Hello All,

I was going to replace my oil pan gasket soon. Anyone have any tips for making this job simpler? All input welcomed. byw. I have an '97 850 glt.

Thanks,

Bird

I'm sure someone will let me know if I'm wrong but I don't think there's a gasket on the oil pan. I'm thinking Volvo used the same sealant they used on the camshaft cover.

Have you pinpointed the source of your leak?
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Erwin in Memphis, '88 745t 183,000 miles, '95 855t For Sale

That's correct, it is a liquid gasket. To do the job, you need to support the car by the frame behind the subframe that holds the engine and front suspension. You will need an engine hoist or equivalent to hold up the engine. You will need to at least loosen the power steering lines that run under the oil pan so that you can move them to the side. Remove the dipstick tube (bolted to the underside of the intake manifold). Then unbolt the engine from the subframe (remove the right front wheel to get to the front engine mount), and unbolt the subframe and lower it (mostly needs to be lowered at the front of the engine to allow the pan to clear the subframe). Now you will be able to remove the oil pan bolts and remove it. Clean the old gasket material with a gasket remover. I then cleaned the gasket remover with some carb cleaner. Clean both mating surfaces, and apply the Volvo liquid gasket to the oil pan with a small paint roller. Replace the various o-rings (two between the oil pan and intermediate section, the dipstick tube, and you might as will replace the oil tube pickup o-ring while you're in there too) and bolt the pan back in place.

You really want to have a good reason to do this, or else you just love working on your car.

Phantom

Thanks Phantom,

Its leaking from the oil pan and from a covered plate that covers something on the block. I have purchased all the gaskets for each job. It was not easy determining the source of the leak. I had ithe car on a lift at least a half dozen times. Each time cleaning all covered areas and carefully identifying the leaks.
And no, I really don't enjoy the work. But having a friend in that works at Jaguar dealership and having access to all the tools etc. is a clear advantage. And I am sure to learn something... Have no fear. Its just a car.

Thanks agian,

Bird

You sound pretty sure you've found the leak. If you haven't yet, before you go to all the trouble of pulling the pan, replace your turbo's oil return pipe O-ring and gasket. Under $10 for parts and a 30 min job on ramps. When they start to leak the oil gets EVERYWHERE. I wasn't losing much oil but the entire backside of the block, pan, trans and subframe were coated in oil. After replacing the two parts and cleaning up the mess there's not a drop of oil anywhere under the car.

Good luck, BTW, if you do proceed with the pan, how about pictures?
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Erwin in Memphis, '88 745t 183,000 miles, '95 855t For Sale

The sealant is orange and is NOT RTV sealant