I have a 1998 SSEi with 200k. I have owned it since 40k and it has never consumed oil. recently it started using a quart or two every 3k . I got under it and looked and it appeared to be leaking from the oil pan gasket. The oil sending unit is dry as a bone. I replaced the oil pan gasket and now the problem seems to be worse! After 3k miles I checked to see where the oil was going and found that it seems dry above the oil pan but, nearly every oil pan bolt has a drop of oil on it getting ready to drip off. The pan itself is oily and the trail of oil goes back to the catalytic converter, Thus the noticeable odor of hot oil. I looked at the flywheel and it does not look like it has oil on it and there is no other indication of a leaking rear main. After I replaced the oil pan gasket I noticed a small note that was in the packaging that said that you should not use sealant on the gasket except an a certain location. I was going by the Factory Service Manual and it did not say anything about using a sealant. So my question is; do I need to start over and reinstall the oil pan with sealant this time?

What did you torque the bolts to? Sometimes too much torque can cause a leak. And of course, too little will cause one too.

putting a little permatex ultra black will not hurt, i always put some on because doing it again sucks. as long as you dont put so much it will smush out into the engine it will be fine

Is it the tin pan or the aluminum pan? There was a bullion to use RTV on the tin pans because of lack of flatness when they were made. I even use a thin coat of RTV on the aluminum pans also.

That'* good info Will, I'll have to use some RTV next time I pull the pan for some reason...like another engine swap.

I torqued the pan to 125 inch pounds. I believe that is what was specified in the FSM. I have the sheet metal pan. I guess I am going to have to do it all over, this timer with a little black rtv sealant. Bummer.....

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1998 Pontiac Bonneville | Bonneville, Eighty Eight, LeSabre, LSS (VIN C/H) Service Manual | Document ID: 880047
#01-06-01-008A: Engine Oil Pan/Gasket Leak (Seal with RTV Sealant) - (Apr 22, 2002)

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:

Remove the oil pan from the engine. Follow the oil pan removal instructions found in the Engine Mechanical section of the Service Manual.
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.

Inspect the oil pan sealing rail surface for bends or distortion which would affect sealability.
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.

Use a new oil pan gasket and windage tray assembly, P/N 24502397.

Object Number: 741053 Size: SH
Click here for detailed picture of above image.
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'* raised sealing bead.
Install the oil pan gasket and windage tray assembly to the cylinder block. RTV will hold assembly in place temporarily.
Install the oil pump pipe and screen assembly.
Tighten
Tighten the oil pump pipe and screen bolts to 15 N·m (11 lb ft).


Object Number: 741054 Size: SH
Click here for detailed picture of above image.
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'* raised sealing bead.
Install the oil pan on the engine.
Tighten
Tighten the oil pan retaining bolts to 14 N·m (124 lb in).

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



GM bulletins are intended for use by professional technicians, NOT a ""do-it-yourselfer"". They are written to inform these technicians of conditions that may occur on some vehicles, or to provide information that could assist in the proper service of a vehicle. Properly trained technicians have the equipment, tools, safety instructions, and know-how to do a job properly and safely. If a condition is described, DO NOT assume that the bulletin applies to your vehicle, or that your vehicle will have that condition. See your GM dealer for information on whether your vehicle may benefit from the information.
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Thank You, William! That looks like the info I needed. One final question. Do you think I should buy a new gasket or will the one that is a month old be o.k.?

As long as you get all the oil residue off of the gasket, block and pan so the RTV sticks good it should be fine.

Okay, I removed the oil pan again and cleaned it the best I could and re-installed it with black RTV. It is much better now but I still have a leak around the area between the engine and tranny. It could be that I did not get all the oil residue off the old gasket. Then again it could be that I have a rear main that is leaking?? Before I take it apart and replace the oil pan gasket with a new one , is there any way I can determine for sure if it is rear main seal that is leaking??