Oil Pan Job... How bad?

[FlyingVolvo]

Nah, that won't do anything.

[vjaneczko]

And I'm thinking that pipe is the fuel line maybe. It's only on one side, so I don't know about it being any sort of brace for the struts. It feels like a pipe that carries something.

oops, didn't look long enough - I thought the front of the car was on the right of the pic, not on the left...

[jblackburn]

My guess would be that's your fuel line. The 98 non-turbo cars and all 99-2000 models only have one fuel line up to the engine. They come up the right side on mine.

[FlyingVolvo]

Ok, so is the general consensus that it IS okay to bend it a little?

Last thing I need is a massive fuel leak.

[jblackburn]

Yes, it will be fine...I bent mine out of the way on the PCV job (then realized you don't have to).

Grab it with something soft on top of a crowbar or something and pull deliberately and slowly on it.

Look for a bracket or something you could loosen...if you can get it down enough, you might not have to mess with bending it, I'm not sure what's where on the underside of an AWD.

[EstVolvo]

It sucks. If possible stay away.
I opened 2000 V70 just to check if engine has been getting oil. It had.
Drain oil, let your car sit a few days - and even then you will have some oil constantly coming down ...
In order to remove the oil pan you may have to raise the engine 1/2in or so but watch out not to lift it more than necessary - you may damage other stuff.
You have to get lots of stuff out of the way so that when reinstalling the oil pan you wouldn't struggle with it when every second counts.
Good luck!
How many miles are on yours?

[FlyingVolvo]

Thanks for those pics! So many confusing perspectives though... Some say it's not so bad, do it in an afternoon, others say avoid like the plague.

I don't really see how jacking the engine would help much, if only to help maneuver it out a little better maybe? If the car is on ramps I don't know that I'd have a jack that can get high enough.

Not sure what you mean though by getting lots of stuff out of the way. The only main thing in the way is that fuel line. Part of the sub-frame does overlap a bit, but there's really nothing than can be done about that. I'm pretty sure I was able to visualize correctly how it would all come out.

Also, I realize once you apply the gasket that you want to get it up there fairly quickly, but it is anaerobic so it's not like it's going to make a hard seal immediately right?

I'm being tugged in both directions over this. I've now got all the tools and time to do it, but if I go for it, there's no going back!

PS. 144,400 miles now, oil pan has never been opened. Also, how heavy is the pan (drained of course!)? Like a few bricks or heavier?

[EstVolvo]

Maybe when the lower engine mount is new there is enough clearance and you don't have to raise the engine. Otherwise the oil pan will hit the sub-frame and there is no way to get it out or in. Later on you will need as much space as possible since you don't want to push new o-rings out of their places.
You can use 4x4 or any piece of wood on top of your jack in order to extend its reach.
Oil pick-up tube is another pain - it has its round hole in the oil pan and it will limit sideways movement.
I removed everything that seemed to be getting in the way and by using a rope or wire pulled stuff out of the way.
You will have to loosen or remove some clamps here and there - it makes easier to move those lines around.
Yes, there is no hard seal immediately, but its starts getting skin pretty fast. And you have to keep all the oil that's dripping down inside the engine from getting to the mounting surface.
Oil pan isn't heavy - maybe like a brick.
If you go ahead, take it slow and let us know what you found. Take some pictures too.

[FlyingVolvo]

Thanks Est, great advice. I've got some large zip ties that I think will help to secure that fuel line. I see what you mean though with that pickup tube easily getting caught in the hole. I'll also probably end up just disconnecting the oil cooler so it's not dangling in the way.

I figure that practicing putting the pan back on a few times will help before doing it for real with the gasket applied. As far as the oil, I'll let it drain over night and do my best to mop up anything dripping from the upper pan area before installation.

Also, how did you go about getting the old gasket off? I've got some razor blades as recommended, but did you need to use any chemical gasket remover? Or was it not necessary?

Thank you again for the help, very much appreciated!

[EstVolvo]

I used gasket remover. It is nasty stuff but you will need it if you want clean surfaces. Protect your skin and eyes. In addition I took oil pan to car parts washing machine.