Oil Pan Gaskets
 

Anyone know which is the best oil pan gasket material to use, cork or paper? I haven't dropped my pan yet and I am not one hundred percent sure I need new gaskets but I have a lot of oil leaking between the oil return pipe and the top of the oil pan. I think it's coming from either the oil pipe or the oil pan but either way I want to replace all the gaskets involved. Jim

Re: Oil Pan Gaskets
 

Use new gaskets, I don't think the old ones will seal 100% again.
I used the cork gaskets and have absolutely no oil leak. (didn't try the paper ones)

Also it makes it a lot easier if you glue the gaskets to the pan with 2 or 3 small drops of superglue before putting the pan back on.

Re: Oil Pan Gaskets
 

Thank you bav Arian, I will try the cork ones.

Re: Oil Pan Gaskets
 

I have a note on this subject:



During my engine overhaul, I used the thick cork seals for the oil pan. After about 2000 miles, the engine got a lot of oil leakage from the rear bearing seal. About 200 cc / 100 mls.
I'm now thinkin' that a thin paper seal with sealing paste would have been better because then the rear cork seal is pressed more strongly against the rear crankshaft bearing.
?

Re: Oil Pan Gaskets
 

Cork, take your time and do it right and it won't leak.
Extra care to detail on the rear, there is a right way and a wrong way to do it...do it the right way.

Re: Oil Pan Gaskets
 

If it is the oil return pipe leaking and not the oil pan then for sure just change the gaskets for the oil return pipe and don't mess with the oil pan. Wipe everything clean and check with a bright flashlight until you know where the leak is coming from.

I like to use cork.

Re: Oil Pan Gaskets
 

Thanks. I am going to do the easiest thing first by replacing the oil pipe gaskets. Do I have to drain the oil to change them? I figured not cause all the oil would be settled down in the pan.

Re: Oil Pan Gaskets
 

No need to drain the oil.

Re: Oil Pan Gaskets
 

cork

if your lucky and its just oil return pipe gasket leak. don't take the pan off just for the fun of it.

Re: Oil Pan Gaskets
 

If you can locate pan gasket that is a mix of cork and rubberized material … this is best.
Do not waste $, effort and time with ….OLD BRITTLE cork and or paper gaskets. If using these materials, at least use FRESH !

If you want the best…. as said….cork mixed with rubber.

Re: Oil Pan Gaskets
 

I put a small bit of RTV under the flat copper washers and under the heads of the bolts for the oil return pipe. Just a little extra insurance to prevent a leak.

Re: Oil Pan Gaskets
 

I have had good luck smearing a THIN coat of silicone gasket sealer on both sides of the pan gasket. I snug up the bolts, allow the sealer to cure, and then tighten the bolts. That way the silicone is in compression and not squeezed out of the joints. The bolts should be initially tightened to get 100% contact. I will clean any old gasket out but not have surgically clean parts because a very tiny film of oil will allow the gasket to release next time I have to remove the pan. Same technique on most other gaskets, but not the head.

Re: Oil Pan Gaskets
 

I like the paper gasket but the cork ones are OK too. Whatever you do, don't use the cork-rubber one!!! They swell up and leak after a little while. Found it out the hard way. The oil pan doesn't usually leak from the sides, it leaks from the rear main or front timing cover.

Re: Oil Pan Gaskets
 

I love this board.

Re: Oil Pan Gaskets
 

1. Paper gaskets are good.

2. Cork / Rubber work better IF torqued no more than about 7 foot pounds.
If too tight they are smashed and leak. Same thing with VW and GM valve cover gaskets.

3.IN THE PAST, the Black Neoprene gaskets for the glass sediment bowl are a major problem and are worthless when they turn to mush and leak when used with Ethanol gasoline.

Real bummer when you find the problem on the side of the road and do not have a spare gasket.

Re: Oil Pan Gaskets
 

The 1/8th inch neolangite rubberized cork uses oil proof nitrile rubber. I have not seen it swell.
We managed to extrude a rubber gasket out of a fork lift sump by tightening it fully whilst silicone sealant was still wet and very slippery, many years ago. Since then we do as someone else said above and partially tighten, let the silicone cure overnight and then fully tighten.
SAJ in NZ

Re: Oil Pan Gaskets
 

Has anyone used a BESTgasket brand oil pan gasket?
Are the sold by any of the vendors?.