Oil Pan: Service and Repair

Oil Pan Replacement

Removal Procedure

Important: Do not raise the engine by the crankshaft balancer to perform this service procedure. Damage to the crankshaft balancer or the crankshaft may occur.





1. Drain the engine oil. Refer to Engine Oil and Oil Filter Replacement Service and Repair.
2. Remove the oil level indicator tube. Refer to Oil Level Indicator and Tube Replacement Oil Level Indicator and Tube Replacement.
3. Remove the starter motor. Refer to Starter Motor Replacement (LG5) Starter Motor Replacement (LG5)Starter Motor Replacement (L18) Starter Motor Replacement (L18) in Engine Electrical.
4. Remove the oil cooler line bracket bolt.
5. Remove the oil cooler line bracket from the oil pan.




6. Remove the transmission fluid cooler line clip bolt.
7. Remove the transmission fluid cooler line bracket bolt and bracket.
8. Disconnect the oil level switch electrical connector.
9. Remove the oil level switch from the oil pan.
10. Remove the oil pan bolts.





Important: The oil pan gasket is reusable if not cut or damaged.


11. Remove the oil pan (1) and the captured oil pan gasket (2).
12. Clean and inspect the oil pan. Refer to Oil Pan Cleaning and Inspection in Engine Mechanical - 8.1 L Unit Repair.

Installation Procedure

Important: The oil pan must be installed within 5 minutes of the sealer being applied or the sealer will begin to cure, causing an inadequate seal.





1. Apply sealant GM U.S. P/N 12346286, Canada P/N 10953472, to the side of the front (1) and rear (2) crankshaft bearing caps, on both the left and right sides (4 locations total).




2. Install a new oil pan gasket (2) into the oil pan groove, if necessary.
3. Install the oil pan (1).





Notice: Refer to Fastener Notice in Cautions and Notices.

4. Install the oil pan bolts.

1. Tighten the oil pan bolt in sequence a first pass to 10 Nm (89 lb in).
2. Tighten the oil pan bolts in sequence a final pass to 25 Nm (18 lb ft).

5. Install the transmission fluid cooler line bracket bolt and bracket.

Tighten the transmission fluid cooler line bracket bolt to 30 Nm (22 lb ft).

6. Install the transmission fluid cooler line clip bolt.

Tighten the transmission fluid cooler line clip bolt to 30 Nm (22 lb ft).

7. Install the oil level switch to the oil pan.

Tighten the oil level switch to 14 Nm (10 lb ft).

8. Connect the oil level switch electrical connector.




9. Install the oil cooler line bracket to the oil pan.
10. Install the oil cooler line bracket bolt.

Tighten the oil cooler line bracket bolt to 9 Nm (80 lb in).

11. Install the starter motor. Refer to Starter Motor Replacement (LG5) Starter Motor Replacement (LG5)Starter Motor Replacement (L18) Starter Motor Replacement (L18) in Engine Electrical.
12. Install the oil level indicator. Refer to Oil Level Indicator and Tube Replacement Oil Level Indicator and Tube Replacement.
13. Fill the engine with oil. Refer to Engine Oil and Oil Filter Replacement Service and Repair.