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Anonymous Posted on Aug 22, 2009

There is a very small leak under my 2002 Sebring. I looked under the car and it seems to be coming from one of the oil pan bolts. What could be causing it and How do I fix it?

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Colin Stickland

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  • Chrysler Master 22,516 Answers
  • Posted on Aug 22, 2009
Colin Stickland
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You will have to look further because thats where the oil is dripping from---- wheres the source ??? my hunch is the oil light switch casing ,common source of oil leaks on all cars

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  • Colin Stickland
    Colin Stickland Aug 22, 2009

    you will have to look further because thats where the oil is dripping from---- wheres the source ??? my hunch is the oil light switch casing ,common source of oil leaks on all cars

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  • Master 386 Answers
  • Posted on Aug 22, 2009
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If you have determined it to be oil pan bolts on the engine and or transmission you can first try to re-torque the pan mounting bolts , careful not to over tighten the bolts or you will pinch the gasket and cause a complete gasket failure in which case you will have to remove the pan and replace the corresponding gasket.

Repair procedure as follows: Locating the leak first.

1. Safely raise vehicle on a vehicle hoist or raise and support on proper vehicle weight rated jack stands or vehicle ramps.

2.To determine exact point of leak clean very thoroughly the area of question, use a chem tool spray or brake clean spray with paper towels and or shop rags discard safely and properly after use.

3. Run engine for several minutes with wheels chalked in park with E brake firmly applied.

4. After sufficient time needed to expose leak , note location and focus attention on the location.

5. Determine plan of approach at repair, after inspection you should be able to determine cause of leak based on location of leak, what you thought might be pans bolts often times can be a rear main seal or a valve cover gasket or even a oil pressure switch or line.

6. Remember Oil or any fluids leak down not up so start your search high and work low eliminating as you go.

Repair process:

1. Start conservative , check pan mounting bolts for proper torque , general rule of thumb is smaller the bolt diameter lesser the tightening torque required, pan bolts in your case require about 16 ft.lbs, I personally like to do it by feel as well as visually watching the compression of the gasket being extremely careful not to over tighten bolts and pinch the gasket causing immediate gasket failure resulting in a more involved repair.

2. If you have a gasket failure at present then you will need to remove and replace the gasket.
Step one would be to thoroughly drain all related fluids to the repair, remove related pan and thoroughly remove old gasket and clean and dry all gasket mating surfaces with above mentioned spays.

3. Obtain proper replacement gasket new, apply a gasket cinch compound , some people use silicone sealant be very careful because people tend to overuse and apply in excess which can be a hazard in waiting m silicone squeeze out upon torquing of bolts and breaks loose in pan and becomes suspended in the newly added fluids only to clog up filters and components and small orifices inside transmissions. Not worth the risk...

If you find a it is not a pan gasket related leak but turns out to be a engine rear main and or TC seal you can try first a conservative approach with a Oil additive , sometimes you get lucky , but if not you will need to preform a more complicated and involved repair which involves either removing engine and or transmission to access the either seal location... let me know how it turns out, i can give you process for the latter more involved repair if required...

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