I noticed that I have an oil leak that is coming from the rear of the oil pan. My question is how hard is it to replace the oil pan gasket? The repair manual says that you have to drop the front axle. Is this necessary to replace the gasket? Any help or suggestions will be appreciated.

 

no just drop the pan,some have a cross member u might have to take dow but pretty easy, but i would get some engine bright and a power washer to be sure it the pan gasket and not the rear seal


what repair manuel? try this 1 http://www.theusermanualsite.com/man...duct_list.html

 

As said, it may be the rear seal. However in my past experience, most rear leaks have been the Valve covers.

 

Thanks guys I'll clean everything up to make sure where it is coming from. The repair manual is the one from Dodge. I have access to dealerconnect and it says to drop front drive axle.

 

First of all, what are we looking at. 2wd or 4x4, motor, year, ect?

There has been many issues with different models and years with this issue.

 

^^It is an early 99 4X4, with a 5.2.^^

 

Ok,

The engine needs to be lifted to remove the oil pan.

You should check the valve cover gaskets first before continuing.

The oil pan has a bad lip on the back that does not like to seal. There was a TB on this problem and it required the pan be replaced with the newer version. Now I know the TB was for the 5.9L 1998-1999 models but I think that the 5.2L had it as well.

Now it could be the rear main. You can try to replace it and they do make a kit but it's a pain. If you don't get it right then all the work is for nothing. You can't tell if it is going to work until the motor is back running again. The real way to do the rear main and fix the (posible) leak on the pan is to remove the trans.

It is almost worth it to have a shop do it unless you have done a kit before. But look at the bright side to it. You might be able to come out good. You just never know?