q45 oil pan replacement options

[kingsole]

I appologize in advance fof my lack of mechanical aptitude and inexperience with nico.This is my first post and I'm a new member, but I'm embarrassed to say I've trolled the forum via google for salvation in the past.

Problem at hand: I got the q45 at age 17 and sort of rushed into the purchase without fully assessing the financial stress of maintaining this amazing beast. I couldn't afford to replace the suspension and consequently brought heavy abuse to the oil pan. 5 years later, with the new suspension long since replaced the heavily damaged oil pan now has given way to a hole.

Options:
I was offered a quote at $100 to repair or replace it but according to the forum any remaining dents would effect oil pickup so I'm looking to replace it.I called around for the pan and sniffed around the web but unfortunately found nothing (dealership price is not an option). I do live near a junkyard with several q45s and I'm sure an oil pan would be around, but my mechanical ability is mediocre and I know there's a lot of work involved in removing it.

Best solution?
What id like to know is would the pan be fairly easy to remove (from a pull your own part junker) for someone who's only taken on amature-intermediate projects or is there any reliable place to get a new or used one for relatively cheap?

Vehicles present condition:
Cosmetically the car could use a lot of tlc. The front seats are thrashed and it needs a new paint job. As far as anything electrical or mechanical goes she's in great shape.i ts at 120k miles and runs absolutely flawless. Aside from the fact that its my first car and I've put a lot into it; I've truly come to love the car like only another q45 owner could understand. Needless to say I'll let her go when its key is forcibly removed from my cold dead hands!

[elwesso]

Welcome to NICO!!!! We're glad you're here!

The oil pan isnt' a real easy job. There's some trickery that can be done to make it easier, but it still would not be an easy job. I'm sure someone here would have a used one that you could get. The guys on the VH forums have all kinds of spare parts for these engines.

[Q451990]

to NICO!

Replacement isn't an easy DIY because the cross member that holds the engine has to be removed to access it. I hate to say it, but without an engine hoist and some pretty substantial DIY skills, I think this is a shop-only type of repair. Finding the part shouldn't be too difficult. You can also look for the part at www.car-part.com

Good luck!

Heath

[BCC93QT]

From the sounds of it I think you should let this Q go. There are still some out there in great cosmetic and decent mechanical condition. Given paint, interior, suspension, and your oil pan I would save this one for parts and pick up another Q to combine

If you do replace the oil pan make sure to put a few clear coats on it after replacing. After wire brushing I used Penetrol as a base and VHT Urethane (high temp) on top of that. I doubt I will ever need to replace my oil pan as it is still virtually rust free thanks to the coatings. I have replaced a few oil pans on other vehicles and a bit of preventive maintenance goes a long way.

[Skibane]

the heavily damaged oil pan now has given way to a hole.

Are we talking a small hole, or big one?

A small one might be patchable, without removing the oil pan. (You'd be surprised what you can do with J-B Weld! )

As for the dents - They'd have to be HUGE to significantly affect oil pickup or the capacity of the pan.

[kingsole]

My hopes with the DIY portion was that it wouldnt be too difficult to gut it in whatever primitive fashion necessary. Id strickly be removing the pan from a junkyard Q and then would have it installed by a mechanic friend for $100 labor. Its a very small hole but the dents in the pan are pretty significant. As I said the old suspension was completely shot so it took alot of abuse. I can't see myself letting it go now that I've already addressed suspension, belts, boots, radiator, clutch fan, alternator, starter, all new speakers and head unit, new fuel lines, tires, spark plugs and motor mounts (all within the last 3 years). Praying my fuel pump doesn't fail me, All that's really left is cosmetic improvements I can do myself once this oil pan issue is conquered.

[Q451990]

I'd pay the $50 + shipping to have one sent to me from www.carpart.com vs. what it would take to get one off of the junkyard Q. Even if the yard provides a lift or skid steer to pull the engine, the time you spend unbolting stuff enough to yank the engine wouldn't be worth the savings to me... and I'm pretty frugal.

Heath

[mattd1979]

When it comes time to drop the pan on your car, you can get an engine support brace from harbor freight for $80 that sits across your engine bay and rests on the shock towers. You attach it to the lift hook on the passenger side and run a chain around the driver side exhaust manifold. Then you put the front of the car on stands. Once that is out of the way, you then unbolt the upper links at the 3rd members, disconnect the lower portion of your struts from the 3rd members, unbolt the steering knuckle from the rack and slide it up off and swing out of the way, disconnect both hydraulic lines from the steering rack, unbolt the motor mounts from the cross member, place a jack under the cross member to support it and unbolt the cross member, slowly lower the cross member until the engine is supported by the brace. Once the cross member is out of the way you then have full access to the pan. Reverse order for install.

Matt

[kingsole]

I checked http://www.carparts.com and found it. I guess my main problem was that I was searching for something model specific. I did get to dig around the VH forums as wes suggested, and got an idea of what kind of resources are here for me and my only wish is that id known sooner.
Thanks for all the help! Another one saved.

[Infinitiguy19]

Matt

Was the AC compressor covering some of the bolts for the oil pan?