Can I re-use my oil pan gasket.

[mdmcinti]

Yeah that job really does suck unless the differential is completely removed then it is not really that especially with power tools. But what about when people pull their front cover or change out their rear cover and main seal. I mean the part that touches the cover gets re-used and you just put some rtv where the over meets the block. What about when people do the oil pump and timing chain and they undo the bolts to where the pan drops down some so they can remove the pickup tube bolt? Just some thoughts on that.

 

[wjburken]

Yeah that job really does suck unless the differential is completely removed then it is not really that especially with power tools. But what about when people pull their front cover or change out their rear cover and main seal. I mean the part that touches the cover gets re-used and you just put some rtv where the over meets the block. What about when people do the oil pump and timing chain and they undo the bolts to where the pan drops down some so they can remove the pickup tube bolt? Just some thoughts on that.

You can do whatever you want to do as it is your truck. Personally, if I was that deep into doing any of the items that you mentioned, I would go all the way and make sure that I have done everything I can to not have to go back in and do it again. As I said before, there is some money that I don't think I can afford to save.

 

[Joseph Garcia]

Do you feel lucky? Then, roll the dice and hope for the best.

I'm not a gambler, but if I was, I'd see a small savings in money, rolled against the chance that the oil pan leaks afterward, forcing you to do the job over again with its associated time and frustration, AND having to buy a new gasket, anyway.

Again, do you feel lucky?

 

[OR VietVet]

You asked for opinions and you got them. Do what you want with that info and use whatever form of justification you want. It makes no sense to reuse that gasket/seal. IMO again.

Hell, even brand new gaskets/seals can leak depending on area prep and expertise of the tech.

 

[mdmcinti]

Well $31 for a new gm gasket isn’t too bad on rock auto. The diff will be coming out since I have a leaking axle seal that needs to be replaced it won’t be suck a pain in the butt to drop the pan. Plus front timing cover is coming off because I have to replace my chewed up cam.

 

[OR VietVet]

I am assuming you are replacing the lifters as well, right? When you do the lifters you should do the knock sensors and wiring pigtails as well. Hell, then the valve cover gaskets at the same time, and no, don't reuse those. Chewed up cam and no plans for lifters? How about cam bearings? The list goes on.

 

[mdmcinti]

I am assuming you are replacing the lifters as well, right? When you do the lifters you should do the knock sensors and wiring pigtails as well. Hell, then the valve cover gaskets at the same time, and no, don't reuse those. Chewed up cam and no plans for lifters? How about cam bearings? The list goes on.

All those gaskets were in the basket for the repair. I can’t do cam bearings. I don’t have a machine shop in town and I would have to take the engine to Reno, Boise, salt lake, or California to get that done. My second vehicle is a Chevy Cruze so it not like I can just put engine block in the trunk and drive it there. I would need to ask someone from work to do it. Reno is 3 hours away from me so it’s an all day thing. Plus I live in an apartment complex so pulling the motor is not an option.

Everything you did mention I plan on doing. I already have valve cover gaskets and intake gaskets sitting in the closet because the truck has been throwing a knock sensor code for the time being. The plan originally was:

cam
Lifters/trays
Head gaskets
Head bolts
Knock sensors
Valve cover gaskets
Intake gaskets
Engine valley gasket/grommets
Exhaust manifold gaskets
Exhaust manifold bolts
Cam bolts
Timing cover gasket/seal
Crank bolt
Coolant crossover pipe gaskets
Valve springs
Knock sensor harness
Oil
Coolant
Cam thrust plate
Valve stem seals

If I go with the lq9 cam from Melling,

I have money for oil pump, timing chain, and oil pan gasket for sure. If I go with a bigger cam that is out of the picture because the wife is only letting me spend $800 on it

I am also ordering an axle seal because it is leaking on the passenger side so the differential is coming out so I can take it apart to fix that issue so the pan will be free to come off.

 

[mdmcinti]

Truck doesn’t misfire and it runs fine. Just has a lifter squeal which has turned to lifter knock. But it has been sitting after I bought my Chevy Cruze.

 

[EddieC]

Weighing the effort and time involved to replace them, I always put in new gaskets. I've spent more time and money in my life trying to save a few bucks and kicked my self when it turned out to be misplaced efforts.

 

[latvius]

I thought the ones I bought said they were reusable, but personally for the amount of work involved I would put a new one on even if it was 1 day old.