OEM 2002 Dodge Dakota Oil Pan

2002 Dodge Dakota Oil Pan Parts and Q&A

• Q: How to Service and Repair an Oil Pan on 2002 Dodge Dakota?

  A: Before working on or repairing the oil pan, disconnect the negative battery cable and take out the oil dipstick. Take the vehicle up on a lift, drain the old oil, remove the exhaust pipe and disconnect the engine from the transmission with the left strut. Relax the nut on the right side engine support bracket cushion bolt, move the engine up a bit to help the oil pan go backward and slide out and then lift out the one-piece gasket. Always clean the gasket surfaces of both the block and pan, removing or cutting back any sealant overlapping the rear main cap oil pan gasket in the groove. If you see any, cut away extra sealant from inside the engine. Then clean the oil pan in solvent and wipe it dry with a clean cloth. After cleaning the oil screen and pipe with solvent, check the screen for damage. Look at the oil drain plug and plug hole for damaged or worn threads, replacing or repairing threads if needed and inspect the oil pan mounting flange for any bends or changes in shape; if so, straighten it. Once the block and pan gasket surfaces have been cleaned, cut off the heads of four 5/16 X 1 1/2 inch bolts, make a slot in the top of them and use these as alignment dowels. Position the dowels in their pockets inside the block, squeeze a little Mopar Silicone Rubber Adhesive Sealant into the corner between the cap and the block and then place the one-piece gasket over the dowels. Set the oil pan over the dowels and gasket, put in the oil pan bolts and tighten them to a torque of 24 Nm (215 inch lbs.). Put the main pipe aside and install the rest of the oil pan bolts. Tighten these bolts to the same value as the others. Placethe support cushion brackets on the engine and attach them to the block with the through-bolt nut at the recommended tightness. Screw in the drain plug and tighten it to 34 Nm (27 ft. lbs.) and then install the engine to transmission strut and the exhaust pipe. Put the vehicle down and check the details again, include dipstick, hook up the negative cable and add oil till it gets the right level in the crankcase.