What is an oil pan gasket and what does it do?

(2011-05-29 14:20:13)

1. Cupcake Says: just took my car in for an oil change, no one explained anything to me.
Thanks!!

2. Wee Mac Says: Hi,

The oil pan or engine sump is where the engine oil sits and waits until it is pumped around the engine. The gasket is what is between it and the bottom of the engine to prevent oil leaking out.

Some gaskets are made of rubber or cork or a chemical sealing compound which is more common these days.

If you have just had your veh serviced and they replaced/resealed your sump without notifying you 1st then you should be asking questions. Depending on the type of car you have depends on how long the job takes, an easy one is about half an hour...but there are some out there that to fix a sump leaking the subframe has to be dropped to allow it to be removed, cleaned and resealed.

Hope that explains better.

3. oklatom Says: It is a seal, keeping oil from leaking. It goes between the bottom of the engine and the sump that holds the oil.

4. James M Says: English word = Sump

American English translation = Oil pan

I agree with the others:)

5. uhhhh hey Says: An oil'm pan holds the oil at the base of the engine.....the gasket keeps it from, leakinging out

6. ladystang Says: the gasket that keeps the oil in oil pan

7. mdk68gto, ase certified m tech Says: that gasket seals the oil pan to the engine block. this keep it from leaking at that point for a while at least.