Oil pan gasket replacement
11-25-2015, 11:51 PM
#1
Oil pan gasket replacement
I have a F150 Screw Lariat 5.4 Triton. I'm addressing an oil pan leak. The leak was at the front of the oil pan stemming from a past timing job that damaged the pan gasket under the front cover. I replaced the oil pan gasket using a Felpro gasket. Now the oil leak has moved to the rear of the pan, almost seams like it's a rear main seal but there was no leak before I changed the gasket. The front is not leaking now. ..
My question is; can you install the pan gasket upside down? Do the tabs go towards the block or the pan? I installed them toward the pan but didn't notice which way the old one came off.
This engine is so finicky about OEM parts, I picked up an OEM oil pan gasket and I will change the oil filter adapter gasket with the OEM part at the same time since that seems to be a typical leak area too.
I'm just not sure which way to install the pan gasket...... tabs to the pan or tabs to the block? It looks like it can go either way.
I used a dab of silicone at the corners where the block/cover seams/joints are so I'm pretty sure that is noun a problem.
My question is; can you install the pan gasket upside down? Do the tabs go towards the block or the pan? I installed them toward the pan but didn't notice which way the old one came off.
This engine is so finicky about OEM parts, I picked up an OEM oil pan gasket and I will change the oil filter adapter gasket with the OEM part at the same time since that seems to be a typical leak area too.
I'm just not sure which way to install the pan gasket...... tabs to the pan or tabs to the block? It looks like it can go either way.
I used a dab of silicone at the corners where the block/cover seams/joints are so I'm pretty sure that is noun a problem.
11-29-2015, 02:21 PM
#2
Senior Member
Hey Jack sorry I can't answer your question for you as I haven't replaced my gasket yet. I have the same leak you do right at the front part of the pan. Wondering though if your truck is 4x4? And if so were you able to remove the pan without lifting the engine? I attempted this last summer thinking the pan would just come out. Obviously I was mistaken, and I can't remember how the gasket was oriented (tabs up or down).
11-29-2015, 08:26 PM
#3
Hi Sako42,
I re-did the job over the weekend and NO, you can't install the gasket backwards or upside down. The hole pattern and tabs won't let you....., that's why they are there. My truck is not a 4X4 and all I needed to remove was the frame cross member. The oil pan came right out without lifting the engine. The front four bolts were tough to get and I had to use a wrench. Turns out though, my leak is coming from my power steering pump. Running down the block and onto the pan edge, then to the rear of the pan and dripping off. Even blowing onto the bell housing from driving and appearing as a rear main seal leak.... Ugh... So hard to trace! I highly recommend using OEM parts on these engines.... even gaskets! SO now I'm going to try to find a remanufactured/rebuilt OEM power steering pump. Oh yeah, I also changed the oil filter adapter gasket while I was right there changing the oil pan gasket. Totally worth the piece of mind and now I KNOW it is the power steering pump. I also saw fluid up above the filter area, then noticed the bottom of the pump was wet. I also took it to a car wash and washed it down previously so I could see any leaks. That helped also. I also put card board under the truck nightly so I could track where the drips were coming from. And here I am still battling it. This is after the entire cam phaser job! WHEW!!!!
I re-did the job over the weekend and NO, you can't install the gasket backwards or upside down. The hole pattern and tabs won't let you....., that's why they are there. My truck is not a 4X4 and all I needed to remove was the frame cross member. The oil pan came right out without lifting the engine. The front four bolts were tough to get and I had to use a wrench. Turns out though, my leak is coming from my power steering pump. Running down the block and onto the pan edge, then to the rear of the pan and dripping off. Even blowing onto the bell housing from driving and appearing as a rear main seal leak.... Ugh... So hard to trace! I highly recommend using OEM parts on these engines.... even gaskets! SO now I'm going to try to find a remanufactured/rebuilt OEM power steering pump. Oh yeah, I also changed the oil filter adapter gasket while I was right there changing the oil pan gasket. Totally worth the piece of mind and now I KNOW it is the power steering pump. I also saw fluid up above the filter area, then noticed the bottom of the pump was wet. I also took it to a car wash and washed it down previously so I could see any leaks. That helped also. I also put card board under the truck nightly so I could track where the drips were coming from. And here I am still battling it. This is after the entire cam phaser job! WHEW!!!!