I have an 84 GSL-SE

I noticed there is a slow oil drip under the motor and the oil pan has oil sludge on it.

My first thought is to replace the oil pan gasket but I went on rockauto to try and order one and it wasn't listed?

My question: Is there even a gasket? Or is the pan just tightened to the motor...

 

No dont use a gasket. Instead you use silicone paste (copper high temp or the right stuff works well imho). to ensure that the silicone paste stay, you need to make the pan's face rough by using a coarse grit sandpaper (below 80 grit) and add some dents to using a nail punch or similar.


Btw, just lift the motor for clearance to remove the pan

 

Great thanks!

 

That is a little aggressive.

 

Sorta but the dent is not really big since it is done thru a nail punch. Just an old but reliable way to ensure no oil leak

 

Are you talking about using 'form-a-gasket' or some other product? I'm going to be digging into this soon and want to be sure I'm sealing it properly, because I know Mazda has a gasket part# for the oil pan.

Thanks,

 

You are correct sir, mazda oil pan gasket is available and it is permatex form a gasket, runs a little over $10 at autozone etc.

 

thats where i got mine.

havent attempted a removal yet. when he said "lift the engine" does he mean remove the engine mount bolts too ? i would assume so but rather ask the stupid question than make a stupid mistake

 

Lift the motor at bellhousing, wood block and floor jack and off course remove the front cover bracket. Use a 10mm 1/4" rachet for oil pan bolts and 10mm wrech for oil pick-up tube. While ur at it, modify the ROPR to increase the oil pressure.

 

I used a pan gasket for my TII swap and it worked well, but RTV would have been easier in the end I think.

 

Cool thanks, I'll try it this weekend. Have a link for modifying the ROPR?

 

I'd rather lift the car and unbolt the idler/pitman arm. It doesn't harm the alignment and you can drop the pan without touching the motor at all. Very easy to do.

 

come on..youre making it too easy for him. He needs to figure it on his own lol

 

Don't bother with the Mazda gaskets if you run a baffle plate. They will start to leak from the oil sitting on the top of the baffle. RTV works better and is cheaper.

 

Bear in mind the pan bolts require VERY little torque to re-install!! If you over tighten you will spin the threads out....

Stu Aull
80GS
Alaska

 

+1; way too easy to strip the holes in the front cover & rotor housings if you're not careful.

 

This.

I have heard people talking about shimming some sort of spring but if there is a write up thread that would be awesome