Emilie Meyer
Changing the transmission pan gasket on a 1999 Dodge Ram 1500 is a straightforward process that can be completed in about 3 hours. The first step is to disconnect the negative cable from the battery, followed by removing the engine oil dipstick and raising the vehicle. Next, drain the engine oil and remove the exhaust pipe. After this, you can remove the left engine to transmission strut and loosen the right-side engine support bracket cushion thru-bolt nut to slightly raise the engine. The oil pan can then be removed by sliding it backward and out. Once the old gasket is removed, clean the block and pan gasket surfaces before installing the new gasket and pan.
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What You'll Learn
Disconnect the negative battery cable
Disconnecting the negative battery cable is a necessary first step when changing the transmission pan gasket on a 1999 Dodge 1500. It is important to always disconnect the negative terminal first to prevent a direct short in the battery. This can happen if you loosen the positive terminal first and accidentally touch the ground with your wrench. A wrench can carry a great amount of current and cause a pretty blue flash!
To disconnect the negative battery cable, start by locating the negative terminal on the battery. It is usually clearly marked with a "-" symbol or a black cover. Once you have located the negative terminal, follow these steps:
- Inspect the battery cable for any damage, cracked or burned insulation, and corrosion. Poor cable connections can cause starting problems and decreased engine performance.
- If the cable looks intact and free of corrosion, proceed to the next step. If there is corrosion or damage, clean the threads of the solenoid or ground connection with a wire brush and apply a light coat of battery terminal corrosion inhibitor or petroleum jelly to prevent future corrosion.
- Loosen the nut or bolt securing the negative cable to the battery terminal using an appropriate wrench or socket.
- Carefully remove the cable from the terminal, making sure not to touch the positive terminal or any metal parts of the vehicle with the wrench or your hands.
- Isolate the negative cable to avoid accidental contact with the battery terminal. You can use a cable tie or tape to keep it away from the battery.
Keep in mind that disconnecting the battery cable may cause some electronic issues when you reconnect the battery. Newer RAM 1500s seem to go through a computer "reboot" when the battery cables are disconnected and reconnected, which can affect various electronic functions. To resolve this, simply cycle the engine by starting and shutting it off 3-5 times, and the electronics should be restored.
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Remove the exhaust pipe
To remove the exhaust pipe from your 1999 Dodge Ram 1500, you will need to follow a few steps. Firstly, disconnect the negative cable from the battery to ensure that no power is running through the vehicle. Next, you will need to raise the vehicle so that you can comfortably work underneath it. Once the vehicle is raised, locate the exhaust pipe and proceed to remove it. This process may vary depending on your specific model, but typically, you will need to loosen the bolts or clamps holding the exhaust pipe in place. Make sure to support the weight of the exhaust pipe as you detach it to avoid any damage or injury.
Now, we can focus on the transmission pan gasket replacement. Begin by draining the engine oil. This will involve placing a suitable container underneath the drain plug and removing the plug to allow the oil to drain out. Be cautious while handling the oil, as it may be hot. Once the oil is drained, proceed to remove the left engine to transmission strut. This will provide better access to the transmission pan. Loosen the right-side engine support bracket cushion through-bolt nut and slightly raise the engine. Now, you can remove the transmission pan by sliding it backward and out. Take care not to spill any remaining oil during this step.
At this point, you can remove the old gasket. Clean the block and pan gasket surfaces thoroughly to ensure no residue is left behind. Inspect the surfaces for any damage or irregularities. If necessary, trim or remove any excess sealant film in the rear main cap oil pan gasket groove. It is important to prepare these surfaces properly to ensure a successful gasket installation.
Now, you are ready to install the new gasket. Position the new gasket over the transmission pan, ensuring it is properly aligned. Carefully lower the transmission pan back into place and secure it with the appropriate bolts. Torque the bolts to the specified tightness, following the recommended sequence if provided. Reinstall the engine to transmission strut and tighten the through-bolt nut to secure the engine in place.
Finally, you can lower the vehicle and begin reassembling the components. Install the dipstick and reconnect the negative cable to the battery. Fill the crankcase with oil to the proper level, ensuring that it is the appropriate type of oil for your vehicle. Start the engine and check for any leaks around the gasket. Ensure that the exhaust pipe is securely attached and that there are no unusual noises coming from the vehicle. Test your Dodge Ram by taking it for a short drive and monitoring for any unusual behaviour.
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Drain the engine oil
To drain the engine oil of a 1999 Dodge Ram 1500, follow these steps:
First, locate the hood release lever under the driver's side dash. Pull this lever until you hear the hood click open. Then, locate the hood release latch through the passenger-side hood grill and push it towards the driver's side to fully open the hood.
Now, locate the oil filler cap on the front driver's side of the engine bay. It will have an oil can symbol on it. Turn the cap counter-clockwise to remove it. Insert a funnel into the oil filler hole and pour in 5 quarts of motor oil. Check the dipstick as you add the 6th quart and stop once the dipstick reads the correct level. The preferred oil viscosity is 5W-30, but 10W-30 oil can be used if 5W-30 is unavailable and the temperature remains above 0 degrees Fahrenheit. Remove the funnel and place the oil filler back over the oil filler hole, turning it clockwise until it is snug.
Next, locate the oil dipstick. It has a yellow handle and is near the back center of the engine bay. Pull out the dipstick, wipe it off, and place it back into its hole. Then, gently lower the hood until it clicks into the secondary latch. Press firmly on the hood until it locks into the main latch.
Now that the oil has been added, start the truck and look for leaks. If there are leaks, shut off the truck and determine if the drain plug or filter needs to be tightened or if a part has been damaged. If no leaks are present, allow the engine to run for a few minutes before letting it cool down for at least an hour.
Finally, re-check the oil level with the dipstick. If the oil level is more than half an inch above the "safe" section of the dipstick, you will need to drain some oil. To do this, locate the oil filter on the bottom side of the engine, towards the driver's side and behind the front bumper. Place an oil drain pan below the oil filter to catch the oil. Turn the oil filter counter-clockwise by hand until it comes off. If it's too tight, use an oil filter wrench. Lower the oil filter out of the engine bay with the threaded end facing up to reduce spills. Place the oil filter into the drain pan with its open end facing down.
These comprehensive steps outline the process of draining the engine oil in a 1999 Dodge Ram 1500, ensuring that the oil is properly added, leaks are addressed, and the oil level is accurately assessed.
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Slide out the oil pan
To slide out the oil pan, you will first need to disconnect the negative cable from the battery. Next, remove the engine oil dipstick. Then, raise the vehicle and drain the engine oil. After that, remove the exhaust pipe. Now, remove the left engine to transmission strut. Loosen the right-side engine support bracket cushion thru-bolt nut and raise the engine slightly. Finally, you can remove the oil pan by sliding it backward and out.
Some people have reported issues with removing the oil pan. For example, some have said that the pan gets stuck on the transmission and front cross-member. To solve this, you can try pushing the engine higher or loosening the transmission mount and shimming it up.
It is also worth noting that some people have suggested that you do not need to lift the motor at all. Instead, you can try removing the y-pipe or jacking the front cross-member up a couple of inches.
Once the oil pan is out, you can remove the one-piece gasket. Clean the block and pan gasket surfaces. Trim or remove any excess sealant film in the rear main cap oil pan gasket groove.
Now, you can begin to put the new gasket and oil pan in place. First, install the dowels in the cylinder block. Apply a small amount of Mopar® Silicone Rubber Adhesive Sealant, or an equivalent, to the corner of the cap and the cylinder block. Slide the one-piece gasket over the dowels and onto the block. Position the oil pan over the dowels and onto the gasket. Install the oil pan bolts. Tighten the bolts to 24 N·m (215 in. lbs.) torque. Remove the dowels. Install the remaining oil pan bolts. Tighten these bolts to 24 N·m (215 in. lbs.) torque.
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Clean the block and pan gasket surfaces
To clean the block and pan gasket surfaces of your 1999 Dodge Ram 1500, you will first need to remove the old gasket. This can be done using a razor blade or a retractable knife, taking care not to scratch the surface of the transmission. You can also use a wire wheel, or nylon wire wheel to avoid scratching.
If the gasket is stuck on, you can try using a small amount of adhesive remover, or brake cleaner, and letting it sit for around 15 minutes. You can also use a dremel to buff off the remaining gasket material. Once the majority of the gasket has been removed, you can use plastic tools to scrape off any remaining residue.
After the old gasket has been removed, you will need to clean the surface of the transmission. This can be done using brake cleaner, or another suitable cleaning product. Ensure that the surface is completely dry before proceeding to the next step.
Before installing the new gasket, you may want to apply a spray sealant to the transmission's mating surfaces. This will help to keep the gasket in place during installation and reduce the risk of leaks.
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Frequently asked questions
The labour time guide calls for 1.1 hours to replace the transmission pan gasket.
The procedure is as follows:
- Disconnect the negative cable from the battery.
- Remove the engine oil dipstick.
- Raise the vehicle.
- Drain the engine oil.
- Remove the exhaust pipe.
- Remove the left engine to transmission strut.
- Loosen the right side engine support bracket cushion thru-bolt nut and raise the engine slightly.
- Remove the oil pan by sliding it backward and out.
- Remove the one-piece gasket.
- Clean the block and pan gasket surfaces.
- Trim or remove excess sealant film in the rear main cap oil pan gasket groove.
- Install the dowels in the cylinder block.
- Apply a small amount of Mopar® Silicone Rubber Adhesive Sealant, or equivalent, to the corner of the cap and the cylinder block.
- Slide the one-piece gasket over the dowels and onto the block.
- Position the oil pan over the dowels and onto the gasket.
- Install the oil pan bolts and tighten to 24 N·m (215 in. lbs.) torque.
- Remove the dowels.
- Install the remaining oil pan bolts and tighten to 24 N·m (215 in. lbs.) torque.
- Lower the engine into the support cushion brackets and tighten the thru bolt nut to the proper torque.
- Install the drain plug and tighten to 34 N·m (25 ft. lbs.) torque.
- Install the engine to transmission strut.
- Install the exhaust pipe.
- Lower the vehicle.
- Install the dipstick.
- Connect the negative cable to the battery.
- Fill the crankcase with oil to the proper level.
The parts required are a new gasket, a new pan, and a new transmission refill. It is recommended to buy these parts from the dealership.
