oil pan removal tips

[Fehrion_sit]

im getting ready to removal my oil pan to find out if my rear balancer shaft is still in place. i have a 90 gsx (awd) i know i need to remove the downpipe, cross member, and transfer case. besides the oil pan gasket, are there any other parts i will need just to remove&install the pan? do any of the wisemen have any tips that will help ?

- mike

 

[motozachl]

Removing the timing belt cover and looking for the balance shafts would be a ton easier

 

[19Eclipse90]

motozachl is correct on the front balance shaft. Here's how to check if you have the rear balance shaft still installed without removing the oil pan or any of that: http://www.dsmtuners.com/forums/bolt-tech/380262-quickest-method-see-if-i-do-dont-have-balance-shafts.html#post152309545

And for further clarification, the "hole" you stick the screwdriver into can be seen more clearly here: http://www.dsmtuners.com/forums/newbie-forum/385234-random-hole.html#post152368376. Make sure when you are done you pull the screwdriver back out and re-plug the hole.

 

[AWD Devious]

motozachl is correct on the front balance shaft. Here's how to check if you have the rear balance shaft still installed without removing the oil pan or any of that: http://www.dsmtuners.com/forums/bolt-tech/380262-quickest-method-see-if-i-do-dont-have-balance-shafts.html#post152309545

And for further clarification, the "hole" you stick the screwdriver into can be seen more clearly here: http://www.dsmtuners.com/forums/newbie-forum/385234-random-hole.html#post152368376. Make sure when you are done you pull the screwdriver back out and re-plug the hole.

, i was about to search for tutorial and i found one on this page. thank you.

 

[Fehrion_sit]

okay so basically, i remove this bolt in the back on the engine, rotate to TDC and insert a screwdriver, measure how far it went in, rotate the engine an 1/8 of a turn and stick the screw driver in again. if it goes in further than i have a rear balance shaft, if it doesnt change, then the rear balance shaft has been removed. ...

correct ?

 

[19Eclipse90]

Technically yes. But if you read the whole thing -- and I really wish I could edit that post further -- you would find this little bit, much easier to do:

Otherwise, you can align the timing marks, place a long screwdriver in the hole, and attempt to turn the engine over by hand. The screwdriver should "lock up" the rear balance shaft and keep the engine from turning over. If the balance shaft is not there, the engine will still rotate.

 

[Fehrion_sit]

well im planning on aligning the timing marks to begin with, i do it anytime i do engine work, so once that is done i am going to remove the bolt and place a screw driver in the hole, how far does it normally go in, and then when i try to turn the motor over by hand, it will ether seize up or spin freely regardless ...

 

[19Eclipse90]

With the timing marks lined up, you should be able to insert the screwdriver at least 2.4 inches. When you rotate it: if the balance shaft is in place, it will lock up; if not, it should rotate without any problem.

 

[Fehrion_sit]

does the timing belt still need to be installed to do this? i have a feeling i should of done the test before completely removing the cylinder head?

 

[Gs Dewd]

well if the head is off then you can't use the belt. Do you have the front cover off to?
If so is the gear for the front bal. shaft there if not then you know that shaft if gone. As far as the one behind the oil pump goes just turn the gear for the oil pump slowly and see if there is a point where it wants to turn on it's own. or put the screw driver in and turn the pump gear and see if it stops. If the shaft isn't there it will turn freely with the screw driver in there without getting jammed up.

 

[19Eclipse90]

^That. With the belt on, the screwdriver should lock up the engine if the rear balance shaft is in place. Without the belt, the screwdriver will lock up the oil pump/sprocket if the balance shaft is in place.