oil pan gasket on Saturn SL2

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 ]

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

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

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.

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 ]

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 ]

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.