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I have noticed that my car is getting low on oil towards the end of the oil life cycle. I was looking around on the underneath side of the car & noticed that the oil pan gasket is leaking oil. I plan to replace this when it is time for my next oil change. Is there anything that I should look at or replace while I have the oil pan removed?

Pretty sure the "Gasket" on the aluminum pan is a bead of RTV, so don't go looking for one at the parts store, lol. Wouldn't be a bad time to put some kind of magnet on, or at least a magnetic drain plug. I have one on my car, installed last change, and it'll be interesting to see how much metal is on it when I change the oil.

Just replaced mine on the motor I am rebuilding. Felpro makes them and I got mine from Napa:

http://www.napaonline.com/Search/Detail ... 60+2060004

Ok. I remember Don saying that he uses Gray RTV. Maybe that's in addition to the gasket, or instead. I'll ask him now that I'm thoroughly confused, lol.

Over the weekend I changed the oil pan gasket. Sadly the car is still leaking oil. It appears to be coming from somewhere above the passenger side rear of the engine. I'm thinking valve cover gaskets. There is not anything extra in the oil, such as coolant or anything like that. Is there anywhere else that the oil would be coming from on the back side of the engine? Let me know your thoughts.

Sounds like VC gaskets to me.

Also I bet your rear engine cover gasket is leaking. Mine is, but cant get to it unless trans comes out.

he said passenger side, but it could (very good chance) be the rear engine cover and it is crawling along the pan seam and dripping down that side. probably both valve cover and rear engine gaskets.

According to the mechanic, it's leaking from the sending unit. He is replacing it, because I'm sick of working on my car this month. Hopefully that solves the issue.

Of the 3 SSEis between myself, my brother and a family friend, all 3 of us have had oil leaks from the oil sending units...so apparently not very uncommon. Glad your mechanic got it sorted.

00Beast wrote:Ok. I remember Don saying that he uses Gray RTV. Maybe that's in addition to the gasket, or instead. I'll ask him now that I'm thoroughly confused, lol.

This depends on what I am working on... The Series III uses RTV Gray only, flat surface...

The Series II Aluminum pan has a groove for a gasket much like a valve cover..

The Stamped Pan has a windage tray with an inlaid gasket that should be sealed in a few areas with a dab of sealant..

But yes for sealing a motor, I do like RTV Gray..

Old thread I know, but which pan would I have here? 01 Bonnie SSEI

It has the waffle like bottom.

You have an aluminum pan, structural to the mount.

harofreak00 wrote:You have an aluminum pan, structural to the mount.

I was afraid of the structural part. This means I have the more difficult process correct? I was reading the different threads today on doing this and wasnt sure which would apply.

Yes, you'll need to support the engine from the top in order to be able to remove the bracket bolted to the pan.