The Honda B16 engine, commonly found in the Honda Civic Si, requires an engine hoist when you need to change the oil pan gasket. The reason for the engine hoist is to lift the engine so the transmission cross member can be removed. Without doing so, the oil pan will not drop far enough to clear the oil pickup tube. With the engine lifted, the job of changing the gasket becomes much easier.
Difficulty: Moderate
- Things You'll Need:
- Honda Civic B16
- Front end ramps
- Wheel chuck
- 16-mm socket
- Engine hoist
- Wrench
- Drain pan
- Drive the vehicle onto a set of front end ramps to allow room under the Honda to maneuver. Set the parking brake, and place a wheel chuck behind each rear tire. (Since an engine hoist is used during the process of replacing the oil pan gasket, it is important that the vehicle is secured on the ramps.)
- Loosen the transmission cross member bolts with a 16-mm socket. There are two bolts on each end of the cross member.
- Connect the chains of an engine hoist to the Civicâs engine and create enough tension on the chains to slightly lift the engine upward. You need enough lift to loosen pressure on the transmission cross member.
- Slide the transmission cross member toward the rear of the car to allow access to the oil pan.
- Drain the oil from the oil pan by removing the drain plug located in the bottom of the pan. With the oil drained, place the plug back into the pan.
- Remove the bolts that secure the oil pan to the engine block.
- Pull the oil pan downward and slide it backward to clear the oil pickup tube.
- Scrape the old gasket off the mating surfaces of the oil pan and the engine block.
- Place the new filter onto the mating surface of the oil pan and place the oil pan against the engine block.
- Place screws in the four corners of the oil pan to secure it into place. Thumb tighten the bolts--do not tighten them with a wrench.
- Place the remaining bolts into the oil pan with your fingers. Do not tighten them with a wrench.
- Tighten the center bolts with a wrench. Move outward in an alternating pattern and tighten the bolts with the wrench.
- Slide the transmission cross member back into place, and line up the bolt holes in the cross member and the frame. Secure the cross member with the bolts.
- Relieve the pressure on the engine hoist to return the engine to its normal position.