I'm going to attempt my biggest car repair yet tomorrow.

[tnitsuj]

This may not seem hard for a lot of you, but I have to change the oil pan on my Civic. This will entail removing a section of exhaust pipe (rusted on bolts and nuts), removing a transmission brace, removing old pan, cleaning everything up, putting on new pan, putting exhaust back together..and I have to do it on my back with about 1 1/2 ft of clearence.

Just wanted to share.

 

[TommyVercetti]

Sigh.. I just paid $178 + tax to get my warped front roters fixed.

 

[iamwiz82]

IMHO, you will not be able to get that exhaust pipe off easily, unless you have a torch to cut it off and a welder to put it back on.

 

[iamwiz82]

I suck

 

[Brutuskend]

You'll have FUN!

Make sure not to have TOO MUCH fun though, getting a stiffy in that tight a space might make it hard to move around much.

 

[The Stigenator]

go get some rhino stands.. drive up the car, you get a bit more clearance than teh stock clearance..

anycase..best of luck

 

[tnitsuj]

Originally posted by: iamwiz82
IMHO, you will not be able to get that exhaust pipe off easily, unless you have a torch to cut it off and a welder to put it back on.

I have been presoaking the bolts with PB Blaster for a few days now. I know I can get the bolts holding the pipe to the header off pretty easily, and I am hoping I can let it just hang there giving me clearence to drop the pan. If I have to take the spring bolts/nuts that are holding the A pipe to the B pipe off....it might get a little tricky. Worst comes to worst, I will take it to an exhaust shop and have them cut those suckers off.

 

[tnitsuj]

Originally posted by: The_good_guy
go get some rhino stands.. drive up the car, you get a bit more clearance than teh stock clearance..

anycase..best of luck

Actually I do have Rhino stands. Civic sits rather low to the ground. My SUV is much easier to work on, and the Integra with the coil overs is almost impossible unless I use the big SUV jack and jack stands.

 

[Amorphus]

Originally posted by: Brutuskend
You'll have FUN!

Make sure not to have TOO MUCH fun though, getting a stiffy in that tight a space might make it hard to move around much.

He has a foot and a half long schlong?

 

[StageLeft]

You don't have a lift and jacks? I've heard that on some vehicles doing the oil pan can be pretty hard. Goodluck!

 

[Brutuskend]

Originally posted by: Amorphus

Originally posted by: Brutuskend
You'll have FUN!

Make sure not to have TOO MUCH fun though, getting a stiffy in that tight a space might make it hard to move around much.

He has a foot and a half long schlong?

Oh, I guess I'm just thinking of my OWN personal experience.

N/M....

 

[Thegonagle]

Go to the auto store (or dealer) and get NEW bolts and gaskets for that section of pipe. I guarantee you won't be able to reuse the old ones. A propane/oxygen blowtorch will be helpful as well.

 

[tnitsuj]

Originally posted by: Thegonagle
Go to the auto store (or dealer) and get NEW bolts and gaskets for that section of pipe. I guarantee you won't be able to reuse the old ones. A propane/oxygen blowtorch will be helpful as well.

I already did that. Haven't gotten the propane torch though.

 

[Ornery]

"I have to change the oil pan on my Civic."

Why? Is there a gouge in it? Can't you just patch it with epoxy or something? I'm serious!

 

[tnitsuj]

Originally posted by: Ornery
"I have to change the oil pan on my Civic."

Why? Is there a gouge in it? Can't you just patch it with epoxy or something? I'm serious!

Well actually the gasket is leaking. I have to drop the pan anyway to do the gasket, and it has a big dent in it/is corroded so I am changing them both at the same time. Total cost in parts was around $70.

 

[Ornery]

Oh bummer. Sounds like a bitch no matter what. Good luck!

 

[Gravity]

You can do it. It's not that hard. Make sure you have the proper goop to seal the gasket with.

 

[T2T III]

When you do pick up a propane torch, look for the Benz-O-Matic cylider that has MAPP gas in it instead of regular propane. The MAPP gas will burn @ 3,650 degrees (F) - and regular propane will burn @ 3,450 degrees (F). The MAPP gas will get the job done quicker.

MAPP gas is also great for sweating copper plumbing pipes and it will seal the joint in half the time that it takes regular propane. MAPP gas lasts longer, but costs about $5.00 more per cylinder.

 

[tnitsuj]

Originally posted by: Tiles2Tech
When you do pick up a propane torch, look for the Benz-O-Matic cylider that has MAPP gas in it instead of regular propane. The MAPP gas will burn @ 3,650 degrees (F) - and regular propane will burn @ 3,450 degrees (F). The MAPP gas will get the job done quicker.

MAPP gas is also great for sweating copper plumbing pipes and it will seal the joint in half the time that it takes regular propane. MAPP gas lasts longer, but costs about $5.00 more per cylinder.

I am hoping it doesn't come to the torch.

 

[Pliablemoose]

Wear some eye protection, I always manage to get flakes of rust in my eyes when working on exhaust systems.

 

[lightpants]

PB Blaster works great, pre-soaking them was good preparation for the job.
Jim

 

[Alistar7]

Originally posted by: Pliablemoose
Wear some eye protection, I always manage to get flakes of rust in my eyes when working on exhaust systems.

I would start with removing what obviously needs to go, then unbolt the pan and see if you can slip it out, dont forget the engine can be raised if need be, you should get a little more clearance doing that.

 

[AMCRambler]

I think if you unbolt the header from the block you should be able to let it drop down and hang and have enough room. I'm just thinking of how it looks on my Accord, but now that I think of it my oil pan is off to the side and in front of the exhaust header. Sounds like it'll be another interesting, tightly cramped, japanese car repairs. I replaced the radiator on my Accord when I first got it 3 years ago. Man was that a pain in the arse! Took me two nights of working on it to get it in.
Good luck to you!

 

[Regs]

Last time I removed a oil pan, pieces of my old car's crank shaft and counter weight fell out

 

[Goosemaster]

Originally posted by: TommyVercetti
Sigh.. I just paid $178 + tax to get my warped front roters fixed.

That's a LOT for that. THen again, if you can afford it more power to you.


Actually, now that I think about it, parts are from $45-$100 depending on your car and inlcuding labor...not bad I guess.