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Oil leak on Honda Civic 2001 LX

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Old Jun 21, 2011 | 06:41 AM
  #1  
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Default Oil leak on Honda Civic 2001 LX

Hello,

We found another problem with my Honda Civic 2001 LX Sedan.
There seems to be a "slow" leak on the Oil Pan and went to a couple of car repair shops and indicated it's the OIL PAN GASKET. I went to the "STEALERSHIP" for the OEM Honda Oil Pan Gasket and was priced at around $41. Are the other brands from like Advance Auto Parts good as well? Their price are half than Honda's OEM.

Will I be able to replace the Oil Pan Gasket myself? Any recommendations on what to do after I purchase the replacement part? Is it easy to replace?
I've been searching for videos KNOW HOW and couldn't find anything close to a Honda Civic 2001.

I would appreciate all suggestions and comments.
I cannot pay a lot of $$$$$ from the "stealership" and I'm hoping I can replace it myself.

Thank you!

Jdawgz
 
Old Jun 21, 2011 | 07:15 AM
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Ask yourself "How much oil can I buy for $41?"

Oil pan gasket replacement is about the same on any car. You will need to work from under the car (obviously) and also disconnect the exhuast pipe to lower it out of the way of removing the pan. This can be a headache because the nuts holding the pipe flange to the manifold are always extremely rusty. I assume you have a steel oil pan (some Civics have aluminum alloy). On the steel pans you must be careful not to over-tighten the bolts or the pan will bend and cause leaks.
 
Old Jun 21, 2011 | 07:27 AM
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That means I have to drain out all the oil first? After that I have to take out the entire oil pan and lower the exhaust pipe out?

I will be careful not to over-tighten the screws on the oil pan.

I appreciate your help on issue.

Thanks!
 
Old Jun 21, 2011 | 07:39 AM
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Correct.

-Drain oil (let it drain for awhile).
-While the oil is draining, remove the exhaust pipe (or spray the bolts with PB Blaster so they will come loose when you try.)
-Once the pipe is off and the oil is drained, use a ratchet and (I assume) a 10mm socket to remove all of the nuts and screws holding the oil pan on.
-Pull the oil pan off and remove the old gasket. The gasket may be stuck to the oil pan, or it may be stuck to the block. (More likely, stuck to the oil pan.)
-clean the surfaces of both the oil pan and the block
-it is highly recommended that you apply liquid gasket to the mating surfaces of the oil pan and the block
-put the new gasket onto the oil pan, then raise it up to the engine block.
-Add all screws and nuts back to the oil pan and tighten in sequence. Be careful not to overtighten, as mk378 stated. The pan will bend and cause leaks. You should tighten in the sequence recommended by Honda, which typically starts in the middle, then goes diagonally across to the other side, then back and forth until you get all of them tightened down.
 
Old Jun 21, 2011 | 07:51 AM
  #5  
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Thank you guys so much for your input on this! I appreciate it!

Will the entire exhaust pipe have to come out from front to back? or would it be just enough in the front?

Is it better to but the OIL PAN GASKET at Advance Auto Parts instead of the HONDA "STEALERSHIP"? Would it be the same quality and half the price?

So for the liquid gasket, I have to apply it on all sides of the OIL PAN GASKET and on the OIL PAN mating? Will they have this at Advance Auto Parts?

Once I have the NEW OIL PAN GASKET with the LIQUID GASKET, how long would I need to wait before putting back new OIL? Should I let the entire unit dry out first before I mount it back?


Thanks guys!

Appreciate it!

JDawg
 
Old Jun 21, 2011 | 10:20 AM
  #6  
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Disconnect the exhaust pipe from the manifold on the front of the engine. Unbolt it from its brackets on the front and back of the engine. The pipe will then hang down far enough that you can remove the oil pan. Once you have cleaned the old gasket off, check the lip of the pan for flatness with a straightedge. Do not try to reuse the oil that was drained out, too much risk of getting dirt in your engine. Refill it with new oil.
 
Old Jun 21, 2011 | 10:52 AM
  #7  
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Thank you very much... I will give it a try this weekend...

I'm going to Advance Auto Parts and get the Felpro Oil Pan Gasket Set.
Will this be ok?
Are the Honda OEM the same type?

Thanks again!
 
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