I got oil spilling all over the underside of my car. I already changed the oil cooler and lines but my friend and I think its the oil pan gasket. Is there another way to replace it rather than taking the whole engine out of the motor mounts? I can do it but don't want to.

- kevin

 

You can do it without removing the engine, but those bolts in the front are very close to the engine crossmember...


-Ted

 

Make sure the oil pan gasket is the culprit before you rip the pan off. Remember, there is no "windage" in the oil pan like there is in a piston engine, and therefore no oil being whipped around. The oil in the pan is relatively calm and even if the gasket were leaking, there would be more of a weeping type event than what you describe as "oil all over the underside".

I suggest you first clean the engine area with a pressure wash, then drive a little while to allow the oil to begin leaking. An examination of the engine and engine compartment should then lead to discovery of the actual source of the leak. I would first take a close look and the areas where oil under pressure is near the external surfaces of the engine. This would include among other things, the OMP, the front timing cover on the driver's side, the oil pressure sending unit, the oil filter mount, and the brass plugs located on the end housings (these plugs are pressed into the oil galleries after they are drilled at the factory... the can work out a little and leak). You may also take a look at the engine mount bolts where they go through the oil pan. If these bolts were installed without sealant on the threads they will leak oil.