How to Change Oil Pan Gasket for a Honda Civic Ex

Having a leaky oil pan means that you're dripping oil on your driveway, and if left unchecked, you'll run out of oil and damage the engine. Replacing the oil pan isn't a difficult task, but it does take some extra time and tools to do correctly. In this case, the vehicle is a 1992 Honda Civic, but the process is similar for other years of Civics.

Things You'll Need

• Jack
• Jack stands
• 3/8-inch ratchet and socket set
• Drain pan
• Gasket scraper
• Shop rags
• Replacement oil pan gasket
• Liquid gasket material or RTV silicone
• Replacement oil

Instructions

1. Lift the vehicle with the jack and place it on jack stands. Make sure the vehicle is secure before you crawl underneath it.

2. Locate the oil pan on the bottom of the engine. Place the drain pan underneath the oil drain plug and open the plug using the 3/8-inch ratchet and sockets.

3. Unbolt the oil pan from the engine block using the 3/8-inch ratchet and socket set.

4. Remove the oil pan, making sure to maneuver it around the oil pump pickup. There may be oil dripping from the block at this point, so use a shop rag to clean it up.

5. Remove the oil pan gasket using the gasket scraper. Make sure the gasket surface is clean before you move on.

6. Apply the RTV silicone or liquid gasket material to the corners of the oil pan where the pan dips down in a half-circle shape.

7. Place the gasket onto the oil pan and apply the RTV silicone in the same manner as you did in Step 6, just this time on top of the gasket.

8. Hold the oil pan up the the mounting surface and bolt it back in place using the factory hardware and the 3/8-inch ratchet.

9. Pop the hood, open the oil cap on the valve cover and pour the replacement oil into the engine. Pour as much as the factory recommends.