How to Replace the Oil Pan Gasket in a Pontiac Bonneville

If you notice that your Pontiac Bonneville is leaving a trail of oil behind, it may mean that the oil pan gasket is worn out. Replacing the oil pan gasket is fairly involved, so set aside several hours for the job. Here's how to change the oil pan gasket on 2000 and later Pontiac Bonneville models with a 4.6-L engine.

Instructions

1

Jack up the front end of the Pontiac Bonneville, support it securely on a jack stand and block the rear wheels to keep them stable.

2

Crawl under the vehicle and locate the drain plug on the underside of the oil pan and slide a bucket under the plug. Use a socket wrench to remove the drain plug and let the oil drain into the bucket. Once the oil has drained, replace the plug.

3

Take off the front exhaust manifold pipe and disconnect the engine oil level connector. Remove the sensor and loosen the oil pan bolts. Remove the bolts with your fingers so they won't drop into the bucket.

4

Remove the oil pan and scrape off the old gasket, making sure it's completely removed. Wipe the surface with solvent, making sure all traces of oil are removed from the oil pan groove. Wipe out the inside of the oil pan.

5

Work the new gasket into the groove, working in both directions. Put the oil pan back on the crankcase and tighten the bolts securely. Install the engine oil sensor and tighten the bolts with a torque wrench to 15 feet lbs. Reconnect the connector to the oil sensor and reinstall the exhaust manifold pipe.

6

Fill the engine with clean oil and check the level with a dipstick to make sure you've added the correct amount. 2002 Bonneville models require 4.5 qt. of oil.

7

Pour the old oil into an empty milk jug and dispose of it properly at a garage or hazardous waste facility.