The oil pan is on the bottom of the engine in the 1999 Chrysler LHS. The location of makes it subject to abuses from the road such as potholes. When you hit a pothole or a speed bump at a fast speed, chances are your oil pan is going to hit the pavement and have a dent in the best case, but it will usually receive a hole in the pan. Changing the oil pan on your car is something that the do-it-yourself mechanic can take care of in the garage or driveway.
Instructions
- 1
Remove the dipstick from the tube and set it aside. Clean any excess oil using a shop towel. Remove the dipstick tube from the engine, pulling it straight out.
2Place a set of wheel chocks behind the rear wheels of the Chrysler. Set the parking brake in the car. Raise the front of the vehicle using an automobile jack. Place jack stands under the car and raise them to the frame of the vehicle. Lower the automobile jack enough so that the car is resting on the jack stands.
3Remove the collar from the back of the oil pan and the housing of the transmission using a socket and ratchet. Place a drain pan under the oil pan to catch the oil. Remove the oil plug from the oil pan using a socket and ratchet. Disconnect the oil cooler line from the oil pan using a wrench.
4Disconnect the clips from the transmission oil cooler line. Remove the oil pan from the engine using a socket and ratchet to remove the bolts. Remove the old gasket from the oil pan mounting surface. Use a scraper to lightly scrape around the area to make sure the old gasket is gone. Remove the old oil filter and install the new one. Place a light coat of oil onto the rubber gasket of the new oil filter to help it seal properly.
5Clean the oil pan mounting surface with some clean shop towels. Place a bead of silicone rubber sealant about 1/8 inch wide at the seam of the oil pump housing and rear seal retainer. Place a new gasket on the oil pan mounting surface and install the oil pan. Tighten the oil pan bolts using a socket and ratchet.
6Install the structural collar at the back of the oil pan and the transmission housing. Install the vertical collar to oil pan bolts and torque to 10 inch-pounds using an inch-pound torque wrench. Install the collar to transmission bolts and tighten those to 40 foot-pounds using a foot-pound torque wrench. Start with the vertical bolts at the center and finally torque all of the bolts to 40 foot-pounds with the foot-pound torque wrench.
7Raise the Chrysler with the automobile jack high enough to remove the jack stands. Lower the car to the ground and remove the automobile jack. Install the dipstick tube and dipstick into the engine. Use some engine oil on the bottom of the dipstick tube so it will slide into place easily. Refill the engine with fresh oil.
