Oil Pan Gasket Question/Observation

[Jack B]

I just replaced the oil pan gasket on a 97. The following are observations and questions:

1. The original oem gasket was a bakelite base with a fairly large rubber bead on both sides.

2. The bad rap on these gaskets is that they supposedly blow out, or the bakelite can crack and cause a bad leak very quickly. I have also heard that some of the pan bolt holes actually are open into the engine interior. I checked mine and all the holes were dead ended and did not enter the engine interior.

3. On the other hand I have pulled the pan at least 5-6 times and reused the old style gasket without a leak. This time the gasket was leaking, but, it was obvious that the rubber bead was damaged. Therefore, the need to buy a new gasket. I believe I made an error on the gasket cost in an earlier post, the new gaskets cost a little less then $200.

4. The new gaskets are a base of aluminum, however, the rubber bead is a fraction of the size of the older gasket. It seems we gave up one problem (blow out) for another possible issue, leaks.

5. I have pulled the pan and recaulked the four seams (in the corners) three time now and I still cannot get it to seal. The characteristic of the leak is that the pan bolts in the back are wet.

6. From what I can tell, it is one of the seams in the back that is leaking. Does anyone have a recommendation for technique or caulk/silicone that will solve this problem.

 

[Dom426h]

Black Silicone is what the Wizard instructed me to use when i did mine.

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[Jack B]

That is what I have been using?

 

[Ron]

For what it's worth, mine leaked exactly as you described (bolt holes) only when I used silicone on the bead. In frustration, I ended up getting another new gasket and didn't use silicone (except at the timing cover and rear main seal plate seams) and it didn't leak - 10 years later still dry.

 

[Dan Cragin]

It could be the rear main seal cover gasket, I had this issue on numerous 1996-7 Coupes as the gasket material had a defect that made it shrink. You think the oil pan is leaking because there is oil there. Have not had any issues with the aluminum gasket.

 

[Dom426h]

new gasket and didn't use silicone (except at the timing cover and rear main seal plate seams) and it didn't leak - 10 years later still dry.

O yea, forgot. +1, I only used the black silicone at the corners where the timing cover and rear main seal plate meet the pan

 

[Ratical2]

It could be the rear main seal cover gasket, I had this issue on numerous 1996-7 Coupes as the gasket material had a defect that made it shrink. You think the oil pan is leaking because there is oil there. Have not had any issues with the aluminum gasket.

This was my problem! I replaced my perfectly good oil pan gasket and did all of the tricks mentioned above with no success. Once I replaced my rear main seal cover gasket the problem was solved.