How do you change the oil pan gasket on a 1998 Ford Taurus?

Answer 1

Disconnect the battery. You will need to put the car up on jack stands, get under the car, drain the oil, remove the catalytic converter (which can be aggravating without a lift hoist, which I am assuming you don't have), remove the starter and flywheel cover, remove the oil pan (held on by about twenty 8mm bolts all the way around), clean the gasket surface, install a new gasket (put a small amount of RTV in the corners only!), install the pan (tighten the bolts evenly to about 100 inch pounds--CAUTION: that is not very tight, do not overtighten!), reinstall everything, fill the oil, and happy trails.

"Which can be aggravating" only hints at the misery you will invite when you have to remove the Y pipe assembly attached to the catalytic converter. Before you remove the first screw on the oil pan, make sure you can do it. I spent most of yesterday prepping the surfaces, working the gasket in from the outside of the pan and getting the silicone and screws done with 1 1/2 " of clearance, because I couldn't. No leaks, but oh ny god. As my dad would have said "It could make a preacher cuss."