Oil pan gasket

[4babycar]

Ok, I have been putting this off for too long and the weather is starting to get warm enough to spend several hours under the car in the driveway, provided it stops raining for more than a day. Anyway, I need to replace my oil pan gasket. I have read the many posts and procedures regarding replacing the whole pan but is it possible to replace the gasket without removal of the pan? If it is possible, is it any less PITA? Also, is there any advantage to replacing the dented pan with a spare that I have, just to get rid of the dent? Thanks.

[So Cal Mark]

I don't see how you could replace the gasket without removing the pan. It'd be like taking a shower without getting undressed. An undented pan could be a plus, if the dent is against the oil pickup it could restrict oil flow into the pickup

[4babycar]

I was thinking that it may be possible to slide the gasket over the side of the pan and then through a series of rotations, etc. that it may be possible to gain enough clearance around the flange to flip it over the edge. I am sure it is just a pie-in-the-sky dream to have it work out but I will play with the gasket and extra pan that I have to see if it is conceivable. I just thought I would ask the collective intelligence here as well.

If I do choose to replace the pan, should I remove the baffles? I have read that you must do so in order to be able to replace without dropping the cross member but I have also read other instructions that don't mention it either.

[fiasco]

Don't the bolts go through the lip on the pan, then through the gasket, then into the block? You won't be able to get the gasket in without removing all the bolts. I guess you could take all the bolts out and hold the pan up in the air, just shy of the block and then slip the gasket between the pan and the block and reinstall the screws.

I'm not sure what you would gain by doing that, but you would not get a chance to check the oil pickup to make sure it's in good shape (which you should probably do since you have a dent in the pan). Nor would you get a chance to clean any gunk off the mating surfaces (which you should do to ensure a good seal between the gasket and the mating surfaces and avoid future leaks). Nor would you get a chance to put any kind of gasket sealer between the gasket and the surfaces (which you should do to ensure the most leakfree possible connection).

All that to say that you should just remove the pan. And as long as you have the pan off, you might as well replace it with the good one. I don't think you should have to drop the crossmember, but I'm not sure. I did mine with the engine out of the car.

-- se