Oil pan gasket pooch

[89z51l98]

Hi All

At the rear of the pan... the gasket is pooched out where it goes under the bottom half of the rear main seal... Anyone else have this problem? I'm thinking it could have been crankcase pressure that shoved it out. My plan is to loosen the pan bolts enough to push the gasket back in... don't really feel like pulling the engine just to replace the pan gasket...

 

[Ken]

Is it currently leaking? If not, it may be better to leave it alone until you're ready to install a new gasket. Sometimes screwing around with it will make it worse.

Remember the old adage of "If it ain't broke, don't fix it."

 

[89z51l98]

Somethin' is leakin' around there. I had thought it was the rear main but when we had the transmission (ZF with everything to install for sale soon...) out, the crankshaft (just outside the seal surface) is bone dry. The oil pressure (or temp?) sending unit in front of the starter is pretty wet too. Just little maintenance stuff though.

It looks like there is almost enough room to get the oil pan out without removing the engine... has anyone had the opportunity to try?

Is it currently leaking? If not, it may be better to leave it alone until you're ready to install a new gasket. Sometimes screwing around with it will make it worse.

Remember the old adage of "If it ain't broke, don't fix it."

 

[Ken]

Oh yeah, you can pull the pan without pulling the engine. I have a Canton pan on mine, and I pulled it without removing or lifting the engine. It wasn't easy with mine, due to the extra baffling and scraper, but I did it. Good luck!

 

[rrubel]

Replaced the pan with the engine in, on my 86. Tight, esp. with the factory oil cooler, but easily do-able with the car on stands.
[RICHR]

 

[RonJ]

The oil pressure (or temp?) sending unit in front of the starter is pretty wet too. Just little maintenance stuff though.

In front of the starter? Sounds like the knock sensor is passing some coolant.

Ron ...

 

[89z51l98]

Thanks guys!

 

[rrubel]

Oh, if your timing chain is getting near replacement time, do that while you have the pan off because you need to drop it to put the timing cover back on...
[RICHR]