Is the oil pan on a 1998 dodge neon aluminum or steel?

Answer 1

The OEM oil pan for the 1998 Dodge Neon is aluminum. However previous years ('95 and '96) used steel. Both versions use the same gasket (and, hence, bolt pattern).

While the two pans have geometrical differences, one being the aluminum version is more shallow, they hold an equivalent volume of oil. Because the aluminum pan is shallower, the oil pick up tube must be changed when converting from a steel to an aluminum plan in order to accommodate the shallower aluminum pan. The two pan materials also use different size threads for the oil drain plug so the drain plug must be matched when changing between pan materials.

The aluminum pan is made of cast aluminum and tends to crack whereas the steel pan tends to dent, when impacted.