oil pan gasket on Saturn SL2

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njot - 18 Mar 2007 04:05 GMT

Hi-

I am trying to locate an oil pan gasket for a 93 Saturn SL2, but from
what I can tell, they don't exist... if you replace the oil pan, you
just seal it with RTV sealant.

Is this correct? Can anyone confirm or deny this? I find this very
strange that it is only RTV sealant that is used, but maybe someone
can tell me and confirm this.

Thanks.

Also, how common is it for an oil pan on a Saturn to rust through and
become porous? I have never had this happen on a car before, but I
think that is what happened on my car.

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Lane - 18 Mar 2007 05:03 GMT

Yes, RTV is used. I had to do re-seal my pan at around 120k miles on my '94
SC2. The job takes a lot of time since you have to pry the old one off and
clean both the bottom of the block and the pan flange to remove all the old
silicone. It is also extremely difficult to remove the crank pulley. A
very good impact wrench or a breaker bar at least 2 feet long will help a
lot.

I've seen a number of oil pans with serious rust - it must have to do with
which part of the country you're in. If it is an area that salts roads in
the winter months, then I can see how a pan can eventually rust through.
The metal is not very thick.

If you need a replacement oil pan, let me know and I can probably dig one up
and offer it to you for a reasonable cost.

Lane [ lane (at) evilplastic.com ]
---
Visit my Saturn Car Audio and Performance Page at http://www.evilplastic.com

> Hi-
>
[quoted text clipped - 11 lines]
> become porous? I have never had this happen on a car before, but I
> think that is what happened on my car.

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SnoMan - 18 Mar 2007 13:44 GMT

>Yes, RTV is used.

When I make a gasket using RTV, I coat surfaces, let them skin over
and them assemble finger tight and let it sit overnight before torque
them down. I have found that this works well and prevents you from
squezzing the RTV out of area when it is still "wet". Also I have
found the black automotive RTV to be best here.
-----------------
TheSnoMan.com

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James1549 - 18 Mar 2007 19:55 GMT

I wonder if Saturn sells a pre-formed oil pan gasket like their valve
cover gaskets? Anyone know for sure?

My father-in-law had an alternator on his '94 go bad at 120K, a few
years ago. When I was under the car changing out the alt, he asked me
if I could tell what was leaking oil. He had to use a drip pan in the
garage.

I tightened up every oil pan bolt I could get to. Many were fairly
loose. About 2 months later I asked him about his oil leak. He said it
hasn't dripped a drop since. So maybe give it a try.

James

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njot - 18 Mar 2007 20:45 GMT

Thanks everyone for your ideas.
They all sound good.

I knew the car had a slight oil leak but it got worse recently.
1000 miles after an oil change I checked the dipstick and there was
NOTHING!!
I added 3 quarts and that filled it! Good thing I checked the oil! I
don't know how it was running on the one quart or so that was left.

I knew I had to find the leak but it's obviously much more urgent
now. I only had to add 1 quart between oil changes before. It
doesn't seem to leave much oil on the ground when it's parked. Maybe
a drop or two.

I have to figure out if it's leaking where the pan meets the block, or
if the pan (which is rusty from all the road salt) has become porous
and is actually leaking through the pan.

I've owned a lot of cars over the years but I've never had this happen
before (i.e. rust-through of the oil pan, if that's what it is).

Thanks again.

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Lane - 19 Mar 2007 05:46 GMT

Many of these cars consume oil. Some use a LOT of it. Just because it has
been down so much, don't assume it is a leak that is the sole cause of it.

Lane [ lane (at) evilplastic.com ]
---
Visit my Saturn Car Audio and Performance Page at http://www.evilplastic.com

> Thanks everyone for your ideas.
> They all sound good.
[quoted text clipped - 18 lines]
>
> Thanks again.

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Lane - 19 Mar 2007 05:47 GMT

>I wonder if Saturn sells a pre-formed oil pan gasket like their valve cover
>gaskets?

No, they do not.

I used the gasket RTV that I purchased from the Saturn parts counter, and
followed the procedure they spcified in the factory service manual. Even
though I was nervous about how well it would seal, I've never had a problem
after the job was done.

Lane [ lane (at) evilplastic.com ]
---
Visit my Saturn Car Audio and Performance Page at http://www.evilplastic.com

>I wonder if Saturn sells a pre-formed oil pan gasket like their valve
> cover gaskets? Anyone know for sure?
[quoted text clipped - 9 lines]
>
> James

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njot - 24 Mar 2007 23:35 GMT

OK... update.
It appears as though the biggest oil leak was actually coming from the
oil filter itself (Fram), so I replaced it.
Once I got it off, I couldn't find anything wrong with the old oil
filter or the gasket.

I put a new one on (AC Delco, which is typically what I use). It
appears to still leak, but not nearly as much.

It is very difficult to see the mating surface on the engine block, so
I can't tell if it was scored or anything like that.

Are there any other gasket in this area on the back of the engine that
I should also check for leaks?

Thanks.

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