Replacing Oil Pan Gasket On A 1.9L Escort: Step-By-Step Guide

The oil pan gasket in a car prevents oil from leaking out. Over time, the gasket will harden, dry and crack, causing an oil leak. This can lead to internal damage. The oil pan gasket can be replaced, and this can sometimes be done in a few simple steps. However, the process can be labour-intensive and messy. It is important to follow the correct procedure to avoid damaging the oil pan or causing future leaks. The oil pan gasket replacement process involves jacking and supporting the vehicle, draining the oil, removing the oil pan and gasket, cleaning the oil pan and engine block, installing the new gasket, and refilling the oil pan. The cost of replacing the oil pan gasket in a Ford Escort ranges from $542.84 to $826.03, with the parts costing around $55 and labour costing around $322.

Jack up the car and drain the oil

Jacking up the car is the first step in replacing an oil pan gasket. This is a job that can be done at home, but it does require careful attention to safety. Using a floor jack with the correct lifting capacity for your vehicle, raise the car using the appropriate lifting points. Place jack stands at the correct points to support the vehicle in the lowest setting possible for safety and stability. Slowly lower the vehicle onto the jack stands. Once lowered, leave the jack in place for safety.

Now you can drain the oil. Place a drain pan underneath the car to catch the oil. Use an oil filter wrench to remove the oil filter. Once the oil filter is removed, move the drain pan underneath the oil pan. Remove the oil drain plug and allow several minutes for the oil to drain into the pan. Dispose of the oil and filter properly.

The next step is to remove the oil pan. This is held in by ten 10mm bolts along the sides, and two 12mm bolts at the rear. The pan will probably drop loose. If not, you may need to gently tap or pry the pan away from the engine block. Once the pan is loosened, remove the remaining oil pan bolts. Remove the pan carefully so as not to damage the oil pickup located within the oil pan.

Now you can clean the area on the lower engine block where the oil pan attaches, and clean the oil pan inside and out.

Remove the oil pan and old gasket

To remove the oil pan and old gasket from your 1.9-litre Escort, follow these steps:

Firstly, jack up your car and support it with jack stands. Place these at the appropriate points to ensure safety and stability. Next, drain the oil by removing the oil filter and drain plug. Place a drain pan underneath to catch the oil. Dispose of the oil and filter properly.

Now, you can remove the oil pan bolts. Leave one bolt at each corner loosely in place and remove the others. The pan should now be loose. If not, gently tap or pry the pan away from the engine block. Once the pan is loosened, remove the remaining bolts. Carefully remove the pan, being careful not to damage the oil pickup. Clean the area on the lower engine block where the oil pan attaches, as well as the inside and outside of the oil pan with a degreaser.

To remove the old gasket, use a scraper to gently remove any gasket material from the oil pan and the engine block mounting surface. Wipe both surfaces clean and let them dry.

Clean the oil pan and engine block

To clean the oil pan and engine block, you will need to remove the oil pan. First, drain the oil. Then, remove the oil pan bolts, leaving one at each corner loosely in place. The pan will likely fall loose, but if not, gently tap or pry the pan away from the engine block. Once the pan is loosened, remove the remaining oil pan bolts and carefully take out the pan.

Now, you can begin cleaning the oil pan and engine block. First, use a plastic scraper to remove large amounts of oil from the flat surfaces. Then, spray a detergent that breaks down oil, such as Simple Green, onto the surfaces and wipe with a shop cloth or paper towel. For any hard-to-reach areas, such as fins or grooves, spray the detergent and use a shop rag to push it through. You can also try using a wire brush to clean the oil pan and engine block.

Next, remove the old gasket material from the oil pan and engine block mounting surfaces using a plastic scraper. Wipe both surfaces clean and let them dry. Finally, inspect the oil pan and engine block for any cracks or damage before reinstalling the oil pan.

Apply RTV to the oil pan mounting surface

To apply RTV to the oil pan mounting surface, start by ensuring the mounting surface is clean and dry. Use a scraper to gently remove any old gasket material or residue from the oil pan and engine block mounting surface. Wipe down both the pan and engine mounting surfaces with a cleaner or degreaser and let them dry.

Once the mounting surface is clean and dry, you can apply the RTV. Follow the directions on the RTV package and apply a thin film of RTV to the oil pan mounting surface. Allow the RTV to set for a few minutes before proceeding to the next step.

The type of RTV you use is important. It is recommended to avoid red RTV, as it can give off silica as it cures, which can get into your oil and damage your bearings. Black, grey, blue, and copper RTV are all suitable alternatives. Permatex's "The Right Stuff - for imports" is also a good option.

When applying the RTV, pay special attention to the four corner bolts and the corners of the timing cover where the timing cover gasket stops. You can also apply RTV to the oil pan gasket itself, both beneath and on top of the gasket. It is almost impossible to use too much RTV, so err on the side of using more rather than less.

After applying the RTV, follow the manufacturer's instructions for skin time before proceeding to torque the oil pan bolts and reinstall the oil pan.

Install the new gasket and pan

Now that you have removed the old gasket and cleaned the oil pan, it's time to install the new gasket and pan.

First, apply a thin film of RTV to the oil pan mounting surface, following the directions on the RTV package. Allow the RTV to set for a few minutes. Once it has set, apply the new gasket to the surface, applying even pressure all around.

If you are worried about the gasket sliding around when placing the oil pan, take a 3-4 inch length of wire and peel off the insulation. Take a few individual strands of wire and loop them through 4-6 holes in the oil pan, twisting them loosely around the gasket. Once you have loosely installed a few of the pan bolts, untwist the wire strands and remove them.

Next, insert all the oil pan bolts by hand. To avoid distorting the oil pan and future leaks, torque the oil pan bolts to the manufacturer's specifications. If you do not have a repair manual for your vehicle, your local auto parts store should be able to provide the specifications.

Now that the new gasket and oil pan are installed, you can refill the oil pan with engine oil and check for leaks. Reinstall the oil pan drain plug and new oil filter. Fill the engine with the recommended oil. Check for any obvious leaks before lowering the vehicle.

Remove the jack stands and lower the vehicle. Start the vehicle and let it run for a minute. Turn the engine off and wait a few minutes, then check the oil level. Top off if needed. Once checked, start the vehicle again and let it warm up at idle. Check for any leaks after it has warmed up and again after the vehicle has been driven.

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