Replacing Oil Pan Gasket: 1990 Honda Accord Guide

Replacing the oil pan gasket on a 1990 Honda Accord is a complex task that requires a range of tools and parts. The oil pan gasket is responsible for sealing the surfaces between the oil pan and the lower part of the engine block, preventing oil leaks. While it is possible to replace the oil pan gasket yourself, it is important to follow a detailed guide and have the necessary tools and parts to avoid further damage to the vehicle.

Jack up the driver's side and drain the oil

Jacking up your car is a straightforward process, but it's important to take the necessary precautions to ensure your safety and protect your vehicle from damage. Here's a detailed guide on jacking up the driver's side of a 1990 Honda Accord and draining the oil:

Locate the Jacking Points:

Consult your Honda Accord's manual or an online resource to identify the recommended jacking points for your specific model. These are crucial for safe and effective jack placement.

Ensure the Car Will Not Move:

Engage the parking brake or handbrake to prevent the car from rolling. Additionally, place blocks or bricks behind the back wheels as an extra safety measure.

Start Jacking:

Position the jack at the front of the driver's side, ensuring it's level and stable. Slowly pump the jack until the front tires on the driver's side are raised securely off the ground. Double-check the placement and vehicle stability from all angles to ensure it's secure and not leaning too far forward or backward.

Place the Car on Jack Stands:

Once the car is securely raised, place jack stands directly under the frame on the driver's side. Make sure the stands are at least as high as you need to access the undercarriage comfortably. Refer to your Honda Accord's manual for specific stand placement instructions.

Drain the Oil:

With the car securely supported on jack stands, locate the oil drain plug underneath the engine. Place a drain pan or container underneath the plug to catch the drained oil. Use a 17 mm wrench or socket to remove the oil drain plug. Allow the oil to drain completely. If the oil is still in good condition and you plan to reuse it, carefully transfer it to a clean container for storage.

Reinstall the Drain Plug:

After draining the oil, reinstall a new gasket on the drain plug. Tighten the drain plug securely, either by hand or with a wrench, ensuring it's snug and won't leak.

Now that you've jacked up the driver's side and drained the oil, you can proceed to the next steps of replacing the oil pan gasket, as outlined in the Honda Accord forum instructions. Remember to work carefully and refer to the forum instructions for further details on each step of the process.

Remove the arm under the oil pan

To remove the arm under the oil pan of a 1990 Honda Accord, you will need to locate the 5 bolts that secure the arm in place. These bolts can be found on the driver's side of the car, with 3 bolts on the bumper and 2 on the other end. Spray these bolts with a penetrating lubricant such as PB Blaster to make them easier to remove. Once the bolts are loosened, you can remove the arm that goes underneath the oil pan. This step is necessary to access and remove the oil pan itself.

It is important to note that removing the arm under the oil pan is just one part of the process of replacing the oil pan gasket. Here is a more detailed, step-by-step guide to help you through the process:

• Jack up the driver's side of the car and securely support it with jack stands.
• Remove the oil drain plug and drain the oil. If the oil is still in good condition, you can reuse it, otherwise, install new oil and a new oil filter.
• Spray penetrating lubricant on the exhaust bolts connecting to the exhaust manifold, as well as the bolts on the engine arm and the bolts connecting the exhaust to the engine.
• Remove the arm that goes underneath the oil pan. This is the step that we are focusing on, and it involves removing the 5 bolts that secure the arm in place.
• Remove the 3 10mm screws that hold the transmission plate. This is located on the right side of the oil pan when you are under the car.
• Drop the exhaust from the manifold and let it hang.
• Unbolt the 10mm screws going around the entire oil pan. Start from the slanted end and work your way back, so that the oil drains in the direction of the car's lean.
• Remove the oil pan and clean the surface, ensuring that it is dry.
• Apply a generous amount of silicone or RTV (Room Temperature Vulcanizing) sealant around the oil pan.
• Apply the gasket over the RTV, making sure to line up all the holes.
• Apply RTV on top of the gasket and let it sit for a couple of minutes.
• Install the oil pan and put all the screws in by hand, starting from the middle and tightening outwards. Do not overtighten the screws; the torque specification for the pan bolts is 10 ft-lbs.
• Reinstall the components that you removed in the reverse order and add fresh oil.

Please note that this process may vary slightly depending on the specific model of your 1990 Honda Accord, and it is important to refer to a repair manual or seek professional guidance if you are unsure about any steps.

Drop the exhaust from the manifold

Dropping the exhaust from the manifold of a 1990 Honda Accord is a crucial step when replacing the oil pan gasket. Here is a detailed guide on how to do this:

First, it is important to gather the necessary tools and materials. You will need a jack to lift the car, a 17 mm wrench or socket, a 14 mm socket, an extension, a pry bar, a 12 mm socket and ratchet, a screwdriver, and some WD-40 or a similar lubricant. It is also recommended to have jack stands and a brake bar for safety.

Next, spray the WD-40 or lubricant on the front and rear front exhaust pipe nuts to allow them to soak. Then, use the 14 mm socket, extension, and pry bar to remove these nuts. You should have six nuts to remove in total. This will help loosen the connection between the exhaust and the manifold.

Now, you will need to remove the lower bracket nuts for the front exhaust pipe to the block. These are located just behind the oil pan. Use the 12 mm socket and ratchet for this step. You may need to use the screwdriver to pry on the bracket to loosen it.

At this point, you can remove the front exhaust pipe. It may be helpful to have an extra pair of hands for this step as the pipe can be heavy. Once the pipe is removed, you can let it hang.

Finally, you can proceed with unbolting the 10mm screws going around the oil pan. Be careful not to lose these screws as you will need them later when reassembling.

When dropping the exhaust from the manifold, it is important to be cautious and take your time. Ensure that the car is securely lifted and supported by jack stands. Also, be careful not to damage any other components, such as the O2 sensor, during the process.

By following these steps, you will successfully drop the exhaust from the manifold of your 1990 Honda Accord, allowing you to access and replace the oil pan gasket.

Remove the oil pan

To remove the oil pan from a 1990 Honda Accord, you will need to have already jacked up the driver's side, sprayed the bolts with a penetrant such as WD-40 or PB Blaster, drained the oil, and changed the oil filter.

Next, remove the arm that goes underneath the oil pan. There are five bolts in total. Then, remove the three 10mm screws that hold the transmission plate. This is on the right side of the oil pan when you are under the car.

Now, drop the exhaust from the manifold and let it hang. You can then unbolt the 10mm screws going around the whole oil pan. Start on the end that is slanted down and work your way back, so the oil will go in the direction the car is leaning.

The oil pan should now be ready to remove.

Clean the oil pan and block surface

To clean the oil pan and block surface, you will need to remove the old gasket residue. This can be done with a plastic or composite scraper, being careful not to damage the metal surfaces. You can also use a rotary tool with a 3M bristle disc attachment, but be aware that this can cause depressions in the metal if too much force is applied.

Once the old gasket has been removed, clean the surfaces with a solvent to ensure they are free of any oil or dirt. It is important that the surfaces are completely dry before installing the new gasket.

If there are any metal rings on the block, make sure they do not stick up, as this can cause an oil leak. You can also use a service manual to help identify all oil-pan bolt locations and ensure that the surfaces are properly prepared.

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