Just curious how tough it is to change the oil pan seal. I have my car apart with cam swap right now, and I tore the seal taking the timing cover off. Its in a spot where I dont think it will leak, its torn at the front drivers side corner of the oil pan, at the very top. I was wondering if I can put it all back together before I change the seal so I wont risk tearing it again putting the timing cover back on (friend of mine tore his putting it back together) and also if it doesnt leak (i think it will, but if by some chance it doesnt) would it be ok to just leave it? Mainly what I want to know is can I change the seal after I put the motor back together, or do I have to have it all apart in order to change it? Thanks in advance.

chris

 

It gets torn because the front of the oil pan seals to the bottom of the timing cover. So the oil pan should be dropped or loosened enough first, before pulling the timing cover.

For re-install, the timing cover goes on, then the oil pan. From what I have read, it is rare for it not to leak if it gets torn (even with generous amounts of RTV).

 

it WILL leak.

I thought the same thing and dabbed up some rtv there before putting it on.. and i lost a quart every week/2 weeks. THe oil would squirt out of that corner where the timing chain cover, block, and oil pan all met, and dripped down and hit my pipes - instantly burning and creating a cloud of smoke behind me. Not fun.

My advice to you, is to order a new oil pan gasket now ($36 i think), and put it in while the car is still on jacks with stuff removed.

Unbolt and pull down the oil pan - you should be able to cut and pull out the old gasket. Then, put on your timing chain cover. Then you slide the new gasket in place (this will be hard because the crossmember will prevent the oilpan from coming down all the way, and you'll have to rotate the crank as you push the gasket in - to get the weights/coutnerweights out of the way so the gasket can make its way all the way down).

Then when you bolt up the oil pan, the timing chain cover will already be on, without having to worry about prying that lip into place. Trust me, you want to do this right - losing and burning oil is NOT fun. Plus, you might burn so much oil without knowing it that your engine could be starved of oil.. and there goes your bearings..

good luck!

 

thanks for the input guys, looks like im taking the old seal off tomorrow.

 

I did my oil pan gasket about 2 weeks ago, dont make the mistake I did. When i lowered pan the low oil level sensor was still in pan and I broke it off, which meant installing a new sensor ( $40.00 ) and having to remove pan to remove broken pieces. Changing the gasket isnt too bad, removing the pan to retreive broken pieces is no fun.