Replacing oil pan on a 1998 Honda Accord coupe

Hello, Group:

I'm quite the novice when it comes to working on cars, but can do
minor things like change the brake pads or oil. My car is leaking
oil, and after having the oil pan gasket replaced, we suspect it's the
oil pan. I'd like to save the money and buy the oil pan and replace
it myself.

Is replacing the oil pan something that should be left the the
professionals?

Regards,

--tj

 

before you try replacing the gasket, tighten it first and use a decent
oil with seal conditioners in it. castrol worked well for me. do not
over-tighten or the pan gets bent and leaks worse.

 

It is quite a pain to replace. You'll need to remove a shield that is
part of the transmission and remove the A pipe from the exhaust
manifold. I'm not sure if I would do another one again.

 

Also check your PCV valve, it may be plugged up. Or better yet, just
replace it and the grommet.

You may need to order exhaust pipe gaskets and new self-locking nuts
for the pipes. If you can do brakes and follow instructions in Haynes
or factory manual you should have no problem.

Might want to pick up some torque wrenches (1/4" in-lb and 3/8 ft-lb
and/or 1/2 ft-lb):
http://search.harborfreight.com/cpisearch/web/search.do?keyword=torque+wrench&Submit=Go