I changed out my oil pan gasket this past weekend. I used some helpful hints that I have read from RF and RPS. After completing the install and doing my test drive, I still have a small leak. The leak seems to coming from the sides of the oil pan now, and I need some advice on how to fix it. I can tell you that the bolts are supposed to be torqued at 7-9ft lbs, but I couldn't get my 1/2" drive torque wrench under the truck. So, I tightened them with my 1/4" drive wrench using the head of the wrench (very little leverage) until I felt a little resistance then I stopped.

Should I tighten them down even more?
Is there any reason that this leak will go away after the truck gets some miles on it?
I really don't want to take it all apart again, but I may have to.

 

yeah, i had mine changed on my 1994 vulcan yesterday. i ordered the new style gasket from ford and had the mechanic put it on along with replacing the corroded pan and new pump.

also had him replace the leaky power steering gear box (another $215 part) and throttle cable ($133 part).

turned into an expensive week.

did you get the new style gasket?

 

i would say run em down just a little tighter, if you want get a feel for the torque with your torque wrench. if that doesn't fix it my other suggestion is use ultra black silicone. don't use the regular black stuff its no good. and just put a nice even thin coat on both surfaces and tack it up by dabbing it with your finger. then let it sit for a few minutes, like 5 or so then put your gasket back in between and run it down tight again. and that should solve your oil leak

 

I always use the black RTV on both sides of the gasket when I apply it. First I would try and tighten it down more. It shouldn't hurt anything.

 

The gasket I used is blue rubber and it has tabs to fit around the pan and the block. Is this the new style? I have never seen one that snaps to the sides of the pan, but that sounds excellent!!

Thanks for the suggestions guys, I am going to try tightening it down a little more first. If that doesn't work then I will have to try again with the Ultra Black RTV instead of my Black RTV.

When I put this gasket on, I tried using the RTV to hold the gasket against the block, but I couldn't get it to hold very well. So I used the RTV to attach the gasket to the pan and I used a few of the bolts to hold the gasket in place while I positioned it correctly. My biggest problem was the damn flex plate on the tranny! I may have to drop the tranny so that I can get it right. DAMN!

Thanks again!

 

You should be able to do it with the trans in place. I'm not firmiliar with the gasket set you used, not the same on the 302, but on mine it was 4 pieces, and it was very important to RTV between the gaskets. It was pretty easy to see where the gasket wasn't going to fit flush, like around the crank. Good luck with the fix.

 

like i said, mine was the new style from ford. looked plastic and had clips on the sides of it.
$55+ from ford.
mechanic said it wasnt too bad to change pan. he removed tranny instead of lifting motor up.

 

Thanks for the help guys. I did use RTV on both sides of the gasket. So either my problem is that I didn't tighten it down enough or I just need the gasket from the stealership and either drop the tranny or raise the engine.....I think raising the engine would be easier, some of those bolts on the bell housing are a PITA to get to!! Thanks again.

 

yup 04 edge, thats the gasket i got from ford and had the mechanic put on

 

That is what I thought, but when I installed the first gasket I didn't use any RTV and it leaked like a ****. Then with this gasket I thought I should use some so that I don't have the same problem. Now it leaks a little bit with the new gasket. And if I can't get to stop after tightening the bolts then I will definitely get one from FORD........should I use RTV with the gasket from FORD or not?

 

i wouldnt think u need rtv with the ford gasket......but i am not a mechanic

 

I always put RTV "the right stuff" on the pan... then the gasket.. then bolt it up..

But you always torque it..

To me it sounds like you over torqued the bolts, and squeezed the gasket out... And now the oil is leakin from there....

you should probably find out what the torque rating is on it.. and get a newton meter / inch lb torque wrench..

 

I checked the bolts this morning and one of them was quite loose. I was able to get 2 full-turns on it. That may be my problem. I also checked all the other bolts and I was able to get 1/16th to 1/8th of a turn on some of them. I will drive it this week and we'll find out if it worked.

Why do you think I over torqued the bolts? I only tightened them down until I felt a slight resistance. I know that the bolts need to be torqued at 7-9ft lbs. I think I mentioned that in the first post. Either way, it seems to me that the bolts would be too loose considering I barely used any torque at all. And I can't get my torque wrench in there to tighten them.

 

I did tighten the bolts by feel instead of with a torque wrench. Mostly because I couldn't fit the torque wrench in there.

Anyway, I will keep you guys updated this week with the leak and I am already planning on taking it all apart again and use the FORD gasket...no RTV!!! I can't wait! HAHA

 

update......after driving truck 60+ miles since returned from new oil pan/gasket at shop, oil not leaking.

i suggest you get the updated ford gasket.

 

Alright, so I have been driving the truck this week and I still have a leak. It is not leaking as badly as before, but I don't like leaks. So, I will be heading to the stealership to pick up an oil pan gasket. But, I don't have the cherry picker anymore. The guy that owned it needed it back....dammit!!