96 Lumina Sedan NEED OIL PAN REPLACEMENT HELP

[Philo Beddoe]

Hello. I have a 1996 Lumina Sedan. I bought it used about a year ago. I noticed an oil leak so I took it to a dealer, and they told me that I needed some engine seals replaced, that it was a common problem. So I had them do it, payed like $1400 for them to do it. I still noticed oil leaking after that, so I took it back a few months later and they told me that I needed a new oil pan and it was like another $1200. Thats $2600 in repairs, I only paid $3000 for my car. So I got on the internet, and found an oil pan that was only $45 dollars.

I don't know much about vehicles, I don't even change my own oil, but I want to do this myself. Any pointers on replacing an oil pan. I am going to go by a haynes or chilton manual, and I have checked autozone, doesn't look to tough. Any pointers??

[NeonKnight]

Im assuming this is a 3.1... the problem with our cars is that the engine has a crossmember on the bottom of them, making the oil pan nearly impossible to get to without dropping the engine. thats why it cost you so much for them to do the work.

When i had mine done originally a long time ago they dropped the engine and it cost about $400 just to drop it. while you have your engine dropped already, look at your timing belt if its been a while since you last had it replaced force them to throw on another one. it will stop you from having to pay a considerable amount of money later down the road to have it done.

[Philo Beddoe]

Yeah, they told me my serpantine belt was cracked, and that they would replace that for free when doing the oil pan.

Originally Posted by NeonKnight

Im assuming this is a 3.1... the problem with our cars is that the engine has a crossmember on the bottom of them, making the oil pan nearly impossible to get to without dropping the engine. thats why it cost you so much for them to do the work.

When i had mine done originally a long time ago they dropped the engine and it cost about $400 just to drop it. while you have your engine dropped already, look at your timing belt if its been a while since you last had it replaced force them to throw on another one. it will stop you from having to pay a considerable amount of money later down the road to have it done.

[maxwedge]

No timing belt on a 3.1. Usual leaks with these are the dist. oil pump gear drive adapter seal, under the throttle body, never saw an oil pan leak, this is a 2 piece cast aluminum, pan.

[NeonKnight]

the 90 - 94 are the ones that leak from where the Dist used to be. since they are distributor-less cars. i have to check mine and see if thats where i leak from, since i know mine is on the driver side more lol.

[Philo Beddoe]

I took my car in yesterday to get an oil change. I was watching them do it and when they were underneath the car replacing the filter is when the technician saw the leak. I heard him telling the guy up top that there is an oil leak and I watched him wiping oil away with a cloth. A few minutes later, the technician that was working on the top of the bay told me that the leak was my oil pan.... I am clueless...

Originally Posted by NeonKnight

the 90 - 94 are the ones that leak from where the Dist used to be. since they are distributor-less cars. i have to check mine and see if thats where i leak from, since i know mine is on the driver side more lol.

[maxwedge]

Everyone assumes oil dripping off the pan means it's leaking, not so. Have a "real" mechanic clean everthing off and check for leaks starting with clean surfaces. Just by changing the oil and not inspecting normal under hood areas, one cannot diagnose an oil leak this way, just some definitve advice here, not trying to criticize you mechanic.

[richtazz]

Did your dealer itemize your bill on exactly what "engine seals" they replaced? The only thing I can think of that would cost that much is a rear main seal, which would require the replacement of the oil pan gasket too. I agree with Maxwedge, that your leak is the oil pump shaft o-ring. The shaft is located on the top of the block in the center "v" of the engine. When they leak, the oil runs own the side of the block and onto the oil pan. I can do an oil pump drive o-ring in well under an hour, and the part costs $1, so I'd take my car elsewhere to have it looked at.