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How to remove old oil pan gasket?



 
 
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  #1  
Old January 12th 06, 06:25 AM posted to rec.autos.makers.vw.watercooled,rec.autos.tech
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Default How to remove old oil pan gasket?

I took the oil pan off my '84 VW Rabbit (diesel). Unfortunately, most
of the old (paper) gasket stuck to the bottom of the engine. How do I
remove it? It's practically superglued on. I've tried gasket remover, a
scraper, a razor blade, a wire wheel on a Dremel... the stuff clings to
my engine block with tenacity!

Any tips on getting it off before I take a grinder with a wire wheel to
it?

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  #2  
Old January 12th 06, 02:17 PM posted to rec.autos.makers.vw.watercooled,rec.autos.tech
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Default How to remove old oil pan gasket?

Dont know what they are called but they look like little discs made out
of SOS pads. They are about 1.75 inches in diameter and attach to a
high speed angle grinder. I got mine at the auto parts store, and now
that I think about it, I dont recall seeing them anywhere else. Jim

  #3  
Old January 12th 06, 03:37 PM posted to rec.autos.makers.vw.watercooled,rec.autos.tech
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Default How to remove old oil pan gasket?

In article
.com>,
"gobroncos" > wrote:

> Dont know what they are called but they look like little discs made out
> of SOS pads. They are about 1.75 inches in diameter and attach to a
> high speed angle grinder. I got mine at the auto parts store, and now
> that I think about it, I dont recall seeing them anywhere else. Jim


They're called "Roloc" pads, 3M makes them and it would be wise
to point out that they have been documented as causing major
catastrophic engine failure because of the level of contamination
they cause inside the engine. Most OEMs have banned their use.
  #4  
Old January 12th 06, 05:00 PM posted to rec.autos.makers.vw.watercooled,rec.autos.tech
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Default How to remove old oil pan gasket?


> wrote in message
oups.com...
>I took the oil pan off my '84 VW Rabbit (diesel). Unfortunately, most
> of the old (paper) gasket stuck to the bottom of the engine. How do I
> remove it? It's practically superglued on. I've tried gasket remover, a
> scraper, a razor blade, a wire wheel on a Dremel... the stuff clings to
> my engine block with tenacity!
>
> Any tips on getting it off before I take a grinder with a wire wheel to
> it?
>

You've got the right ideas. Now if you can just find some of Job's
patience. Some things just cannot be hurried. (*G*lue the new one onto the
pan!)HTH, s


  #5  
Old January 12th 06, 05:13 PM posted to rec.autos.makers.vw.watercooled,rec.autos.tech
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Default How to remove old oil pan gasket?


sdlomi2 wrote:
> > wrote in message
> oups.com...
> >I took the oil pan off my '84 VW Rabbit (diesel). Unfortunately, most
> > of the old (paper) gasket stuck to the bottom of the engine. How do I
> > remove it? It's practically superglued on. I've tried gasket remover, a
> > scraper, a razor blade, a wire wheel on a Dremel... the stuff clings to
> > my engine block with tenacity!
> >
> > Any tips on getting it off before I take a grinder with a wire wheel to
> > it?
> >

> You've got the right ideas. Now if you can just find some of Job's
> patience. Some things just cannot be hurried. (*G*lue the new one onto the
> pan!)HTH, s


Don't glue the new gasket to the pan, just get one of the new
steel-core neoprene gaskets. They are reusable and hold their shape so
no glue is required. I used one on a Corrado when I replaced the rod
bearings maybe 4 years ago and it still doesn't leak. This way you
will never have to scrape off an old, hard cork gasket again

A real, honest-to-God gasket scraper is a lifesaver here. It's like
the ******* child of a putty knife and a cold chisel. It is the right
tool for the job. Your FLAPS should have one. A little spray carb
cleaner can help loosen the old gasket as well, just don't let it drip
in your eyes. Once you get a clean spot, you ought to be able to catch
the edge of the old gasket material and work your way around the whole
flange pretty easily. The oil pan flange can be cleaned up with a wire
wheel in a bench grinder or hand drill, will work much faster than a
Dremel.

My advice is not good for all engines, but I know for a fact that the
nice gasket is available for a VW 4-banger, because I've used the exact
part you need. I think I got it from parts4vws.com. I believe that
they are also available for Ch*vy valve covers, if anyone cares (will
try a set on my Studebaker next time I need to replace valve cover
gaskets, as I'm using aluminum valve covers with no flanges and
apparently Ch*vy and Stude valve covers are close enough to the same
size/shape that they will work.)

nate

  #6  
Old January 12th 06, 06:41 PM posted to rec.autos.makers.vw.watercooled,rec.autos.tech
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Default How to remove old oil pan gasket?


> wrote in message
oups.com...
> I took the oil pan off my '84 VW Rabbit (diesel). Unfortunately, most
> of the old (paper) gasket stuck to the bottom of the engine. How do I
> remove it? It's practically superglued on. I've tried gasket remover, a
> scraper, a razor blade, a wire wheel on a Dremel... the stuff clings to
> my engine block with tenacity!
>
> Any tips on getting it off before I take a grinder with a wire wheel to
> it?


I seldom use anything but a good sharp stainless steel scraper. (I make
them myself from stainless steel putty knives. Sharpen them on a grinder
and then with a stone.)

I have used white spirit, alcohol, etc to mop the gasket area to help it
turn loose. Sometimes it helps a lot, sometimes not.

But with perseverence, you can get it off.


  #9  
Old January 15th 06, 03:03 AM posted to rec.autos.makers.vw.watercooled,rec.autos.tech
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Posts: n/a
Default How to remove old oil pan gasket?

> I seldom use anything but a good sharp stainless steel scraper. (I make
> them myself from stainless steel putty knives. Sharpen them on a grinder
> and then with a stone.)


This is the approach I took and it worked great. The razor blade was
too flimsy and the scraper too dull until I combined the best of both
worlds.

Thanks, everyone, for the replies! Including N8N for the neoprene
gasket tip.

 




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