Oil Pan Installation

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2003 GMC Sonoma, 2003 GMC Jimmy, 2003 Chevrolet S10 Pickup, and 2003 Chevrolet Blazer. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

Apply a 5 mm (0.197 in) wide and 25 mm (1.0 in) long bead of adhesive GM P/N 12346141 (Canadian P/N 10953433) or equivalent, to both the right and left sides of the engine front cover to engine block junction at the oil pan sealing surfaces.

Fig 1: Applying Adhesive to Engine Front Cover
Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Apply a 5 mm (0.197 in) wide and 25 mm (1.0 in) long bead of adhesive GM P/N 12346141 (Canadian P/N 10953433) or equivalent, to both the right and left sides of the crankshaft rear oil seal housing to engine block junction at the oil pan sealing surfaces.

Fig 2: Applying Adhesive to Crankshaft Rear Oil Seal Housing
Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

Important: Always install a NEW oil pan gasket.

The oil pan gasket and oil pan must be installed and the fasteners tightened while the adhesive is still wet to the touch.
Install the NEW oil pan gasket into the groove in the oil pan.

Fig 3: Installing Oil Pan Gasket
Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

Important: The oil pan alignment must always be flush or forward no more than 0.3 mm (0.011 in) from the rear face of the engine block.
Install the oil pan onto the engine block.
Press the oil pan gasket into the grooves of the engine front cover and crankshaft rear oil seal housing.
Slide the oil pan back against a suitable straight edge.

Fig 4: Installing Oil Pan
Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Install the oil pan bolts and nuts, but do not tighten.
Measure the pan-to-transmission housing clearance using a feeler gage and a straight edge.
Use a feeler gage to check the clearance between the oil pan-to-transmission housing measurement points. If the clearance exceeds 0.3 mm (0.011 in) at any of the 3 oil pan-to-transmission housing measurement points (1), then repeat the step until the oil pan-to-transmission housing clearance is within the specification. The oil pan must always be forward of the rear face of the engine block.

Fig 5: Measuring Pan-to-Transmission Housing Clearance
Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

NOTE: The alignment of the mating components is crucial. An offset greater than 0.30 mm (0.011 in) between the rear faces of the oil pan and block is not acceptable. Offsets greater than 0.30 mm (0.011 in) will affect the alignment between the engine assembly and the transmission. Mis-alignment of the engine assembly to the transmission can lead to internal and external damage to the engine assembly and/or transmission.

NOTE: Refer to FASTENER NOTICE in Cautions and Notices.
Tighten the oil pan bolts and nuts in sequence (1-12).
Tighten

Tighten the oil pan bolts to 25 N.m (16 lb ft).
Measure the clearance between the 3 oil pan-to-transmission housing measurement points in order to ensure proper alignment.

Fig 6: Oil Pan Bolts Tightening Sequence
Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Install a NEW oil pan drain plug seal, O-ring, onto the oil pan drain plug.
Install the oil pan drain plug into the oil pan.
Tighten

Tighten the oil pan drain plug to 25 N.m (18 lb ft).

Fig 7: Installing Oil Pan Drain Plug, & Seal, O-Ring
Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Install the NEW engine oil level sensor, if applicable.
Tighten

Tighten the engine oil level sensor to 13 N.m (115 lb in).

Fig 8: Installing Engine Oil Level Sensor
Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.