98 4.0 oil pan removal

[13kidd]

I Have a couple spots around the oil pan where oil is making its way out so its time for a new gasket. I've heard some people say I have to pull the entire engine out while others say you can just unbolt the motor mounts and lift the engine a little and can remove it, so can I get away with just jacking up the motor to remove my oil pan? And if not what would the cost be to take it to a shop and have it done?

 

[RonD]

2WD is easier that 4x4.

You can lift the engine about 3"-4" by removing motor mounts.
Is that enough to swap out oil pan gaskets?
Up to you really and how much you can do in tight spaces

You can't usually get the oil pan out because of the oil pump pickup and flywheel so all cleaning of surfaces to remove old gasket must be done in the tight spacing.

There is no internal pressure on the oil pan gasket, in fact there should be negative pressure inside the oil pan area if PCV system is working correctly.
So lowering the pan a bit and adding a bead of silicone can often seal up small slow leaks.
If you want to replace the gasket I would pull out the engine, and also replace front and rear main seals.

To test if PCV system is working pull out dip stick and start engine.
Put a sheet of toilet paper over dipstick tube, slight negative pressure should hold TP to tube opening, if so PCV is working, if TP is pushed away then it is not working and will cause oil leaks in valve cover and oil pan gaskets

 

[13kidd]

2WD is easier that 4x4.

You can lift the engine about 3"-4" by removing motor mounts.
Is that enough to swap out oil pan gaskets?
Up to you really and how much you can do in tight spaces

You can't usually get the oil pan out because of the oil pump pickup and flywheel so all cleaning of surfaces to remove old gasket must be done in the tight spacing.

There is no internal pressure on the oil pan gasket, in fact there should be negative pressure inside the oil pan area if PCV system is working correctly.
So lowering the pan a bit and adding a bead of silicone can often seal up small slow leaks.
If you want to replace the gasket I would pull out the engine, and also replace front and rear main seals.

To test if PCV system is working pull out dip stick and start engine.
Put a sheet of toilet paper over dipstick tube, slight negative pressure should hold TP to tube opening, if so PCV is working, if TP is pushed away then it is not working and will cause oil leaks in valve cover and oil pan gaskets

Thanks for all the info! I will definitely check to make sure my PCV system is working correctly before I start tearing into things.

 

[adsm08]

I agree with Ron. It is possible to do the gasket in the vehicle, however by the time you are that far in you have very little left to getting the engine out completely, and having done it both ways I don't feel the extra work saved to leave the engine part way in warrants the extra headaches that come with it.

The exception to that is if an engine crane is not available and you are jacking the engine up with a jack.