing the oil pan. Other parts and brackets might need to be removed first to access the pan and its bolts, the locations of which are illustrated in the manual. Vehicle-specific procedures will also be described in the manual, such as if the crankshaft needs to be rotated before the pan will come out. Also read the instructions that come with the oil pan gasket replacement to see what, if any, sealers and chemicals the job requires.

The steps here show oil-pan gasket replacement on a front-wheel-drive car. The job is somewhat straightforward, but it can be messy. Be conscientious of a few potential pitfalls: Try not to bend the oil pan when removing it. Attempting to pry the pan loose with a screwdriver can bend the mounting surface. Tapping it with a mallet can actually crack the pan if all bolts aren’t out. (Double-check the bolt count and locations in the manual if the pan doesn’t release easily.) Once the oil pan is off the vehicle, check it for metal shavings to reveal other potential problems. Also clean all sludge out of the pan and inspect for cracks before reinstalling it.

  • Oil pan gasket replacement

    Step 1: Obtain the appropriate oil pan gasket replacement. Gasket materials vary depending on what types of metals they’re intended to seal. Name-brand gaskets come with any necessary sealants.

  • Splash shield and bellhousing cover removed while oil is draining

    Step 2: While the oil is draining, remove the splash shield and bellhousing cover.

  • Oil pan mated to transaxle in front wheel drive vehicle

    Step 3: In front-wheel-drive vehicles, the oil pan is often mated to the transaxle. Other accessories such as exhaust-manifold support and air-conditioning bracketry might need to be detached too.

  • Identify all oil pan bolt locations

    Step 4: A service manual helps identify all oil-pan bolt locations. Some might be obscured behind other parts.

  • Remove the wheel well liner pieces for access to bolts on the outboard passenger side

    Step 5: Removing the wheel-well-liner pieces eased access to the outboard passenger's side bolts on this vehicle.

  • Install the new oil pan gasket

    Step 6: Once all bolts are removed, the pan can be dropped. If necessary, tap it lightly with a mallet to break the seal.

  • Install new oil pan gasket replacement

    Step 7: Scrape off any gasket residue and clean all sealing surfaces thoroughly with a solvent. Also clean the inside of the oil pan and inspect it for cracks. Then install the new gasket per its instructions. This one uses regular grease to hold it in position.

  • Torque oil pan bolts with thread sealer

    Step 8: Use thread sealer, if specified, then torque the oil pan bolts to spec in a spiral pattern, beginning in the center. Reattach any accessory brackets, refill the crankcase with oil, start the engine and inspect for leaks.