Hi everyone,

I've been putting it off, but I'm going to need to replace the oil pan gasket on my '95. It was a pretty minor leak, but it finally needs to be done as it's gotten worse. The job looks like a good amount of work, and I'll have to rent and use an engine hoist for the first time.

My question is, if I'm going to go ahead and do this, should I do anything else while I'm in there? Should I just replace the oil pump as well? Maybe the engine mounts removed to do the job? I want to not have to do anything with this for a while.

 

First off let the gang here know what your '95 is,V6 or Z28 LT1?
How many miles on the clock,how long since it's had some basic service parts like a water pump etc.
If you are going in this deep there are many things you might want to service while they are easy to get at.

 

It's a 3.4L. 172k, with new water pump. Timing chain cover was done about 8 years ago, but less than 250 miles since then. Good amount of other work done in the past couple of years, but not really sure what else would be relevant.

 

what's the oil pressure?

 

I'll have to get back to you on that, as I just ordered an oil pressure tester a couple of days ago.

From what I've been reading, the oil pump really shouldn't need to be replaced. I found out that aftermarket motor mounts are considered to be junk, and there are no OEM mounts to buy for the car. It concerns me a bit, as I would have liked to have replaced those while in there since the rubber is probably well past it's "expiration date."

 

I finally got around to testing this after getting a gauge. On startup I'm getting 55 psi oil pressure, at that settles down to 40 psi at operating temperature. 3.4L w/172,000 miles. I haven't been able to find any numbers on what is normal for psi.

I do have some oscillating (needle bouncing 1-2 psi) when the engine is running, but something I watched said this can be a result of pressure loss somewhere, so couldn't that be the leak at the pan gasket?

Also, using a hoist, where is the best place to lift the engine a few inches to get the oil pan out?

 

well if your puling the pan I would consider checking the connecting rod bearings. a jump drop like that can indicate a bad one. I have used threaded holes at the front of heads. but then when I have done this everything was off the front.

 

Reads good pressure and I would not worry about a 1-2 PSIG oscillation, normal I've seen.
Generally, 10 PSIG for every 1K RPM's.
No, you're not going to lose oil pressure due to a leaky pan gasket.

 

I've already done the hard part on this before the most recent replies, and rented the hoist/lifted the engine and replaced the gasket. The problem I'm having is with the front corner pan studs/reinforcements/nuts. You're supposed to torque the front corner nuts to 24 lb ft. But, when trying to do that the first time it ended up bending one stud somewhat. Never got a click for 24 lb, though I've had no trouble getting the torque right anywhere else. I tried it on the other front side nut, and I can get a click at 15 lb ft, but not past that. Now I've had to get new front studs, and I'm afraid of bending the studs/not getting the torque specified.

 

Maybe the torque spec is 24 IN/LBS rather than 24 FT/LBS?