Changing timing cover gasket

9

92Patrol5.0

Founding Member

Sep 20, 1999

1,076

1

38

Cedar Rapids, Iowa

Feb 23, 2006

#1

• Feb 23, 2006

• #1

When changing the gasket, what's the best way to keep coolant from spilling into the oil pan? When I took the timing cover off about a year ago due to snapping one of the oil pan bolts in it, I got coolant in the oil pan. I did the best I could to cover the top of the pan but it didn't matter, coolant still got in there. I did my best to clean the coolant out of the pan but would be easier if there was any way to keep it from happening to begin with. Didn't know if there was some kind of trick. I guess the only way would be to drain the coolant from the block?

 

bill302

Active Member

Nov 2, 2005

2,131

1

46

alabama,gadsden

Feb 24, 2006

#2

• Feb 24, 2006

• #2

you got it drain coolant....

 

9

92Patrol5.0

Founding Member

Sep 20, 1999

1,076

1

38

Cedar Rapids, Iowa

Feb 25, 2006

#3

• Feb 25, 2006

• #3

Where is the coolant plug to drain the block? I've never done it before. Is it going to be rusted up and seized in there?

 

Michael Yount

Mustang Master

Apr 10, 2002

9,039

6

79

Charlotte, NC

Feb 25, 2006

#4

• Feb 25, 2006

• #4

If you drain it from the radiator, it should be low enough in the block to allow you to remove the front cover...

 

9

92Patrol5.0

Founding Member

Sep 20, 1999

1,076

1

38

Cedar Rapids, Iowa

Feb 25, 2006

#5

• Feb 25, 2006

• #5

That's what I did last time, and I still had some spillage into the pan. Was just wondering if there was any sure way to eliminate this from happening, or if I just have to flush the pan out well before reinstall.

 

Michael Yount

Mustang Master

Apr 10, 2002

9,039

6

79

Charlotte, NC

Feb 25, 2006

#6

• Feb 25, 2006

• #6

Perhaps my outcome was different because I had the front of the car jacked up in the air -- that may be something to consider. I view an oil change after a job like that as part of the procedure --

 

9

92Patrol5.0

Founding Member

Sep 20, 1999

1,076

1

38

Cedar Rapids, Iowa

Feb 25, 2006

#7

• Feb 25, 2006

• #7

Thats what I did last time. I didn't get huge amounts of coolant but enough to make it a pain. I cleaned the pan out best I could, put fresh oil in and only ran it for a few hundred miles then changed the oil again. Just to make sure I didn't leave any coolant circulating through the system.