For 1990-2009 cars

# Engine Oil Pan/Gasket Leak (Seal with RTV Sealant)

Subject: | Engine Oil Pan Leak (Seal with RTV Sealant)

Models: | 1995-2001 Buick LeSabre, Park Avenue

| 1996-1999 Buick Riviera

| 1996-2001 Buick Regal

| 1997-2001 Buick Century

| 1998-2000 Chevrolet Lumina

| 1998-2001 Chevrolet Monte Carlo

| 2000-2001 Chevrolet Impala

| 1995-1996 Oldsmobile Ninety-Eight

| 1995-1999 Oldsmobile Eighty-Eight

| 1998-1999 Oldsmobile Intrigue

| 1995-2001 Pontiac Bonneville

| 1996-2000 Pontiac Grand Prix

| with 3.8 L V6 Engine (VINs K, 1 -- RPOs L36, L67) and Stamped Steel Oil Pan

This bulletin is being revised to change the procedure for greater ease of installation. Please discard Corporate Bulletin Number 01-06-01-008 (Section 06--Engine).

### Condition

Some owners may comment on a repeat engine oil pan leak.

### Cause

The engine oil pan leak may be due to an uneven (rippled) sealing surface on the oil pan.

### Correction

Seal the leak with RTV sealant using the following procedure:

1. Remove the oil pan from the engine. Follow the oil pan removal instructions found in the Engine Mechanical section of the Service Manual.
2. Remove the old RTV sealant from the engine block at the joint face sealing surfaces and the oil pan. Use only a plastic or metal scraper as described in Corporate Service Bulletin # 00-06-01-012.

Important: Ripples which appear in the oil pan sealing rail surfaces of the oil pan will not affect sealability when using this procedure. Do not replace the oil pan for this condition.

3. Inspect the oil pan sealing rail surface for bends or distortion which would affect sealability.
4. Clean the engine block and oil pan mating surfaces using a solvent that leaves no residue, such as P/N 12346139 (in Canada, P/N 10953463), or equivalent.

Important: In the steps that follow, it is strongly recommended to use a 5 oz. (142 ml) RTV sealant cartridge and a hand-actuated caulking gun. This will help assure that a continuous bead of RTV sealant will be applied to the gasket surfaces.

5. Use a new oil pan gasket and windage tray assembly, P/N 24502397.
6. See the illustration above. Apply a continuous 1/4 inch bead of 5900 RTV sealant, P/N 12346286, on the top of the new gasket. Apply RTV sealant directly over the gasket's raised sealing bead.
7. Install the oil pan gasket and windage tray assembly to the cylinder block. RTV will hold assembly in place temporarily.
8. Install the oil pump pipe and screen assembly.

Tighten
Tighten the oil pump pipe and screen bolts to 15 N·m (11 lb ft).

9. See the illustration above. Apply a continuous 1/4 inch bead of 5900 RTV sealant, P/N 12346286, to the bottom of the new gasket. Apply the RTV sealant directly over the gasket's raised sealing bead.
10. Install the oil pan on the engine.

Tighten
Tighten the oil pan retaining bolts to 14 N·m (124 lb in).

11. Follow the remaining oil pan installation instructions found in the Engine Mechanical section of the Service Manual.
12. Before adding engine oil, allow the RTV to set for 30 minutes.
13. Add the proper amount of engine oil, then verify on the dipstick.
14. Run the engine and verify the repair.

### Parts Information

Part Number | Description | Qty
--- | --- | ---
12563240 | Assembly, Engine Oil Pan | 1
24502397 | Gasket, Engine Oil Pan | 1
12346286 | Sealant, 5900 RTV, 5 oz. (142 ml) | 1
12346139 (10953463 in Canada) | Solvent, Aerosol Spray | 1

Parts are currently available from GMSPO.

### Warranty Information

For vehicles repaired under warranty, use:

Labor Operation | Description | Labor Time
--- | --- | ---
J1000 | Oil Pan, Engine R and R | Use Published Labor Time*
*An additional 0.1 hr may be claimed using this labor operation for application of RTV sealant.