me and my butter fingers...


while i have the valve covers off, i didnt wanna lose the bolts so i was threading them back on the head and i dropped one into the engine..... i heard it hit the pan...

does anyone know of a cheap aftermarket oil pan gasket, i'm tired of ordering parts.... i just want this fixed NOW

 

I'm not quite sure how it could have fallen down to the pan. You can just use permatex right stuff many swear by it. Or just bite the bullet and spend the $35 to get a gasket from the dealer.

 

Sure it didn't roll into the valley pan? I don't think the oil galleries are big enough to let a valve cover bolt reach the oil pan.

 

That what I was saying, I can't imagine how a bolt that size can get down to the oil pan.

 

Yep. No way it would drop to the pan, and even if it were possible, no way on earth you would ever hear it. That oil in the pan would muffle anything less weighty than an anvil.

 

Get a magnet tool from the parts store and fish it out of the hole it went into.

 

Sounds like you are going to be doing your valley pan gasket.

 

i pulled the intake (i just finished installing) and removed the valley pan as soon as i lost the bolt. it wasnt there... so i turned the crank just a notch and i heard the bolt hit the empty oil pan.


since my engine is on a stand right now, i've been changing all the gaskets on my replacement motor. i wasnt going to do the oil pan, but i think i'll have to now!!


i wonder if i carefully remove the oil pan gasket, could i reuse it after its cleaned up and sealed either side with RTV?

 

03, if you slide a stong magnet along the outside of the pan, the bolt will follow to the drain hole (engine upright)

I'd pull the pan tho' (do it upright or the bolt will hide) reseal w/permatex gasket maker.
Cuz I'm nosey, & you might like to snoop around the bottom of the motor.

luck,greg

 

Didn't your 03 start out with enough issues that you felt you needed to add some more? LOL