oil pan gasket experience needed

[sparkrn]

After a wonderful 1000 miles going to NVE, my 2002 Gen 2 has unfortunately developed an oil pan leak. Does anyone know which brand gasket is best? Should I use a sealant with this gasket, or not? I would appreaciate any tricks that you may know of to successfully reseal the pan. Also, where would you recommend purchasing the gasket. Thanks, Matt

[SNKEBIT]

Dealer. A little dab of RTV black in the seams where the front cover meats the block and same at rear where seal cover hits block.

[Ron]

Dealer. A little dab of RTV black in the seams where the front cover meats the block and same at rear where seal cover hits block.

Exactly -

Note though that many oil leaks "look" like they are coming from the pan gasket but are traveling from elsewhere. Took me a while to figure that out.

[Troublemaker]

Exactly -

Note though that many oil leaks "look" like they are coming from the pan gasket but are traveling from elsewhere. Took me a while to figure that out.

Agreed. I just had a rear main seal done on my car last week that I thought was the oil pan gasket for months.

[uvbnbit]

Seems there was a Gen2 year that had "porous pan syndrome"? Don't think it was '02 though.

[swexlin]

I have an 03, but my buddy and I did mine last February. I ordered my gasket from VPA. Had an slight oil seepage for a couple years, that we couldn't track down (top of engine dry). He and I did the gasket on his lift, even with us BSing around, with some friends in the garage, maybe an hour total job. Not too bad, and 5 months later, still dry (knock wood).

I would think the Gen 2s should be similar. Just my experience.

[Cap'n Hook]

Dealer. A little dab of RTV black in the seams where the front cover meats the block and same at rear where seal cover hits block.

This! Had my '96 GTS done back in April, and found the rear main leaking as well. Had it replaced too!

[Fatboy 18]

It can be worth putting a bit of rtv sealant on the bolt threads, but before you do this clean out the holes thoroughly using brake cleaner to make sure there is no oil up there The sump pan gasket is reusable but i would carefully inspect the rubber gasket both sides to make sure there are no splits, again spray brake cleaner around the rubber gasket to remove old oil

Where are you noticing the oil? Front / Rear or side of the pan?

[sparkrn]

It is mostly on the rear half of the pan

[Troublemaker]

It is mostly on the rear half of the pan

Are you absolutely sure it isn't the rear main seal?

[Fatboy 18]

Its a bit hard to tell if the rear main seal has gone, but if you get under the car and remove the flywheel inspection plate you might see traces of oil on the back of the flywheel, if that's the case its going to have to be Gearbox out and remove the clutch to get to the main Crankshaft oil seal. I just replaced mine when I changed the clutch (for good measure, it was not leaking)

[LATAMUD]

I was tracking down an oil leak for a few months after swapping in an 08 swing arm/pan. Removed the pan several times, cleaned everything with brake clean and reinstalled, etc. In the end I replaced the oil cooler lines and the leak went away. My leak was mostly on the passenger side.

[Dan Cragin]

The Gen 2 oil pan gaskets are on national backorder with no delivery date.

[sparkrn]

Its a bit hard to tell if the rear main seal has gone, but if you get under the car and remove the flywheel inspection plate you might see traces of oil on the back of the flywheel, if that's the case its going to have to be Gearbox out and remove the clutch to get to the main Crankshaft oil seal. I just replaced mine when I changed the clutch (for good measure, it was not leaking)
Ps

The flywheel is not wet, the car has sat for two days and no drips down the flywheel

[SNKEBIT]

the gen 2 oil pan gaskets are on national backorder with no delivery date.

nnnooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Ron]

It can be worth putting a bit of rtv sealant on the bolt threads

Why? As I remember, all of the bolt holes are blind and RTV will affect the torque accuracy by acting as a thread lubricant.

In my experience with gaskets, RTV / Silicone sealants can cause as many problems as they solve.

[Fatboy 18]

I seem to remember the wizard recommending it a while ago? I think? (I may be wrong) But we had to do it on my friends 2002 RT/10 You don't need a lot just a small smear on the side of the bolt threads (not on the end of the bolt).

Found another thread here

http://forums.viperclub.org/threads/...eaking+oil+pan

[sparkrn]

Thanks everyone for there input, it was very useful in determining my best course of action. A call to John B didn't hurt either. The VOA community rules!

[VIPER BAZ UK]

Mine was leaking through the bolt holes as discussed above .. The holes in the block are open so over time the oil seeps through the threads of the bolt..

Have seen a few Vipers do this ...