proper oil pan installation

[chmercer]

i had my pan off to get a return bung welded in, and ive re installed the damn thing twice and both times its leaked oil (like a lot). the car wont leak oil when its cold, but as the oil warms up it starts to drip out. if i drive it around and get it even hotter it begins to stream out. im going to take it off for the third time this week but i really want to know exactly the right way to install this thing because im ing sick of taking it off (such a pain in the ***) so any help would be appriciated.

im using permatex ultra grey liquid gasket.i cut 2 notches off the top of the bottle, i used a medium sized bead i guess. i put it in the pan groove obviously, and went around the back of each bolt hole. i used a wire wheel to clean off all the old gasket from the pan surface, and a razor and brake cleaner to get the stuff off the bottom of the block/timing cover. i couldnt find a torque number on the oil pan bolts so i just snugged them down with a 1/4" ratchet. not super tight or anything.

questions - -should i circle all the way around the bolt holes? or only on the side closest to the inside of the pan?-should i just put a crapload of gasket on and have it goosh out everywhere? i dont care if it looks nasty as long as it seals. is it possible to screw somthing up by using too much gasket?-is there a proper order to putting in the bolts, similar to how there is a picture with the bolts numbered on the valve cover? i couldnt find one in the fsm so i just kindof made up a star pattern type thing when i was putting them in the last time.-should the torque be progressive, like 5 ft lbs on left side, 5 right, then 10 left, 10 right, or somthing like that?-should the bolts be retorqued after the gasket dries or somthing?

please, any help with this, if i have to pull the oil pan 4 times in one holiday i think i will gun myself down.

[emperor_lunchbox]

If you have that "how to rebuild" video there is some good info there, but I don't remeber what it is. It sounds very similar to what I saw in the video. You may want to try letting the liquid sit longer.

Is it possible that you have too much oil in the car?

[chmercer]

only put in 4.5 quarts. i let the gasket cure for almost a day before i put oil in

[david200095367]

get a felpro gasket from kragen. i used that and the gasket maker. i have no leaks.

[WDRacing]

I used Orange RTV, let it sit for 4 hours and had no leaks...ever. I applied it to the entire surface(that was very clean on both the pan and block) of the pan. Upon install you want to have sealant squish out at the seams. I've used this method on every motor and gearbox I've ever installed. To include the H-60 Blackhawk helicopter and have never run into problems. Cleaning both mating surfaces is very key to having anything seal properly. Hope that helps you out.

WD

[GEO]

4.5 quarts? whhaattt?!?!

[9sec240]

check your pan to see if its bent from removal.. Put it face down on a flat surface and make sure the flange is touching everywhere... The silicone bead should be run to the inside of all the bolt holes... be carefull not to accidentally scrape some of the RTV off when your trying to squeeze it between your K member and your motor... Double check your return line too...

[Craving4Boost]

4.5 quarts? whhaattt?!?!

[david200095367]

i think the book only calls for 3.96 qts. so 4 should do the trick.

[GEO]

BTw, they make cork oil pan gaskets for us now.. go pick one up at autozone
Modified by GEO at 11:54 AM 3/18/2006

[Iamjohnhayes]

dont use a liquid gasket that contains silicone it will destroy your oil pump

[srdrps13]

im having the same problem on my sr oil pan... used a liquid silicon gasket thing and still have a minor oil leak. im gonna get a sheet of cork paper and make my own gasket with reinforced liquid gasket.. should work.

[Nismo_Freak]

dont use a liquid gasket that contains silicone it will destroy your oil pump

Nissan uses that from the factory, and calls it out in the FSM. I doubt it is harmful to your oil pump.

[98240]

When I did my oil pan I cleaned it really good. I used the grey gasket maker and i put a good size bead all the way around it then used my finger to spread it out/make sure it was equal thickness all the way around.

[180sx]

YAH ....did u use torque wranch to tighten them bolts ? i did my timing cover 2-3 times on one ka cuz i didn't have torque wrench ...and fell pro cork gasket is good stuff , just torque it right.

[Iamjohnhayes]

Nissan uses that from the factory, and calls it out in the FSM. I doubt it is harmful to your oil pump.

they use a liquid gasket but it does not contain silicone. i know its is known as elaphant snot by machines shops and engine builders. and silicone has a tendancy to break of and if it gets into the oil pan it will get sucked up and seize the gears in the oil pump. My teacher who has owned a machine shop for about 25 years now was actually the one who enlightened me.