A damaged and/or leaking oil pan on your GM vehicle needs to be replaced quickly. This will not only waste engine oil, but the oil dripping outside a hot car can pose a fire risk. Disconnecting the pan itself is very much the same for any vehicle. The preparation steps beforehand, however, vary with each vehicle because of the differing engine parts that are connected to the pan.
Removing the Oil
Before working on the oil pan on any vehicle, you need to drain the oil from it. Wait until the engine is cool, then raise the vehicle on jack stands and locate the drain plug on the oil pan. Position a drain pan under the plug, remove the plug with a wrench and let the oil drain out. Remove the oil filter from the engine. Both the oil and the filter need to be properly disposed of. Make sure you know your city's ordinances for disposal of these and check with an auto supply shop to see if they will take them for disposal.
Preparation
Disconnecting the negative battery cable is a good precaution for all models. If there is a skid plate below the pan, disconnect and remove it. On mid-size trucks, you must remove the front wheels before you drain the oil. You must also disconnect the steering gear by removing its mounting bolts. On any four-wheel-drive models, disconnect the differential carrier from the pan by removing the bolts connecting the bushing to the frame. Full-size trucks require removing the starter motor.It also helps to disconnect and remove the front exhaust Y pipe as it can get in the way of the pan on these trucks. There can also be electrical connectors you must disconnect, particularly the one for the oil level sensor. Disconnect the bolts connecting the pan to the transmission. You may also need to disconnect an engine mount, requiring you to support the engine with a crane. Consulting an automotive guide for your particular model for everything you must disconnect is recommended.
Removal/Replacement
Place a floor jack underneath the oil pan and raise it up so it supports the pan. When disconnecting the bolts, start with the ones at the far end; the end away from the transmission. Continue toward the middle of the pan and stop when you reach the middle bolts. Switch to the other side of the pan, remove those bolts and continue toward the middle; the middle bolts will be last. If the pan won't come off easily after lowering the jack, tap it with a soft hammer; prying it off can damage the surface and cause leaks. Clean off all traces of the old gasket with acetone or lacquer thinner apply a new gasket or sealant to the new pan's sealing surface. Use the jack to raise the pan in place, but place a board on top of the jack to avoid damaging the pan. Apply the bolts in the reverse order of removal, then reconnect all engine parts in the reverse order of removal. Install a new oil filter and fill the vehicle with fresh oil.
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