Removing Oil Pan From '99 Blazer: Step-By-Step Guide

To remove the oil pan from a 99 Chevy Blazer, you'll need to lift the right-front side of the vehicle, drain the oil, and remove the bolts from the oil pan. You may also need to remove the front differential or pull the engine. It's recommended to refer to a Chevy repair guide for detailed instructions and safety information.

Jack up the car and drain the oil

Jacking up your car and draining the oil is a simple task that can be done at home, but it's important to take the necessary precautions to ensure your safety and protect your vehicle. Here's a detailed guide on how to do it:

Find a Safe Location:

Before you start, find a safe and level surface away from traffic where you can work on your car. If you can access a parking lot, that would be ideal. If you're on a highway, exit and find a quiet road or solid ground to work on. Make sure the surface is firm and level to support the weight of your car and prevent the jack from sinking or leaning.

Secure Your Vehicle:

Turn off the engine and put your 99 Blazer in park with the parking brake engaged. For added safety, use a brick, a piece of wood, or a large rock to block the tire diagonally opposite the corner you plan to jack up. For example, if you're jacking up the right front, block the left rear tire. This provides extra insurance against the car rolling off the jack.

Locate the Jack and Jacking Points:

The jack is typically stored in the trunk or cargo area of your SUV. Once you've found it, identify the jacking points on your 99 Blazer's body, which are reinforced metal ribs designed to safely lift the vehicle. On most cars, there are four jacking points located under the rocker panels, behind the front wheels, and ahead of the rear wheels. Refer to your owner's manual for exact locations.

Position the Jack:

Most car jacks have a slot that slips onto the jack point's reinforced rib. However, your vehicle may have a different setup, so consult your owner's manual to understand how your jack works with the jacking point. You may need to adjust the jack's height to fit under the car before lifting.

Jack Up the Car:

Now, you can start jacking up the car. Turn the jack handle clockwise slowly until the desired tire is off the ground. Ensure that the jack remains straight up and down during the lifting process. Take your time and be cautious. If you need to work under the car, it's crucial to use a jack stand for added safety. Place the jack stand near the rocker panel and snug it up against the body of the car. This provides extra support and prevents the car from falling if the jack slips or fails.

Drain the Oil:

With the car securely jacked up, it's time to drain the oil. Place an oil receptacle, such as a five-gallon bucket or oil drain pan, underneath the oil pan to catch the drained oil. Loosen and remove the drain plug with the appropriate wrench, being careful not to let it fly off as the oil starts flowing. Allow the oil to drain for about five minutes or until the flow slows to a trickle.

Remember to work cautiously and refer to your owner's manual or seek advice from a certified mechanic if you have any doubts or concerns.

Disconnect the negative battery cable

To remove the oil pan from a 99 Blazer, you must first disconnect the negative battery cable. Here is a detailed, step-by-step guide on how to do this:

Step 1: Turn Off the Car

Before beginning any work on your vehicle, it is essential to turn off the engine and remove the key from the ignition. This is a simple yet crucial step to ensure your safety.

Step 2: Locate the Battery

The battery is typically found under the hood of your car. Open the hood and secure it with the hood stand. In most cars, the battery is located near the front of the engine, but sometimes it may be positioned at the side or underneath another engine component. If necessary, carefully manoeuvre around any obstructions to access the battery.

Step 3: Identify the Negative Cable

You will see two cables attached to the battery—one black and one red. The black cable is the negative cable, and the red one is positive. Do not touch the red, positive cable during this process. Both cables are usually attached to the battery using a spring clamp, a squeeze bolt, or directly bolted to the battery terminal.

Step 4: Disconnect the Negative Cable

To remove the negative cable, squeeze the clamp and gently wiggle the cable back and forth until it releases from the battery. Be careful not to let the cable touch the battery after it is detached, as this could reactivate the electrical system. Hang the cable away from the battery, taping it in place if necessary, to ensure it doesn't accidentally make contact. Typically, the cable should be long enough to hang over the outside of the hood and down the side of the car.

Step 5: Reattach the Cable

Once you have completed the necessary work on your vehicle, you will need to reconnect the negative battery cable. Simply reverse the removal process, ensuring that you securely attach the negative cable to the battery terminal.

Remember to wear appropriate safety gear, such as safety goggles and gloves, when working on your car. Disconnecting and reconnecting the negative battery cable is a straightforward task, but it is essential for your safety and to prevent any potential damage to your vehicle's electrical system.

Remove the oil level indicator tube

To remove the oil level indicator tube, you must first remove the negative battery cable. Next, you should raise the vehicle and support it with safety stands. Then, remove the front underbody shield, followed by the wiring harness bracket at the right side of the oil pan. After this, you can remove the left and right engine mount through bolts, and then raise the engine and block it in position.

Now you can remove the front drive axle through bolts, followed by the front propeller shaft. You can then roll the differential forward and remove the oil pan bolts, nuts, and reinforcements, as well as the rubber bell housing plugs. You should also inspect the gasket surfaces on the engine and oil pan, and the oil pan gasket for damage, replacing it if necessary.

To remove the oil level indicator tube, you must first remove the oil dipstick. Then, remove the oil level indicator tube bolt. If the engine oil level is at maximum, oil may emerge while removing the oil dipstick guide tube. Finally, remove the oil level indicator tube and the oil level indicator seal.

Remove the front underbody shield

To remove the front underbody shield of a 99 Blazer when replacing the oil pan, follow these steps:

• Disconnect the negative battery cable.
• Remove the oil level indicator tube.
• Raise the vehicle and support it with safety stands.
• Remove the front underbody shield.
• Disconnect the wiring harness bracket at the right side of the oil pan.
• Remove the left and right engine mount through-bolts.
• Raise the engine and block it in position.

Once the front underbody shield is removed, you can continue with the next steps to remove the oil pan:

• Remove the front drive axle through-bolts.
• Remove the front propeller shaft.
• Roll the differential forward.
• Remove the oil pan bolts, nuts, and reinforcements.
• Remove the rubber bell housing plugs.
• Inspect the gasket surfaces on the engine and oil pan for damage and replace the gasket if necessary.

These steps will allow you to safely remove the front underbody shield and proceed with the oil pan replacement on your 99 Blazer.

Remove the wiring harness bracket

To remove the wiring harness bracket, you must first disconnect the negative battery cable. Next, remove the oil level indicator tube. Then, raise the vehicle and support it with safety stands. After that, remove the front underbody shield. Now, you can remove the wiring harness bracket at the right side of the oil pan.

Frequently asked questions