Replacing the oil pan on 3.8L... difficulty?

noiseguy · 09-20-2010, 10:48 AM

The oil pan on my 2002 with 3.8L is getting thin from rust.

I read up on the service procedure. What looked like it should be pretty straightforward requires a external engine holder and removing some / all of the lower motor mounts and some of the accessory drive.

Anyone that's done this procedure that can comment on what needs to come out to do this job? Workarounds? Or is it pretty much as listed above?

I've pulled motor mounts for service by supporting the oil pan on a jack; obviously that's not possible here.

**wanderson75** · 09-20-2010, 12:14 PM

You'll need a cherry picker to support the engine while you change it out. The passenger's side mount will need to be removed.

**04DetroitLS** · 09-20-2010, 04:58 PM

you can get at it w/o removing the mount.... the part that bolts to the front cover hits the subframe when you try to remove it and b/c of the pickup, and needing to wiggle the pan off, you have to lift the engine out ~3-6" IIRC

**wanderson75** · 09-21-2010, 06:03 AM

True. You might want to pick up a replacement windage tray too. Considering the age and exposure to heat I wouldn't be surprised if yours cracks out when you go to remove the pan.

noiseguy · 09-21-2010, 09:54 AM

Windage tray is built into the gasket as I recall. Yes, I plan to replace the gasket.

**wanderson75** · 09-21-2010, 12:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by noiseguy

Windage tray is built into the gasket as I recall. Yes, I plan to replace the gasket.

Technically it's reuseable. And the gasket is built into the windage tray. Not the other way around. But yeah. Good idea to replace it.

09-20-2010, 10:48 AM	#1 (permalink)
noiseguy Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Posts: 57 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Replacing the oil pan on 3.8L... difficulty? The oil pan on my 2002 with 3.8L is getting thin from rust. I read up on the service procedure. What looked like it should be pretty straightforward requires a external engine holder and removing some / all of the lower motor mounts and some of the accessory drive. Anyone that's done this procedure that can comment on what needs to come out to do this job? Workarounds? Or is it pretty much as listed above? I've pulled motor mounts for service by supporting the oil pan on a jack; obviously that's not possible here.

09-20-2010, 04:58 PM	#3 (permalink)
04DetroitLS Moderator Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 3,393 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post View My Garage 04DetroitLS	you can get at it w/o removing the mount.... the part that bolts to the front cover hits the subframe when you try to remove it and b/c of the pickup, and needing to wiggle the pan off, you have to lift the engine out ~3-6" IIRC __________________ any asshole can make a v8 fast It takes a special breed oof stupid/crazy asshole to make a v6 fast http:www.hellfiremotorsports.com/garage

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09-21-2010, 09:54 AM	#5 (permalink)
noiseguy Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Posts: 57 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Windage tray is built into the gasket as I recall. Yes, I plan to replace the gasket.

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