How to Replace the Oil Pan Gasket in a Dodge Intrepid

Dodge stopped producing the Intrepid in 2004, but there are still many on the road. If you're the owner of a Dodge Intrepid, you'll want to keep an eye on things to make sure your car lasts as long as possible. This may mean changing the oil pan gasket if it wears out.

Instructions

1

Jack up the front end of the car and slide a jack stand under the vehicle. Make sure the jack stand is securely in place, and then put blocks in front of the rear wheels to keep them from rolling.

2

Slide under the car and put a drain pan under the drain plug of the oil pan. Loosen the drain plug with a socket wrench and allow all of the old oil to drain into the pan. Remove the old oil filter.

3

Disconnect the negative battery cable and remove the dipstick and its housing. Remove the collar on the rear of the oil pan. If the vehicle is equipped with engine oil cooler lines that lead to the oil pan, remove them as well, along with transmission oil cooler clips.

4

Remove the bolts holding the oil pan, and carefully remove the oil pan. Remove the old gasket. Scrape it with a putty knife if necessary, but be very careful not to scratch the surface.

5

Wipe out the oil pan with a clean cloth or paper towel, and wipe the joining surface of the oil pan with cleaning fluid or solvent. Apply a thin bead of automotive sealer and install the new gasket.

6

Replace the oil pan, tightening the bolts securely. Replace the transmission oil cooler clips, engine oil cooler lines, oil pan collar, dipstick housing and dipstick, and reconnect the negative battery cable. Install a new oil filter.

7

Take the car off the jack stand and fill the engine with the appropriate amount of SAE 10W-30 or SAE 5W-30.