Thread: Oil pan gasket change "nightmare" 04 GTP comp g

I have a 2004 grand prix GTP com g, that needs an oil pan gasket change.

I was hoping someone might be able to tell me:

1. Why is "every" mechanic telling me that to change the oil pan gasket it is a 4.5 hour repair, (in the "computer system"), and it is one of the hardest repairs to perform?

2. Why are all of these mechanics stating they need a "special" crane and lift for the "carriage" that holds the oil pan to change a simple oil pan gasket?

When I first diagnosed the leaking oil pan gasket it seemed like one of the most straight forward, KISS simple repairs I've ever seen:

1. Empty the oil. 2. Remove the oil pan. 3. Clean the oil pan and the immediate area. 4. Replace the gasket. 5. Put the oil pan back. 6. Perform a standard oil change. 7. Clean the bottom of the vehicle when finished.

(BTW - they all stated there is an actual gasket for this vehicle, not just grey rtv).

I just bought the 04 gtp comp g for $3500, (109k miles), and I decided the conservative approach would be for my family's mechanic to go over the new vehicle and do a complete diagnostic inspection.

There were only 2 main issues: 1. Bad coolant elbow under alternator area, left side. 2. Oil pan gasket leak.

This was my diagnosis as well after going over the vehicle myself.

Since the mechanic completed the diagnostic I decided to let him change the "coolant elbow" as he was nice enough to go over the vehicle for me for free, "karma":

Total: $287.71, parts, (aluminum elbows not rubber), labor, etc...an... He was also nice enough to use my Dex-cool and distilled water to refill the coolant system. (I completed a standard coolant water flush 2 times after which I found the coolant leak. There was a large amount of Dex-cool, clay colored corrosion in the coolant system, now it's extremely clean).

He was not able to repair the oil pan gasket as he had too much business, (he was way too busy), and he stated he doesn't have the "special" lift and crane for the oil pan "carriage" in his shop.

His estimate was $650 for the oil pan gasket change at 4.5 hours of labor. His estimate seems accurate as every repair shop I have called consulted the same "computer system" and they all stated the same thing: 4.5 hour repair, gasket is cheap, but they all need a "special" lift and crane for the oil pan "carriage" and it's a "long job, woooooooooooahh, this is going to take a full day, and a lot of money in labor, etc...an..." Instant: "Dollar signs in their eyes".

Every estimate so far is $550 to $650 with the same quote: "it's one of the hardest jobs ever, you need a special crane and lift for the "carriage", it's an extremely long "job", etc...an.."

Is this really true? When I looked at the oil pan it looked extremely American made KISS simple, "there's the oil pan, there's the bolts, nothing in the way, remove it". You can see the bolts perfectly and I didn't see a "carriage" in the way, although my inspection was a fast once-over.

I will have the car back from the mechanic soon so any help here would be great.

I am a disabled veteran with some brain damage and nervous system damage, so I have to go over basic tasks several times (over and over again) as sometimes my brain damage causes me to miss simple things, stutter or repeat myself when speaking, especially stating other words instead of what I meant to say ie.: "mechanic" = "mechanized" (oops sorry it's my brain damage), "religion" = "religious", "arm-bar" = "kimura", especially while typing, (it's pretty funny if you "hang out" with me as it happens often in my speech).

That being said I am pretty fit due to the fact that the medication the VA has me on is extremely dangerous, therefore I have to eat an extremely healthy "special diet", no alcohol, no sugar, no fruit, no white flour, veggies and whole grains strictly with clean meats, mostly boneless skinless chicken breast. I also have to exercise every other day minimum. If I don't I could easily end up back in the hospital or dead from the medication.

Due to my fitness level and high DHA fish oil helping my brain function, I am 3 to 4 classes away from a 4 year degree (after 8 years, twice as long but almost complete) with a 3.53, and 109 credit hours. I still participate in jiu jitsu/mma, and I can perform basic tasks like a simple oil change and changing the gasket on an oil pan. I just have to go over everything a minimum of 4 times, so advanced tasks take me twice as long to complete.

If I can complete 109 credit hours with a 3.53 at a four year college, and I was able to diagnosis this vehicle exactly the same as the qualified mechanic, you would think that I can change a very basic oil pan gasket.

Again, any information on the oil pan gasket "madness" would be great.

I assumed it would be a maximum of a $200 repair as the oil pan is right there on the bottom of the vehicle. No supercharger, etc...an... to remove: "there it is".

Also, if anyone has a link or a YouTube video on the repair that would be great too.

After I had the mechanic begin the work on the "bad coolant elbow joint", I found a YouTube video with a civilian who finished the same job in about 20 minutes with breaks. 1. Remove Alternator and Alternator belts. 2. Remove coolant overflow tank. 3. Locate bad "elbow joint" and replace with aluminum "elbow joints".

I'm hoping there is a similar YouTube video on the oil pan gasket change.

The only other recommendation from the mechanic was for a simple tune up, eventually (not necessary at this time).

He quoted $251.30 for a simple tune up. One shop quoted me $1000 for a tune up (for real), another $500. They all stated getting to the spark plugs behind the supercharger is "too hard" so that's why they have to overcharge me for a simple tune up.

I see standard tune up coupons all the time in the mail for $149, complete.

Any links or videos on how to perform a KISS simple tune up, (which is about as easy as an oil change), on an 04 gtp comp g would be great as well.

The economy here in Jacksonville, FL, home of the TPC, is in the "toilet" so I think these mechanics are hurting for money.

They ALL gave me a massive attitude over the phone when I mentioned I can perform basic tasks by myself and I've even changed out an entire clutch before. ALL of the conversations were exactly the same: instant aggression, instantly cutting me off while "speaking", "I'm doing you a favor", etc...an... This was always after mentioning ANY work I have done myself like flushing the coolant system and changing the oil. (I called at least 7 repair shops and they ALL had the same negative/extremely aggressive attitudes, IMPORTANT: as if the conversations were memorized or REHEARSED from mechanic "union" meetings, i.e. masonic meetings, "bad choice of action" with a bad economy).

Coming back over the phone immediately aggressive is the "Wrong Answer" with a toilet bowl economy and $20 trillion dollars of U.S. Debt ("in search of more light"). "You get more flies with honey", "The glass is half full, not half empty", "the customer is always right", "always be positive", etc...an... is ALWAYS the "correct" policy with a poor economy and another Detroit beginning here in "Jack" sonville, FL.

At any rate, any help and suggestions would be great. I apologize for any spelling mistakes and errors from the brain damage "condition" "what happens next?" Thank you in advance, GW, service connected disabled veteran.

Thanks Scottydogs. I'll give that a try. My family's mechanic has the car right now and is replacing the coolant elbows so I have to wait to pick the vehicle back up before I can look at it again.

They did a full inspection on the vehicle, (my dad insisted on having his mechanic look it over so I gave in, TPC, high dollar zip code), coolant pressure check, coolant leak inspection, replaced the coolant elbow under the alternator, labor, parts, etc...an... for $288. Apparently I overpaid $100, but that's with the full diagnostic check on the vehicle and the coolant system inspections.

After the full inspection on the vehicle, the mechanic stated that it is the oil pan gasket leaking. These were the only 2 mechanic issues I could find as well. 1. Slow coolant leak. 2. Slow to moderate oil leak from oil pan. He's not repairing the oil pan leak so I'll pick it up tomorrow.

I'll have to get under it and inspect it correctly to be sure it's the oil pan gasket. I didn't spend much time inspecting it "under the microscope" the first time, so I'll have to do it right this time. I'll let you know what I find. It's not that bad of a leak so I can get away with putting an extra quart of oil in it for at least a month or so.

Sorry I wasted everyone's time but after researching for hours, it looks like you actually have to have a lift, crane, etc...an... to remove the oil pan. The engine has to be removed or lifted to get to the oil pan. Every estimate is about $498 to $650.

It doesn't look like I can repair it myself so I'll try to get the best price in my area instead of the TPC. Best estimate right now is $556. I have some time since the oil leak is not that bad and I don't drive that often with my medical conditions, maybe 2 to 3 times per week.

I have the cash but I'm just a bit down right now as I really wanted to spend the money on modifying it for performance.

Oh well, hopefully my VA appeal with go through and I'll have another VA disability back check. I've been on the list for 3 1/2 years now, I should have a decision fairly soon as a DRO VA appeal is supposed to take 377 days. My case is complex but it's past 900 days now....story of my life with the VA, I usually wait 3 times longer then average.