Oil pan slightly leaking.. what to do?

**JehalinTA** · 02-27-2009, 03:42 PM

Ok so my oil pan has a slight leak around the gasket (at least thats what it looks like). I checked my chilton's manual for gasket replacement and it seemed like a pretty time consuming job. (my first priority is a slipping clutch). wondering what you guys suggest. It's not a major leak and I am not a fan of the no leak additives. is the replacement a pretty difficult task or is it not too bad. Or should i just add oil when needed and not worry about it.

**00z28bubba** · 02-27-2009, 03:45 PM

well seeing as how the clutch is more of a problem then take care of that first. how much of a leak like about a qt between oil changes?? more than that or less than that?? depending on your answer that will show the severity of the situation.

**JoshieDoom** · 02-27-2009, 03:55 PM

I do believe when the trans is out that you can get to the pan easily to replace it.

**lonewolf37** · 02-27-2009, 09:52 PM

No matter what you do replacing the Pan Gasket is a PITA. If you do replace it, use a felpro gasket and do not over-tighten the nuts. Use a torque wrench, and carefully tighten them to factory specs.
If it is not too bad, I would leave it until you have something else to do which requires removal of the engine.
A little absorb all on the floor of the garage is no big deal.

**fxgs** · 02-27-2009, 10:56 PM

Originally Posted by JehalinTA

wondering what you guys suggest. It's not a major leak and I am not a fan of the no leak additives. is the replacement a pretty difficult task or is it not too bad. Or should i just add oil when needed and not worry about it.

Get it fixed whether you do it yourself or take it to a shop............it's only going to get worse.

**INMY01TA** · 02-28-2009, 01:43 PM

Is it coming from the front of the pan where it meets the timing cover?

**tbias** · 02-28-2009, 04:51 PM

well in that case it may not be to bad. Id guess that its coming from the the area where the timing cover meets the oil pan right? If thats the case pull the cover off back out the oil pan bolts halfway or so and apply some rtv silicone in the corners then put her back together. changing the oil pan gasket is a job for the shop imo. a clutch swap isn't too bad of a job though.

**01ws6er** · 02-28-2009, 05:55 PM

Garrr...I just took my car out for it's first spin in 5 months after finally getting it back together and I noticed a little oil leak in that area too. I should have put rtv in there

**Danger731** · 02-28-2009, 07:18 PM

It takes a while but it isn't to bad a job. Try it on a 91 third gen, that was a biotch.

I can't imagine it's the gasket. I'd power wash the bottom then put it on a lift to be sure. Those stock gaskets ain't no joke.

**01ws6er** · 02-28-2009, 07:37 PM

Originally Posted by Danger731

It takes a while but it isn't to bad a job. Try it on a 91 third gen, that was a biotch.

I can't imagine it's the gasket. I'd power wash the bottom then put it on a lift to be sure. Those stock gaskets ain't no joke.

Fel Pro gaskets. I'm guessing it's in the corners where oil pan and front cover meet... I've lterally been working on my car for 8-10 hours a day or more for the past month (on weekends) and after I took it for the first test drive today I was so tired I didn't even feel like looking for a leak.

**JehalinTA** · 03-03-2009, 09:35 AM

Im not exactly sure where its leaking... between the rack and pinion leak and the oil leak I am not 100% sure. It seems like it is right above the oil fiter around the oil pan. It is a very slow leak.. I dont have to add oil... it hardly leaves and spots on the garage floor. I might just wait till it gets worst. Time is an issue and the clutch itself seems like a time consuming job. Thanks for you input.. Why is it a shop job... my concern with that is that the shop will ask a very large amount for labor. the stealership wanted 700-1200 just for labor on the clutch. I only call them to humor myself on how much they charge.