HAS ANYONE CHANGED OIL PAN GASKET ONLY without Removing the PAN?

[AcuraNSX]

Hello Everyone,

I read the Wiki article on the oil pan removal and did a search for oil pan gasket changes. Unfortunately, I couldn't find any post on the feasibility of lowering the oil pan just enough to be able to pull the old gasket off and replace it with a new one without removing surrounding structures. Has anyone done this? If so, I and maybe other prime users would love to know as I am sure our gaskets tend to go bad eventually....btw, I have a 91 Automatic. Thanks everyone!

 

[GG Performance]

Hello Everyone,

I read the Wiki article on the oil pan removal and did a search for oil pan gasket changes. Unfortunately, I couldn't find any post on the feasibility of lowering the oil pan just enough to be able to pull the old gasket off and replace it with a new one without removing surrounding structures. Has anyone done this? If so, I and maybe other prime users would love to know as I am sure our gaskets tend to go bad eventually....btw, I have a 91 Automatic. Thanks everyone!

I've read that you have to remove the exhaust section that is beneath the oil pan. You should remove the oil pan completely, clean off all the residue of the old gasket on the block and the pan itself. It would be a good idea to clean the inside of the pan to get rid of any gunk that's been built up for 28 years

 

[drew]

>I couldn't find any post on the feasibility of lowering the oil pan just enough to be able to pull the old gasket off and replace it with a new one without removing surrounding structures.

It would be near impossible. Much less effort to just remove the exhaust and other little bits to get to the oil pan. It really isn't a big deal.

>Has anyone done this?

Extremely unlikely.

 

[goldNSX]

Why does the OP try it without removing the header an report back so we all know in the end. You loose nothing if you have to remove the header also. I'm interested in this as well.

 

[Larry Bastanza]

There is no way to change the oil pan gasket without removing the header and oil pan. The oil pickup tube is too long and hangs too low to get the gasket properly positioned.

JMO,

HTH,
LarryB

 

[AcuraNSX]

Thanks Larry! Your knowledge and experience is ALWAYS appreciated by most of us here on nsxprime.

There is no way to change the oil pan gasket without removing the header and oil pan. The oil pickup tube is too long and hangs too low to get the gasket properly positioned.

JMO,

HTH,
LarryB

 

[BATMANs]

Having done a handful of oil pan gasket this is the best practice that I have used:

1. after removing all of the old gasket, use brake cleaner to remove any and all oil residue on both surfaces.
2. Once dried, apply liquid gasket
3. tighten 50%
4. Let it cure overnight - 24hrs is best
5. tighten all the way the oil pan bolts
6. fill with oil


Don't ever fill oil up before the gasket is fully cured or it will leak - most common reason why they leak from the factory if they use a sealant gasket.

 

[Larry Bastanza]

I have to disagree in regard to the gasket sealant. In the case of the NSX oil pan gasket, no liquid gasket. It MUST go on dry, if you want it to last and be well sealed. I have seen so many of these that had sealant during install, begin leaking within a year. The service manual process for the gasket replacement does not mention about sealant either.

The most important thing is the tightening sequence of the 22 fasteners, and the tightness. Interestingly the torque spec in the 1991 service manual is 10 ft.lbs., but I do not use that method. When tightening the bolts in the proper sequence, I monitor the gasket to insure the gasket is crushed just so it aligns with the edge of the pan, evenly around the entire pan.

JMO,
LarryB

 

[BATMANs]

I have to disagree in regard to the gasket sealant.....

For my engine build I used gasket sealant and so far no leaks with 25k miles on it.

 

[Larry Bastanza]

For my engine build I used gasket sealant and so far no leaks with 25k miles on it.

Glad it is sealing well. What sealant product did you use?

 

[BATMANs]

Glad it is sealing well. What sealant product did you use?

I wish I knew the brand.

It was the same one that was used on this other engine project for some guy that bought 2 used indy V8 engines.

One of the engine was for his boat.

I figured that if whatever is good enough for his 14,000RPM engine in a salt water environment then it's good enough for my NSX.

A rational approach?

 

[Larry Bastanza]

Based on your results, yes a rational approach....