adam c

iTrader: (2)

Hi Guys,

My car has a bad oil pan seal. It doesn't seem to leak when I drive the car. I fact, it doesn't seem to leak unless the car is parked for several hours, or overnight. I am guessing that once the oil drains into the pan, it fills the pan to (or above) the level of the seal. Then when the car cools off, oils seeps a little thru the bad seal.

In the past I have always filled the oil to the full mark. A little would leak out after a short time, and I would fill it again ...... maybe 1/2 quart every two tanks of gas.

This time I decided not to fill it. The oil level is just a hair under the 1/2 way point on the dipstick, and has not gotten lower. I'm thinking that the oil level in the pan is higher than the seal when the pan is full.

Does anyone know if this is true?

Thanks, Adam

adam c

iTrader: (2)

OK, how about this:

Does anyone have an oil pan (not dented) that is off the engine right now. If someone has one, and would check to see how many quarts of water will fill it when it is level, that would be really helpfull. Once we know that, maybe we could get someone who is changing their oil to put that much oil in the engine, and let us know where comes up to on the dipstick.

Does that sound like a good plan??

mgoddard1

I believe you are correct that when the dipstick reads full the oil level is at the seal level.I had the same problem and instead of using a gasket I just used black RTV silicone and now my car no longer drips oil. When I had the oil pan off I noticed that the dipstick only protrudes about an inch past the block.

adam c

iTrader: (2)

I don't have my car with me today, but thats good info. I wonder where one inch above the end of the dipstick reads on the dipstick? Full??

Can anyone verify the EXACT distance that the dipstick extends below the level of the block.

Thanks, Adam