Genuine 1997 Mazda MPV Oil Pan

1997 Mazda MPV Oil Pan Parts and Q&A

• Q: How to properly replace an oil pan and ensure there are no leaks on 1997 Mazda MPV?

  A: Start the engine and empty the oil and change the oil filter. Unscrew the cable of the negative battery terminal. Lift the car and put it on jackstands. In certain models, the engine mounts may have to be unbolted and the engine lifted a few inches to allow the oil pan to clear clearance; when this happens, wood blocks should be placed between the mounts and the frame during the time the engine is raised. Take out the bolts that lock the oil pan to the engine block. To remove the oil pan, do not prise between the block and the oil pan mating surfaces, but tap the pan using a soft face hammer to break the gasket seal and then remove the oil pan off the engine. Clean off all traces of previous gasket or sealant using a gasket scraper upon the engine block and oil pan, and remove the seals on either end of the engine block or oil pan. Wipe off the mating faces using lacquer thinner or acetone making sure that the threaded holes in the block are free. Wipe the oil pan with solvent, then dry it and look at the gasket flanges, especially at the bolt holes; in any case, lay the pan on a block of wood and hammer the flanges straight and smooth and in place again. Apply a 1/8 inch wide bead of RTV sealant to the gasket surfaces of the oil pans with the sealant being applied to the inside of the bolt holes. The oil pan should be positioned carefully and then the bolts should be installed and tightened in different tightening steps to the required torque starting with the bolts nearest to the oil pan center and then proceeding in a spiral order, but not tightened too hard to avoid leaks. Lastly, pour oil, start the engine and check that there are no oil leaks.