How to Replace the Oil Pan Gasket in a Pontiac 1998 Grand Prix

If you have a small puddle of oil under your Pontiac 1998 Grand Prix in the morning, it is time to replace the oil-pan gasket. If the gasket is allowed to leak oil from the oil pan, the engine will consistently run low on oil. As a result, the engine could break and cost you thousands to repair. Basic hand tools are all that's needed to change the oil-pan gasket, so it is not necessary to take the Pontiac to a dealer or garage to have it repaired.

Things You'll Need

• Front-end ramps or jack stands
• Wheel chock
• Oil-drain pan
• Adjustable wrench
• Ratchet with 12 mm socket
• Scraper
• RTV gasket sealer
• Oil-pan gasket

Instructions

1. Drive the Gran Prix onto a set of front-end ramps and set the parking brake. Place a wheel chock behind the rear tire to secure the vehicle on the ramps.

2. Remove the engine drain plug and drain the engine oil into a drain pan. Replace the drain plug once the oil drains out.

3. Remove the bolts that secure the oil pan to the engine block with a socket and ratchet.

4. Wedge a metal scraper between the oil pan and the engine block and twist the scraper sideways. Complete this process as you slide the scraper around the oil pan to break the RTV silicone seal.

5. Slide the oil pan backwards. The oil pump is located inside of the oil pan. The pump makes removing the pan difficult but there is enough room to remove the pan without lifting the engine.

6. Scrape the old RTV gasket material off the engine block and then off the oil pan. Inspect the oil pan for any dents or cracks. If the end of the pan that seals against the engine block is damaged, use a new oil pan.

7. Place RTV silicone around the sealing edge of the oil pan. Place the oil pan gasket on top of the RTV silicone and then place a bead of RTV silicone on top of the gasket.

8. Thumb tighten the oil pan to the engine block. Allow approximately 15 minutes for the RTV gasket sealer to firm up.

9. Tighten the bolts with the ratchet. Start with the center bolts and cross from side to side as you work your way outward.

References

• "Pontiac Grand Prix Repair Manual Years 1988 to 2007"; Haynes; 2008