Removing Oil Pan From Chevy Cobalt: Step-By-Step Guide

Removing the oil pan from a Chevy Cobalt is a fairly straightforward process, but it requires careful attention to detail and a number of steps. First, you'll need to drain the engine oil and remove the engine drive belt. Then, you'll need to remove any bolts holding the oil pan in place, as well as any other components that may be blocking access to the oil pan, such as the AC compressor bolt or the intercooler pump bracket bolts. With all the bolts removed, you can then gently pry the oil pan off, being careful not to damage the gasket. It's important to clean the old gasket off the oil pan and the engine block before installing the new oil pan with a new gasket. Finally, you can re-install the engine drive belt, lower the vehicle, and fill the engine with oil.

Drain the engine oil

To drain the engine oil from your Chevy Cobalt, follow these steps:

• Park your car on a level surface and apply the parking brake.
• Raise the front of your car using a jack and secure it on jack stands. Ensure the car is stable and secure before proceeding.
• Locate the oil pan drain bolt at the lowest point of the engine. Place a drain pan or container underneath the bolt to catch the draining oil.
• Using the appropriate-sized wrench or socket, loosen and remove the drain bolt. Allow the oil to drain completely.
• Once drained, reinstall the drain bolt. Ensure it is tightened securely, but be careful not to overtighten it, as the oil pan is made of aluminum and can be damaged.
• Lower the vehicle and remove the jack stands.

It is important to dispose of the used engine oil responsibly. You can take it to a local auto repair shop, recycling center, or a facility that accepts used motor oil. Do not pour it down the drain or into storm sewers, as it can contaminate water and harm the environment.

Remove the engine drive belt

To remove the engine drive belt on a Chevy Cobalt, follow these steps:

Firstly, remove the air box and use a ratchet to turn the belt tensioner counter-clockwise from the top. Keep pressure on the tensioner as you do this. This will make it so the belt can be removed. Lowering the tool can be awkward, so it is recommended to do this from the bottom.

Now, to the bottom of the engine. Remove the left-side tire and mudguard and use jack stands for safety. Have an assistant stand on the top side to keep the belt on the alternator while you work from below. It is a very tight space to reach up from the bottom, so you will need someone at the top to keep the belt on and maybe slide their hand down to nudge the belt under the tensioner if required.

Now, to mount a new belt. Put the belt over the alternator (located at the top) first. Then, put the belt around the AC compressor (located on the bottom right) and then wrap the belt around the crankshaft (the big black wheel on the bottom left) as far as it can go—about 9 on a clock if the crankshaft pulley was the face of a clock. Then, put tension on the tensioner with the ratchet, and the belt will go over the rest of the crankshaft easily and should fall into place under the tensioner, which has no edges like the other pulley wheels.

Let go of the ratchet, and the belt is changed.

Some additional tips:

• Local shops charge around $200 for this job, which takes them 1.5 hours.
• Belts range from $15-$50 and need to be changed every 60-100k miles.
• Change the automatic belt tensioner on the Chevy Cobalt because it has a spring that provides tension. It has a single bolt holding it on and an access hole in the wheel well.
• Be careful when replacing the top of the air filter housing because it is stubborn, and if you drop it, dirt from the housing can get onto the top of the filter and then be pulled into the engine.
• Clean your throttle body while doing this since it is easy to unbolt. Wear heavy protection gloves and goggles and use a can of cleaner.
• If you value your shoes, put a bag on your left foot because you will be getting sideways as you remove the mudguard.
• Don't touch your MAF Sensor (the slim electrical thing plugged into the air tube). It's an electrical sensor made of plastic housed in your air intake filter tube.

Remove the AC compressor bolt

To remove the AC compressor bolt on a Chevy Cobalt, you will need to follow a few steps. Firstly, it is important to raise and support the vehicle. This can be done by using a jack to lift the car and placing jack stands underneath for support. Once the car is securely raised, the next step is to drain the engine oil. This will ensure that no oil spills out during the removal process.

After draining the oil, the engine drive belt will need to be removed. This is necessary as the AC compressor is driven by the serpentine belt or drive belt, and removing it will relieve tension and allow access to the compressor. The AC compressor bolt can then be removed, followed by the oil pan bolts, and finally, the oil pan itself.

It is worth noting that this process may vary slightly depending on the year and model of your Chevy Cobalt. Some models may have additional components that need to be removed for access, such as the passenger-side wheel and splash guards, as well as the plastic engine cover. Additionally, when removing the oil pan, it is crucial to be cautious and ensure that all bolts are removed to avoid damaging the flange.

When removing the AC compressor bolt and oil pan, it is always a good idea to refer to a repair manual or seek advice from a certified technician if you are unsure about any steps.

Remove the oil pan bolts

To remove the oil pan bolts from a Chevy Cobalt, you will first need to raise and support the vehicle. Drain the engine oil, and remove the engine drive belt. You will also need to remove the lower AC compressor bolt.

Now, you can remove the oil pan bolts. There are a lot of bolts, and they can be tricky to spot, so take your time and be methodical. Some sources suggest there are 14 bolts, while others say there are more. Some are well-hidden, so be sure to get in there with a light and look at every angle. There is one bolt in particular that is hard to see, which takes an elbow and an extension to get to.

There are also some "big daddy bolts" that go sideways through the pan towards the driver's side of the engine. You will need to remove all of the bolts before you can remove the oil pan.

Remove the oil pan

To remove the oil pan from a Chevy Cobalt, follow these steps:

Firstly, make sure you have the correct tools and safety equipment. You will need a jack to raise the car, and a container to catch the drained oil. Safety goggles and gloves are also recommended.

Now, follow these steps:

• Raise and support the vehicle.
• Remove the engine drive belt.
• Remove the lower AC compressor bolt.
• Remove the oil pan bolts.
• Remove the oil pan.

It is important to note that you should drain the engine oil before removing the oil pan. Some sources also recommend removing the engine mount strut bracket, and the oil filter.

The oil pan is located at the bottom of the engine. To remove it, simply unscrew the bolts and pry it off. Be sure to remove every bolt, as some may be hidden from certain angles.

Some Chevy Cobalt models may have additional steps, such as removing the intercooler pump bracket bolts from the oil pan. Always be sure to consult a repair manual or a trusted mechanic if you are unsure.

Frequently asked questions