Removing Oil Pan From Saturn Sky: Step-By-Step Guide

The oil pan in a Saturn Sky can be challenging to remove, and it is recommended that you consult a certified technician or mechanic to perform this task. However, if you are determined to do it yourself, here are the steps you can follow:

First, make sure you have the necessary tools and safety equipment, such as gloves and eye protection. Then, jack up the car and support it securely with jack stands. Next, locate and remove the negative battery cable. After that, drain the oil from the engine oil pan, which is located between the front tires.

Now, the tricky part begins. You will need to remove the front exhaust pipe, the front stiffening bracket, and the flywheel cover. Then, take off the front right wheel and the wheel well splash shield to access the oil pan. Once you have clear access, unscrew the bolts holding the oil pan in place.

Loosen the front motor mount bolts slightly, and carefully pry the oil pan from the engine block using an RTV cutter tool. Be very cautious during this step to avoid damaging the engine block.

It is important to note that this is a complex task and may require additional tools or steps depending on your specific vehicle model and configuration. Always refer to the owner's manual or seek professional assistance if you are unsure about any part of the process.

Remove the engine

To remove the engine of a Saturn Sky, follow these steps:

First, decide whether you want to remove the engine and transmission together or separately. Removing them together is faster and easier, but you will need to take the complete front end off the car. If you want to remove the transmission first, you will need to remove the torque arm support and loosen the rear end.

Next, remove the axles. Then, raise the front end and set the car on heavy-duty jack stands where the power cradle is bolted to the body. Mark the struts and remove the wheels. Drain the transmission fluid to avoid a mess. Take photos of the wiring harness and support brackets on the back of the engine before you start, for reference. Remove the fender wells, the lower transmission mount, the crank pulley, and the engine support brackets.

Now, you're ready to remove the engine. Remove the oil pan bolts and pry the oil pan off. Then, slide the crankshaft pulley off and remove the lower engine mount and the bracket that wraps around the oil pan.

Finally, remove the exhaust. There are three bolts at the exhaust manifold, three behind the catalytic converter, and two mounting the pipe to the engine. Once the exhaust is out of the way, you can remove the engine/transmission structural brace.

Remove the oil pan bolts

To remove the oil pan bolts from a Saturn Sky, you will first need to remove the engine. This is not an easy task. Once the engine is out, you can then remove the oil pan bolts.

To remove the engine, you will need to remove the belt, the crankshaft bolt, and the pulley. You will then need to remove the lower engine mount and the bracket that wraps around the oil pan. After this, you will need to remove the exhaust. There are three bolts at the exhaust manifold, three behind the catalytic converter, and two mounting the pipe to the engine. Once the exhaust is out of the way, you can then remove the six bolts holding the engine/transmission structural brace.

Now that the engine is out, you can remove the oil pan bolts. You will also need to remove the oil pan at the pry points.

Remove the oil pan at pry points

To remove the oil pan at the pry points of your Saturn Sky, you will first need to remove the engine. This is not an easy task and will take a certified mechanic around 9.7 to 11.4 hours, depending on the engine type.

Once the engine is out, you can start to remove the oil pan. First, remove the oil pan bolts. Then, using a pry bar, you can remove the oil pan itself. Be careful not to damage the oil pan or the engine block during this process.

If you are not an experienced mechanic, it is recommended that you seek professional assistance for this task.

Remove the exhaust

To remove the exhaust from your Saturn Sky, you will need to first remove the belt, the crankshaft bolt, and then slide the crankshaft pulley off. Next, remove the lower engine mount and the bracket that wraps around the oil pan.

Now, to remove the exhaust itself, you will need to remove the three bolts at the exhaust manifold, the three bolts behind the catalytic converter, and the two bolts mounting the pipe to the engine.

Once the exhaust is out of the way, you can move on to removing the oil pan.

Remove the oil pan gasket

To remove the oil pan gasket from a Saturn Sky, first drain the oil and remove the oil pan from the engine. The oil pan is bolted to the engine block, so you will need to remove these bolts. On some vehicles, you may also need to raise the vehicle or remove the front subframe to access the oil pan bolts. Once the oil pan is removed, clean the mating surfaces on both the engine block and the oil pan. Apply a new gasket or sealant according to the manufacturer's instructions.

Some oil pans have a paper gasket, while others may only require an application of sealant. If your Saturn Sky has a paper gasket, be sure to obtain an appropriate replacement gasket before beginning the removal process.

When reinstalling the oil pan, be careful not to overtighten the bolts, as this can damage the oil pan and cause leaks. Also, check the oil pump pickup screen for debris and clean it if necessary. If the oil pan drain plug threads are damaged, a repair shop may be able to repair them instead of replacing the entire oil pan.

Frequently asked questions