Oil Pan Installation

[csjohnson2]

Is anyone good with changing oil pans. I am not sure if this is a job I can tackle or not. I have a 1992 grand prix 3.1L V6 automatic (225,000 miles on it! 2nd engine though). There is a lot of oil around the oil pan area. It drips consistently about 5 to 10 drips a day. Looks like maybe a new gasket/sealant? I tried tightening the drain plug, it isn't that. I've done Starters, alternators, belts, spark plugs, etc... Mostly simple things. Don't know if this will be too difficult or not. What is the best way to clean up oil? I was trying acetone. Any suggestions and/or informational resourses would be helpful about this problem. Thanks.

[csjohnson2]

Another question. Does anyone know of any websites or message forums for other than this one? I am just a newbie looking for answers to some basic things on my grand prix I am workin on. This website seems to be geared toward more advanced mechanics. Thanks a bunch!

[Ripn12s]

You might find some help over at www.clubgp.com

Sorry cant help you I dont know shit about the 3.1

[csjohnson2]

Cool, thanks. I am just wondering if I have to take out the automatic trans. and rip out a lot of other stuff to get the oil pan out. Thanks.

[GhostLake]

When I did the oil pan gasket on mine, which is the same year and specs as yours, I checked my Haynes repair manual and it said to remove the transmission if it's an automatic. That sounded ridiculous to me. I took the starter off and tried removing the pan but couldn't get it out. I ended up unbolting the engine/tranny mounts and raised up the engine. This gave me about four inches of space between the pan and engine block. I had the passenger wheel and splash guard(?) off to get easier access to the timing chain I was replacing. This also gave a nice opening to guide the pan gasket through. This method took me and a friend (one underneath the car, and one reaching through the wheel well) to carefully guide the gasket in. I was able to clean the surfaces before installing the gasket, but beware that it is extremely easy to knock crud into the pan and it's hard to remove any old stuck gasket. Couple weeks after doing this I was at the Autozone.com site, which has vehicle specific repair info, and they had yet a different method which looks to be the best. It basically involves removing the power steering pinch bolt, unbolting the engine/tranny mount bolts, then lowering the frame. If that or the remove transmission methods don't sound like something you want to try, you could try my way, though I'd advise against it. It's not the greatest way to do it. Anyway, you have various options. I highly recommend checking out autozone.com.