Replacing Oil Pan Gasket

[imported_TheMan]

Engine/Drive System: 89 Merc 3.0 with Alpha One

Is it possible to drop the oil pan out and replace the gasket without removing the engine from the boat? Anyone ever done it?

 

[Chris1956]

Re: Replacing Oil Pan Gasket

It is clearly possible, but depends on the amount of space under the motor. I would also make sure you can get to all the bolts on the pan, before you start it.

 

[qystan]

Re: Replacing Oil Pan Gasket

Why would you want to change the gasket? Leaking oil? Not a likely culprit to leak oil suddenly.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Replacing Oil Pan Gasket

I did it on a 305 Chevy once. It was such a PITA that I swore while doing it that I would pull the engine the next time I ever tried it.

 

[Haut Medoc]

Re: Replacing Oil Pan Gasket

I woud think that you would have to remove the drive, loosen the motor mounts & lift the engine a little.....
I suppose that your boat's specific configuration would dictate if that was necessary........
Like qystan says, I would doubt the oil pan gasket is the source of your leak.....
What is the condition of the pan itself?
I would get in there with a mirror & do a thorough visual exam first......JK

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Replacing Oil Pan Gasket

I replaced my pan because the pan had rusted out. Make sure that is not your problem before going through all the trouble of changing the gasket.

I had to raise my engine off its mounts too.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Replacing Oil Pan Gasket

For the Minuscule amount of Work to Pull a 3.0l,......

You'd be Nuts to even Try to do this In-Place.......

 

[Autotech1]

Re: Replacing Oil Pan Gasket

dont know alot about 3.0s but with other motors you can drop the pan, unbolt the oil pump and drop it in the pan, and thet pull the pan out from under the motor. Often the oilpump is the only thing holding you up.

to install set the pump in the pan, set the pan under the motor reinstall pum etc, etc..

 

[imported_TheMan]

Re: Replacing Oil Pan Gasket

Is there an easy and inexpensive way to pull an engine without taking it to a shop? Don't have lots of extra cash (just like everyone else) and I don't have a garage.. Just a driveway and an enclosed porch. No good limbs nearby to try and hoist it out. I was also hoping to avoid messing with the alignment, but if I were to pull it and not adjust any of the mounts it should be ok, right?

I seem to remember something about autozone renting out engine hoists. Can anyone confirm this and the approximate cost to rent one?

Any other good ideas?

On the side, the boat is 17 years old and every gasket that I have come across in my repairs has been shot. Looking at replacing a lot of gaskets and seals this winter... among other things.

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: Replacing Oil Pan Gasket

Get a bright light and a mirror. I thought my pan gasket was leaking but it ended up being a rust hole in the pan itself. The oil pan and timing cover usually will rust and leak faster than a gasket.

 

[Cptkid570]

Re: Replacing Oil Pan Gasket

You can build your own hoist of wood and hoist the engine out with a come-along. Comealong is only like $20 from Harborfrieght. It would probably cost you about $30 in wood.

You can rent an engine hoist from most tool rental shops, but you'd first want to make sure that it would be tall enough.

 

[bomar76]

Re: Replacing Oil Pan Gasket

You HAVE to align engine after it is pulled, period.

Well......not entirely true....you don't HAVE to.
It's easier to just toss it back in and wait 'till you destroy the coupler so you can pull engine again to replace it.

You should be pulling the drive at least once a year to check alignment (along with a host of other things) anyway.