How to Replace the Oil Pan Gasket in a Saturn Ion

A trail of oil behind your Saturn Ion might mean it's time to replace the oil pan gasket. Replacing the gasket on a motor sized 2.2 L or larger is relatively simple. Here's how to change the gasket on a 2004 to 2006 Saturn Ion.

Instructions

1

Park the Saturn Ion on a level surface and set the parking brake. Raise the front of the vehicle with a jack and settle it securely on a jack stand, and block the rear wheels. Disconnect the negative battery cables before proceeding.

2

Crawl under the vehicle and put a bucket under the oil pan. Use a socket wrench to remove the oil pan bolts. Use a putty knife or a similar tool to pry the oil pan loose.

3

Wipe out the oil pan with a clean rag or a paper towel, and wipe the joining surface with solvent to be sure all the old gasket has been removed. If any remains, the new gasket won't seal.

4

Put a thin bead of RTV sealer to the inner surface of the oil pan flange. Replace the oil pan immediately before the sealer sets up. Tighten the bolts with your fingers and torque them to 18 ft. lb.

5

Reattach the negative battery cable.

6

Jack up the vehicle enough to slide out the jack stand. Fill the engine with 4 qt. of clean oil, then check the level with a dipstick and add more oil if necessary. 2005 Saturn Ions require 4 to 6 qt. of oil, depending on the size of the motor.

7

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