Real gaskets for the oil pan

[Tcoat]

Originally Posted by soundman98

i feel like that's a terrible concept though. as we all saw with the valve spring recall, human application, especially non-specifically-trained-human-application of rtv is much more likely to fail and be a problem.

so in a lot of ways, once one opens the pan and re-applies rtv, there's just as much of a possibility that their own work will fail, leading to repeated concerns that are justifiable enough to open the pan again, and again, and again.

for those that are concerned, it's literally 'best' to drop the oil pan EVERY oil change...

Disagree.
First off the prior issue was the timing cover not the oil pan. There are many many more ways to screw up doing the timing cover.
Secondly a big part of the first issue was improper clean up or hasty application. Take your time to do it right and there is no greater risk by the human hand.
Finally I have seen manufacturing robots screw up on at least a weekly basis for the last 35 years. I have far more trust in doing something by hand than I ever will in a robot.

[mycrors7]

Originally Posted by Tcoat

Or...

Pull the pan.
Clean out anything you find.
CAREFULLY apply new sealant.
Reinstall stock pan as is.
Change the oil on a regular basis.

The probability of getting new chunks breaking off on an ongoing basis is remote. It is much more likly it is a one time clean.

while i do agree with you,

having the access hole there will allow for future long term maintenance when stuff has to get taken apart and put back together.. everyone makes mistakes; humans and machines.

[Tcoat]

Originally Posted by mycrors7

while i do agree with you,

having the access hole there will allow for future long term maintenance when stuff has to get taken apart and put back together.. everyone makes mistakes; humans and machines.

But at some point you need to draw a line at how many "maintenance points" you put in. Adding a custom access hole to an oil pan completely crosses that line for me. It is another potential failure point and serves no purpose unless you think that sealant is going to build up for the life of the car. It won't. If it does then having an access hole will be of little help since there will be much bigger issues.

[mycrors7]

Originally Posted by Tcoat

But at some point you need to draw a line at how many "maintenance points" you put in. Adding a custom access hole to an oil pan completely crosses that line for me. It is another potential failure point and serves no purpose unless you think that sealant is going to build up for the life of the car. It won't. If it does then having an access hole will be of little help since there will be much bigger issues.

youre definitely correct.

im sure there will be a few who are paranoid that will go through with modifying their original oil pan to make an access hole. I cant see myself doing that.

i also dont see myself opening my oil pan very often either to even bother checking. when the time comes ill pop it open to clean(or pay a dealer to do so, just to play it safe and have it on record to avoid potential future warranty issues if my motor goes kaboom)

[villainous_frx]

Originally Posted by soundman98

human application, especially non-specifically-trained-human-application of rtv is much more likely to fail and be a problem.

so in a lot of ways, once one opens the pan and re-applies rtv, there's just as much of a possibility that their own work will fail, leading to repeated concerns that are justifiable enough to open the pan again, and again, and again.

I replaced my oil pan in the summer of '21 and it was pretty stressful but has been leak free. Following the service manual to the letter and the advice of a half dozen friends who had already performed the task allowed me to do it without issue. Could most people do it correctly? Probably, but I wouldn't be shocked if a number of people managed to completely bungle it.


Side note, when I did this job I cleared the strainer on the oil pick up (early '14 build date iirc) and it had a singular piece of sealant so small I don't think I bothered to take a photo.

[Ultramaroon]

Inspection port? Come on. You get a whole tube of glue. Practice a couple times. No rule says you can only do it once. Cinch it up almost tight and take it apart. More? Less? You'll know.

[soundman98]

with the right sized inspection port, one could smear the rtv around the inside of the pan to keep it from oozing too much...

[Mcgiiver]

Originally Posted by mycrors7

You can save yourself a headache and just drill an access hole right under the pickup, weld on a bung and place a second drain plug there.

Pull the oil pan once. Seal it up, and check it every oil change

I was just thinking the same thing. However, would the exhaust pipes still be in the way of the new access port? Would still need to remove the floor pan or cut an access port in that?