MJfan94 Posted January 14, 2015 Posted January 14, 2015 So I'm replacing the rear main seal but I have run into a problem. My oil pan is stuck to the engine block. I tried to the side of the pan with a mallet, used a scraper and could only get to the front corner loose because of spacing i can't get the scraper and hammer where I need it. Is there any other method of getting the pan off because I can't think of any other method and i really want to get this project done with.
benjy_26 Posted January 14, 2015 Posted January 14, 2015 I just rapped mine all around with a rubber mallet until it came off.
ggcnash Posted January 14, 2015 Posted January 14, 2015 I just rapped mine all around with a rubber mallet until it came off.Same here
MJfan94 Posted January 14, 2015 Author Posted January 14, 2015 I just rapped mine all around with a rubber mallet until it came off.Same here I'll try a mallet again but where would recommend hitting the pan because i was hitting as close to where the pan has 90 degree angles
ggcnash Posted January 14, 2015 Posted January 14, 2015 Must be pretty cold where u at? You got the rite idea just keep working it
ParadiseMJ Posted January 14, 2015 Posted January 14, 2015 I had the same problem. Worked it with a mallet, a small pry bar, etc. I used some "gasket remover". Sprayed it along the seam all the way around, went in the house for lunch, came out 45 minutes later and the pan had fallen off. Worked great but the stuff itself is nasty, stinky chemical. Wear gloves and some eye protection. It takes a lot of work out of cleaning the oil pan and old gasket material too.
Rockfrog Posted January 14, 2015 Posted January 14, 2015 My pan hung on like it was part of the block ... obviously it had never been off before. I hammered it with a rubber mallet all over and spent the most time working the drop from the drivers side. Actually put a dent in it before it moved and had to hammer it back out once it was off. I had the front axle and control arms removed at the time so had loads of room to go nuts about it.
ScottJeep Posted January 14, 2015 Posted January 14, 2015 ^^^^ What Rockfrog ^^^^ said. I thought I would never get it off. Had to take the same steps. Third one for me. But after everything ( valve, oil adapter, pan, rear main ) no leaks.
1987Comanche Posted January 14, 2015 Posted January 14, 2015 I tried everything on Maura's oil pan. I ended up having to slowly work a screwdriver in between the pan & block on the pass side and physically hang on the screwdriver to get the pan free. It wasn't pretty and I had to rework the gasket lip on the pan after it came free. Considering how much the thing leaked you'd think it would have fallen right off...
MJfan94 Posted January 15, 2015 Author Posted January 15, 2015 Still can't seem to get my pan off, I have manage to break two flat heads and a metal scraper and the rubber mallet does not seem to do a lot of good. Are there any other methods because this job is starting to make me really frustrated.
ggcnash Posted January 15, 2015 Posted January 15, 2015 I had the same problem. Worked it with a mallet, a small pry bar, etc. I used some "gasket remover". Sprayed it along the seam all the way around, went in the house for lunch, came out 45 minutes later and the pan had fallen off. Worked great but the stuff itself is nasty, stinky chemical. Wear gloves and some eye protection. It takes a lot of work out of cleaning the oil pan and old gasket material too. Try this
MJfan94 Posted January 15, 2015 Author Posted January 15, 2015 I had the same problem. Worked it with a mallet, a small pry bar, etc. I used some "gasket remover". Sprayed it along the seam all the way around, went in the house for lunch, came out 45 minutes later and the pan had fallen off. Worked great but the stuff itself is nasty, stinky chemical. Wear gloves and some eye protection. It takes a lot of work out of cleaning the oil pan and old gasket material too. Try this i will
87MJTIM Posted January 15, 2015 Posted January 15, 2015 This may sound like a dumb question, but, are sure all of the bolts are off? :dunce:
Minuit Posted January 15, 2015 Posted January 15, 2015 Had this problem recently on my oil pan. Apparently gaskets don't like to be disturbed after almost 25 years of sitting in the same place. I wasn't going to reuse the oil pan so I went crazy with a prybar (without nicking the block). I practically destroyed the oil pan by the time it finally let go. Spraying gasket remover and letting it do the work for you would probably be the better idea.
MJfan94 Posted January 15, 2015 Author Posted January 15, 2015 This may sound like a dumb question, but, are sure all of the bolts are off? :dunce: Yeah, I made sure all the bolts are off. I'm messing with a 26 year old original gasket, you would think it would be easier to remove the pan.
MJfan94 Posted January 15, 2015 Author Posted January 15, 2015 I had the same problem. Worked it with a mallet, a small pry bar, etc. I used some "gasket remover". Sprayed it along the seam all the way around, went in the house for lunch, came out 45 minutes later and the pan had fallen off. Worked great but the stuff itself is nasty, stinky chemical. Wear gloves and some eye protection. It takes a lot of work out of cleaning the oil pan and old gasket material too. What brand of gasket remover did you use?
xjrev10 Posted January 15, 2015 Posted January 15, 2015 I had a heck of time getting mine off when I did the RMS in my MJ. I ran a 2x4 through the wheelwell after trying everything and one wack with a 4lb hammer on the end of board, came right off.
Tactical Bacon Posted January 15, 2015 Posted January 15, 2015 I want to say Permatex makes some. I think we have it for like 7 bucks at Advance. Also, you might try some heat on it.
gogmorgo Posted January 15, 2015 Posted January 15, 2015 I'd be careful putting heat on a pan full of oil or residue... Seems like it could be a recipe for a bad time.
ParadiseMJ Posted January 16, 2015 Posted January 16, 2015 Yep, Permatex. I don't remember if it has the little red straw to spray into cracks, but that would certainly help with overspray and get the stuff into the seam (did I mention it's some nasty s***?). Anyhoo, spray it all along the seam and let it do it's work
Rockfrog Posted January 16, 2015 Posted January 16, 2015 I used the prermatex stuff to remove the gasket residduals off the block and pan. Nasty is right, the stuff is basicly yellow top easy off in a different can. Keep some clean water handy if you tend to be clumsy.
metrictonner Posted January 17, 2015 Posted January 17, 2015 If you are talking about a 4.0 AMC the first time removal is a project. I used a heavy 3 inch paint scraper and a ball peen hammer starting at the back right and going forward. Just drive the edge of the scraper in and then forward staying as close to the edge as possible especially around the oil pump. When you get the right side done you can wedge a gasket scraper in and the whole thing should pop right off. I never found a solvent that would work on that mastic just use a gasket scraper on the block and pan.
Motorcharge Posted January 17, 2015 Posted January 17, 2015 Last time I had to remove one I pushed a trim removal tool (plastic) through one side then wrapped fishing line around two bolts and pulled it through starting where I'd loosened it with the trim tool. Cut right through with no risk of damaging either surface. You can pry it off, just use something that's soft and not going to gouge either surface.
ggcnash Posted January 17, 2015 Posted January 17, 2015 Last time I had to remove one I pushed a trim removal tool (plastic) through one side then wrapped fishing line around two bolts and pulled it through starting where I'd loosened it with the trim tool. Cut right through with no risk of damaging either surface. You can pry it off, just use something that's soft and not going to gouge either surface.Good idea!
SW86 Posted January 17, 2015 Posted January 17, 2015 I used gasket remover and a scraper. That gasket remover will burn like crazy if you get it on you.
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now