Replacing Oil Pan Gasket: 2008 Caliber Step-By-Step Guide

The oil pan gasket on a 2008 Dodge Caliber may need to be replaced if it is leaking oil. This can be identified by checking for oil leaks or an engine oil warning light on the dashboard. The oil pan gasket can be replaced by removing the oil pan, cleaning the surfaces, and installing a new gasket. The oil pan is located under the car and attached to the bottom of the engine. The process involves draining the oil, removing the oil pan and gasket, and then adding new oil and a new gasket. It is recommended to refer to a service manual for specific instructions and bolt locations. The cost of parts and labour for this replacement can vary.

Detect oil leaks by cleaning the engine with a degreaser and following the trail to its highest point

To change the oil pan gasket on a 2008 Dodge Caliber, you'll first need to drain the oil. Next, remove the plastic shroud between the passenger front fender well and the undercarriage to expose the oil pan bolts. Then, remove the bracket connecting the pump to the serpentine belt and oil pan, leaving the pump in place. Take out all the bolts on the oil pan and use a putty knife to wedge between the pan and the engine to break the silicone seal. Scrape the top of the pan and bottom of the engine with a razor blade to remove the silicone, then wipe down the contact areas with a rag sprayed with carb cleaner. Apply a bead of RTV gasket maker all around the pan, insert two bolts in one corner to hold it in place, and then finger-tighten the remaining bolts. Let it sit for an hour and then tighten the bolts. Finally, refill the oil pan with oil and let it sit for 24 hours.

To detect oil leaks, start by cleaning the engine with a degreaser. You can use a non-metallic scrub brush or a pressure washer with a foam cannon. If you're using a pressure washer, dilute the degreaser with water per the manufacturer's instructions, or use a ratio of 10 parts water to 1 part cleaner. Apply the degreaser to the entire engine bay and let it soak for 5 minutes before rinsing with clean water. Once the engine is clean, dry it off with a towel or compressed air.

After cleaning and drying the engine, place some old newspapers or cardboard under your car to catch any leaking oil. Leave it overnight or drive it until the oil starts to leak. If you're having trouble finding the source of the leak, use a dye tracer kit to make the leaking oil more visible. Mix a dose of the trace dye with your engine oil, then drive your car until the oil starts to leak. Jack up the vehicle, connect the lamp clips to the battery, put on the yellow glasses, and use the UV lamp to inspect the underside of the car. Look for the highest point of any oil trace, which should lead you to the source of the leak.

Remove the oil pan and gasket, and drain the oil

To remove the oil pan and gasket and drain the oil from a 2008 Dodge Caliber, follow these steps:

Firstly, drain the oil. This can be done with the oil pan still attached, but it will make the process messier.

Next, remove the plastic shroud that goes between the passenger-side front fender well and the undercarriage. This will expose the bolts on the oil pan. Be careful not to damage the screws and plastic clips that hold the shroud in place.

Now, you should see a pump connected to the serpentine belt. There will be a bracket between the pump and the oil pan that needs to be removed, but the pump itself can be left in place.

Remove all the bolts on the oil pan. There will be a mixture of small and large bolts, likely either 12mm or 13mm. The oil pan should stay in place even with the bolts removed, unless the "gasket" is damaged.

Once all the bolts are removed, use a putty knife or similar tool to wedge between the pan and the engine to break the silicone seal. Work your way around the pan until you can pull it away with your hands. Be careful, as there will still be some oil in the pan.

Now that the oil pan is removed, you can scrape off any remaining gasket residue and clean the sealing surfaces with a solvent. You should also clean the inside of the oil pan and check for cracks before reinstalling it.

Finally, install the new gasket according to its instructions.

Please note that this process may vary depending on the specific model and configuration of your 2008 Dodge Caliber, and it is always recommended to refer to a service manual for the most accurate and vehicle-specific instructions.

Clean the oil pan and inspect for cracks

To clean the oil pan and inspect for cracks, begin by removing the oil pan. This process will differ depending on the type of vehicle you have. For example, for a 2007 Dodge Caliber, you will need to first remove the plastic shroud between the passenger front fender well and the undercarriage to expose the bolts on the oil pan. You will then need to remove the bracket connecting the pump to the serpentine belt, before removing all the bolts on the oil pan.

Once the bolts are removed, use a putty knife to wedge between the pan and the engine to break the silicone seal. Then, use your hands to pull the pan away from the engine. Be careful, as there will still be oil inside the pan.

Now that the oil pan has been removed, you can begin cleaning it. Use a razor blade to scrape off as much of the silicone residue as possible from the top of the pan and the bottom of the engine. Spray a rag with carb cleaner and wipe down the contact areas to get them as clean as possible.

Next, inspect the oil pan for cracks. Oil pans are typically made of aluminum, so if you find a large crack, it will need to be repaired at a shop that specializes in welding aluminum. If the crack is small, you may be able to repair it yourself using a cold welding compound.

If your oil pan is crack-free, you can proceed to reinstall it. Be sure to use a new gasket when reassembling the oil pan.

Install the new gasket per its instructions

Now that you've removed the old oil pan gasket, it's time to install the new one.

First, check the instructions that came with your new oil pan gasket. These instructions will tell you what, if any, sealants or chemicals are required for your specific gasket. For example, some gaskets use regular grease to hold the gasket in position. Others may require a thin bead of RTV to be applied to the entire surface of the engine before placing the gasket.

Once you've prepared the new gasket according to its instructions, it's time to install it. Carefully line up the new gasket with the oil pan, ensuring that it's properly seated and aligned. Then, following the manufacturer's torque specifications and sequence, install the oil pan bolts. Remember to tighten the bolts gradually and evenly to ensure a secure and even seal.

After the gasket is installed, it's important to reattach any accessory brackets and refill the crankcase with oil. Finally, start the engine and carefully inspect for any signs of leaks. If you notice any leaks, tighten the bolts further, ensuring that you don't over-tighten them, as this could damage the gasket.

Torque the oil pan bolts to spec in a spiral pattern, then reattach any accessory brackets

To torque the oil pan bolts to spec in a spiral pattern, you'll need to follow a few important steps. First, it's crucial to understand that the oil pan bolts should be tightened in a specific sequence to ensure an even seal. Start by installing all the bolts finger-tight, ensuring they're not cross-threaded. This will help you avoid warping the pan.

The next step is to tighten the bolts in a spiral pattern, starting from the centre and working outwards. It's important to use the correct torque specifications for the bolts, which can be found in a service manual or a repair guide specific to your vehicle's year, make, and model. If you don't have access to these resources, a general rule of thumb is to tighten the bolts just enough so they're snug, without applying excessive force that could damage the gasket or the oil pan itself.

Once you've torqued all the bolts, go over them again, using the same amount of force on each bolt to ensure an even seal. Finally, reattach any accessory brackets that were previously removed to access the oil pan.

It's worth noting that some oil pans have different-sized bolts, with larger fasteners at the corners and smaller ones along the siderails. In this case, you can tighten the larger corner bolts slightly more than the smaller ones, but be cautious not to overtighten, as this can cause the gasket to split or push out from the sides.

Frequently asked questions