Oil pan – removal and installation
Removal
1. Disconnect the cables from the negative terminals of the batteries (see Engine electrical systems).
2. Drain the engine oil (see Tune-up and routine maintenance).
3. Raise the vehicle and support it securely on jackstands.
4. Remove the oil dipstick.
2WD models
5. Remove the fan and fan shroud (see Cooling, heating and air conditioning systems).
6. Remove the starter (see Engine electrical systems).
7. Remove the transmission (see Chapters Manual transmission ; Automatic transmission ; Transfer case ).
8. Remove the flywheel housing and the driveplate.
9. Remove the steering gear mounting bolts and lower the steering gear.
4WD models
10. Unbolt the radiator shroud but don’t remove it.
11. Attach an engine support fixture or a hoist to the engine lift brackets with a chain.
12. Raise the engine slightly, then remove the front engine mount through-bolts. Continue raising the engine until sufficient clearance is obtained under it (see illustration).
12.12 Support the engine with an engine hoist, two large wood blocks, and a floor jack placed under the transmission; an engine support fixture can also be used in place of the hoist
13. Remove the two bolts from the front of the engine block support.
All models
14. Remove the oil pan bolts and use a putty knife between the block and the pan to break the gasket seal (see illustration). Caution: Do not gouge the sealing surfaces with a screwdriver or pry tool.
12.14 With the engine safely supported, remove the oil pan bolts
15. Lower the pan to access and remove the two bolts retaining the oil suction tube near the front of the block (see illustration). Lower the suction tube into the oil pan and remove the oil pan and suction tube together.
12.15 Lower the oil pan and remove the suction tube bolts at the front of the engine
Installation
16. Clean the interior of the oil pan with rags and solvent and clean the oil suction tube, blowing it out with compressed air if available. Also clean the pan mounting surface of the block of any sealant, gasket material or oil.
17. On the engine, apply a small bead of RTV sealant to the block and front cover joints, and the block and the rear seal retainer joints.
18. Attach a new gasket to the oil suction tube mounting flange and place the suction tube into the pan, with the mounting flange at the front.
19. Raise the oil pan up next to the block and attach the oil suction tube to the block. Install the oil pan. Tighten the bolts, starting in the center and working towards the ends, to the torque listed in this Chapter’s Specifications.
20. Install the oil pan drain plug with a new sealing washer and tighten it to the torque listed in this Chapter’s Specifications.
21. Refill the engine with new oil (see Tune-up and routine maintenance).
22. The remainder of installation is the reverse of removal. Start the engine and check for oil leaks.