change the oil pan gasket

[burchard]

In a camry 95 AT 4 cyl is it absolutely necessary to remove the exhaust pipe to change the oil pan gasket?. Can I only use silicone sealant gasket? Thanks

[yotatechie04]

I do believe that it is necessary to remove the exhaust pipe. I wouldn't recommend using only RTV Silicone sealant on the pan flange. I would recommend getting a gasket and using a small bead of RTV sealant on the oil pan flange to help hold the gasket in place.

[Brian R.]

Toyota recommends a bead of seal packing (Part No. 08826-00080 or equivalent) 3-5 mm in width around the entire circumference of the oil pan. No other seal. The bead runs on the inner side of the bolt holes, the middle of the surface everywhere else. The only exception to the middle of the surface rule is the rear of the pan on the straight side, where the bead is supposed to be 5 mm from the outer edge. The pan must be installed within 5 minutes of application or you clean off all the sealant and do it again. Torque is 48 in-lbs gradually applied around the circumference.

[yotatechie04]

Couldn't have said it near as good myself...well done, Brian.

[Brian R.]

Not a job I'd want to do...

Sounds like you have to be pretty skilled with the sealant.

[yotatechie04]

Yeah, it's almost as if you'd have to be a RTV Silicone master before you could do the job perfect. I mean how in the world could you get a perfect measured bead of sealant placed on the flange the whole way around? I always ended up getting too much, or not enough on it.

[burchard]

Thanks for your input. I knew that it could not be a piece of cake. Sounds like a job for a Toyota dealer. Nevertheless, I tied a bit more the oil pan bolts, and the oil level has not changed since 10 days. I'll keep my fingers crossed so I don't have to spend the $250.