3.0 oil pan removal tricks

[overthehill]

Hi,

I have an '89 that I bought new. It now has 173K miles on it and has been carefully maintained. I have noticed a "rattle" of late at maybe 2-3,00 r.p.m.s. It's not severe but noticeable. Could this be the rod bearings that I have heard so much about?

Is there an "easy" way to pull the pan? Looks a bit cramped to me. I suspect this topic has been covered by others but my searches came up with nothing I could use. Any other relevant suggestions would be appreciated.

Thanks

 

[kevinspann]

It looks much worse than it is. Once the exhaust is off, that's about it. I don't recall if the starter has to come off or not for more clearance.

Then it's just removing the bolts and smacking the pan until it breaks loose.


Where are you in Virginia?

 

[luigisho]

At that mileage I would make changing the bearings a priority. You have to take off the y-pipe to get the oil pan off. Is it 100% elbow room gravy? Well most modern car setups don't offer optimal access but it's still not bad.

Just budget out a good amount of time for a first timer run through and lots of oil dripping off the rotating assembly time to reduce the amount that drips in your eye & face.

 

[overthehill]

It looks much worse than it is. Once the exhaust is off, that's about it. I don't recall if the starter has to come off or not for more clearance.

Then it's just removing the bolts and smacking the pan until it breaks loose.


Where are you in Virginia?

I live in Harrisonburg.

 

[SHOtimer]

Removing the Y-pipe on the exhaust is the hardest part.

Then remove the starter, and the oil level sensor wire. Undo all the oil pan bolts and it comes right off.

Rod bearings would be a great idea to preserve that motor for the rest of the car's life.

I could also be the chain tensioners on the heads needed to be cleaned out. But, I would do the rod bearings anyway.

Doug