Oil Pan Gasket

[sroney]

I just had the oil changed on my 2000LS (~140K MILES). I have noticed some oil spots on the floor, so I asked the tech to see if he could tell where the leak was. He said it appeared to be the oil pan gasket. The pan is wet, and the bolts all have oil on them. (I have not checked yet to see if they are possibly loose)

So when I get home, I check the manual to see how difficult it will be to replace the gasket. What a beast.

Why do they make you take half of the front end off just to remove the oil pan?

I thought my Saturn was bad by requiring the exhaust pipe to be disconnected. But to have to take off the serpentine belt, ac compressor, ball joints, engine mounts, etc., etc.

Does all of this REALLY have to be done to replace this gasket?

[richtazz]

If your car has the 3.4 engine, there is an o-ring seal on the oil pump drive housing that will leak down the block and appear to be either a rear main seal leak or oil pan leak. It is a very common problem with the 3.4 (and 3.1 engines). IT is located in the center of the "V" of the block, under the throttle body (which has to be removed to gain access to change the o-ring).

[sroney]

Richtazz,

Thanks for the input. My impala has the 3.8L.

After reading the manual, it just seems like a lot of trouble for an oil pan gasket.

Thanks again.

[richtazz]

yeah, the 3.8 is most likely the oil pan gasket. It is more difficult than it should be to replace, that's for sure.