OEM 2001 Dodge Dakota Oil Pan

2001 Dodge Dakota Oil Pan Parts and Q&A

• Q: How to Service and Repair an Oil Pan on 2001 Dodge Dakota?

  A: Before doing any oil pan service or repair, first unhook the negative battery cable and raise up the car. Tilt the drain pan toward the engine to drain the oil. Then, unhook the exhaust pipe at the manifold and remove the exhaust hanger at the catalytic converter so the pipe lowers. Take away the starter motor and the cover over the flywheel/torque converter housing. Slide a piece of wood (2 x 2) between a jack stand and the engine vibration damper, then loosen and remove the engine mount bolts. Lift the engine with the jack stand so you can easily take out the oil pan. Remove the transmission cooler lines and oxygen sensor wires from the studs beneath the oil pan if available and then take out the oil pan bolts together with the studs before removing the oil pan and related gasket. When installing, thoroughly clean the gasket surfaces on the block and pan and create four useable alignment dowels out of 1/4 by 1 1/2 inch bolts. Fix two dowels into the timing case cover and two into the cylinder block. Spray the block at four positions with Mopar Silicone Adhesive Sealant and set the one-piece gasket onto the dowels so that it covers the dowels on the block and cover. Lay the oil pan on top of the dowels and gasket, then fix the 1/4 inch oil bolts and tighten them until they read 9.5 Nm (84 in. lbs.), followed by the 5/16 bolts until they hit 15 Nm (132 in. lbs.). Take out the dowels and attach the remaining four 1/4 inch oil pan bolts, tightening them to 9.5 Nm (84 in. lbs.). Set the engine in place on the engine mounts, fit the through bolts and snug the nuts, after which take out the jack stand and the wood. Take the time to reinstall the flywheel and torque converter housing access cover and then add the engine starter motor. Attach the exhaust pipe to both the hanger and the engine exhaust manifold and seal the oil pan drain plug according to the instructions (tighten it to 34 Nm (25 ft. lbs.). Set the car lower to the ground, reattach the negative cable to the battery and pour oil into the engine oil pan following the required level. Be extremely careful when the engine is working, never stand with your back to the fan, don't touch the belts, pulleys or fan and remember not to wear loose clothing. After all, inspect for leaks after starting the engine.