99 I4 Oil pan gasket? How hard is it to DIY?

[moocow]

Ok so I have noticed a small puddle of oil on my driveway, it seems to be right under my oil pan. I went under the car and felt around the oilpan... I definitely get slick oil on my fingers when I rubbed around the oil pan. My best guess is the gasket needs to be changed. I already did a search and it appeared most problems were related to oil pump, not oil pan gasket, and other issues had sludge buildup on the back of the engine, I don't see any of that on mine. And yes my oil levels drop rather quickly. It seems to trickle oil over time, its not like I dump quarts of oil in and it dumps all over the ground. Its just dripping slowly.

I'm wondering if I jack the car up on stands on the front side, can I remove the oil pan rather easily? I know it kinda goes under the exhaust near the flex pipe. Easy DIY project in a few hours? Any guides out there?

[MIC0417]

An hour at most

[moocow]

Will I find the gasket at a pepboys or autozone? Or is it the gasket sealer in a tube that I have to apply like caulking sealer?

[moocow]

I went to the shop and got RTV Silicone, which is what the Hayes Manual says. Also, I just jacked up the car and took a look underneath, the oil was sprayed everywhere, the oilpan is covered in oil, and the drive axles. Is there a way to definitely be sure that its the oil gasket? What about the oil pump? Can that leak too? Also what do I have to undo, the exhaust headers so I can make way for the one side of the oilpan thats slightly covered by it? The manual says to do it but I was wondering if anyone knew of a shortcut or better recommendations.

[Tom 2000]

Go the the self service car wash, spray degreaser on the underside (around the oil pan, transmission pan, etc.. and then pressure wash off the gunk as best as you can.

After you confirmed everything is spic and span, drive it for a while to see if you can spot leaks.

Note: You might as well clean the whole engine compartment from the top while you are there at the car wash. The leak could be coming from somewhere higher up.

[moocow]

I see then. Should I remove the splash guards before I spray it down? Its not leaking too fast, so I have some time to plan this.

Thanks for the help so far guys.

[Camryamnesty]

You have to take the down pipe down and out of the way.
Look at the metal guard for the transmission (right next to the oil pan on the bottom) Check and see if there is a piece of foam blocking a couple bolts. if there is:
You have to remove the support bracket for the exhaust (bolted to the tranny 1 14mm bolt and 1 12mm bolt)
You have to remove the front bracket which is held on by 3 14mm bolts 2 are bolted to the tranny, and 1 is bolted to the block.
Remove that, then remove the black metal guard bolted to the transmission by 2 10mm bolts. Should be able to get all the 10mm bolts holding the oil pan on.

(I just did mine today)

[moocow]

Yup, I felt around w/ my hand and indeed there is foam.

Oh well, pretty much what I had originally thought. Wasn't gonna get way with too easy of a job. If only Toyo just moved it an inch away so I could actually just undo the bolts on the oil pan and nothing else.

[moocow]

OK... so I took off the splash guard after some dremeling of rusty, scraped up bolts. Well after removing it, it looks like I need an extension rod for my socket wrench. Did you guys use an extension adapter? How long?