Guest Recian Posted February 4, 2012 Share Posted February 4, 2012 I've learned now the hard way about oil pan gaskets. If you own a reatta or older V6 FWD GM you will face 3 common leaks. Valve covers, intake manifolds and oil pans. This is a warning for anyone looking to replace oil pan gaskets.If you own a reatta with over 36000 miles you can expect to see residue on the pan from a leak usually covered in road dirt. After 500 miles from my rebuild this was my oil panIt's been leaking since day 1 after the rebuild. I looked into this matter and found out why. Here was my problem. Felpro P/N: OS 30522 RTorqued to the required 13 in/lbs according to the ESM you can notice it has split from pressure, heat and vibrations and in return it was folded out not sealing at all. This is because the rubber had no backing and no support. My correction was a solid plastic gasket with rubber seal running through it that was solid just like an intake gasket. Felpro P/N: OS 30522 TIgnore the 13 in/lbs spec when installing this gasket. Tighten them with a 1/4 ratchet by hand until theyre snug and torque them around the pan until theyre all snug. You will feel them get tight against the plastic. Now i'm doing good with no leaks and engine is nice and dry. Price difference: Rubber gasket: $10.99, Plastic/rubber gasket: $29.99.3x the price but it was more than worth it to do the job right. Dont waste your money on the rubber gasket, spend the extra $20 and get the right one to avoid the aggrivations. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zoltanb Posted February 4, 2012 Share Posted February 4, 2012 Thanks for the advice, I am getting ready to do mine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest 89 Maui Posted February 4, 2012 Share Posted February 4, 2012 Thanx for the heads-up tip. This is my next nice day project on a warmer day. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2seater Posted February 4, 2012 Share Posted February 4, 2012 Good info. I didn't know it existed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Recian Posted February 4, 2012 Share Posted February 4, 2012 i didnt either until i started looking into it. Also on an un-mentioned note the ESM says to use thread-lock and you DO need to do that. Mine over time the bolts backed out and were all about 1/4 turn loose. Thread lock will remedy that Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ronnie Posted February 4, 2012 Share Posted February 4, 2012 I would like to add this info including the photos to my website. OK to use the photos Recian? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Recian Posted February 4, 2012 Share Posted February 4, 2012 that's fine. I dont mind. Add in there to "use thread-lock bolt sealant when putting bolts back in as instructed by the FSM or the bolts may back out" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ronnie Posted February 4, 2012 Share Posted February 4, 2012 Will do. Thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
padgett Posted February 4, 2012 Share Posted February 4, 2012 I use blue threadloc and not red. Will seal/lock but not as hard to remove.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KDirk Posted February 4, 2012 Share Posted February 4, 2012 Not to point out the obvious, but this same issue applies to the transmission pan gasket as well. I had a trans gasket kit I bought to do the 91, and after I opened it I promptly returned it as it was not a good quality gasket. Do spend the extra $ to get a good gasket (really this is true of any part of course) and save much aggravation in needless redo work buy trying to go the cheaper route. KDirk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Recian Posted February 5, 2012 Share Posted February 5, 2012 yeah i learned about the threadlock on my intake manifold. I always wondered why GM uses it but now i see. The bolts are barely tight now allowing the intake gasket to leak. I'm gona have to take the alternator and egr off and re-do them all with thread lock Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ronnie Posted February 5, 2012 Share Posted February 5, 2012 I've added the gasket info to ReattaOwner.com. I hope you approve of how it is written Recian. I'm sure I have made some mistakes. If anyone sees any changes that are needed or if I have made any obvious mistakes please let me know.Oil Pan Gasket Leak - Solution*-*ReattaOwner.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Recian Posted February 5, 2012 Share Posted February 5, 2012 looks good to me Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ronnie Posted February 5, 2012 Share Posted February 5, 2012 looks good to me Thanks for supplying the info and the photos. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Recian Posted February 5, 2012 Share Posted February 5, 2012 yeah my next step is to follow my advice which i learned from my mistake. Applying lock-tite to these and the intake manifold bolts lol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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