Buick Regal: Oil Pan Cleaning and Inspection

Preliminary Procedure

1. Ensure proper use of room temperature vulcanizing (RTV) sealant.
2. Thoroughly clean the oil pans and mating surfaces. Inspect each component, O-rings, and fasteners, and replace as necessary.
3. Remove all sludge and oil deposits.
4. Inspect the oil pan for cracking near the pan rail and the transmission mounting points.
5. Inspect the oil pan for cracking resulting from impact or flying road debris.

1. Upper Oil Pan
   NOTE: Component may vary depending on model.
2. Lower Oil Pan
   NOTE: Component may vary depending on model.
3. Engine Oil Drain Plug
4. Engine Oil Drain Plug Washer
   NOTE: It is only necessary to replace the washer if inspection indicates damage is present.
5. Oil Pan Locating Pins
   NOTE: It is not necessary to remove the locating pins unless the inspection indicates replacement.
6. Engine Oil Level Indicator Switch O-ring Seal
7. Engine Oil Level Indicator Switch
8. Engine Oil Level Indicator Switch Bolt
   CAUTION: Refer to Fastener Caution.
   Tighten 10 N.m (89 lb in)
9. Engine Oil Level Indicator Switch Connector Retainer
10. Oil Pan Baffle
11. Oil Pan Baffle Bolt
    Tighten 10 N.m (89 lb in)

THREAD REPAIR

Special Tools

• EN 42385 - 700 High Feature Thread Repair Kit
• EN 42385 - 850 Thread Repair Kit
• EN 42385 - 880 Head Bolt Thread Repair Adapter Kit

For equivalent regional tools, refer to Special Tools.

General Thread Repair

The thread repair process involves a solid, thin walled, self-locking, carbon steel, bushing type insert (1). During the bushing installation process, the driver tool expands the bottom external threads of the insert into the base material (2). This action mechanically locks the insert in place. Also, when installed to the proper depth, the flange of the insert will be seated against the counterbore of the repaired hole.

1.

NOTE: The use of a cutting fluid, WD 40Â, or equivalent, is recommended when performing the drilling, counterboring, and tapping procedures. Refer to Adhesives, Fluids, Lubricants, and Sealers.

The tool kits are designed for use with either a suitable tap wrench or drill motor.

Drill out the threads of the damaged hole (1).

• M6 inserts require a minimum drill depth of 15 mm (0.59 in).
• M8 inserts require a minimum drill depth of 20 mm (0.79 in).
• M10 inserts require a minimum drill depth of 23.5 mm (0.93 in).

WARNING: Refer to Safety Glasses and Compressed Air Warning.

2. Using compressed air, clean out any chips.

3.

Counterbore the hole to the full depth permitted by the tool (1).

4. Using compressed air, clean out any chips.

5.

Using a tap wrench (2), tap the threads of the drilled hole.

• M6 inserts require a minimum tap depth of 15 mm (0.59 in).
• M8 inserts require a minimum tap depth of 20 mm (0.79 in).
• M10 inserts require a minimum tap depth of 23.5 mm (0.93 in).

WARNING: Refer to Safety Glasses and Compressed Air Warning.

WARNING: Refer to Cleaning Solvent Warning.

6. Using compressed air, clean out any chips.

7. Spray cleaner into the hole. Refer to Adhesives, Fluids, Lubricants, and Sealers.

8. Using compressed air, clean any cutting oil and chips out of the hole.

9.

NOTE: Do not allow oil or other foreign material to contact the outside diameter (OD) of the insert.

Lubricate the threads of the installer tool (2) with the driver oil (1).

10.

Install the insert (2) onto the driver tool (1).

11.

Apply threadlock LOCTITE 277, EN 42385 - 109 (1) Loctite, or equivalent to the insert OD threads (2).

12.

Install the insert (2) into the hole.

Install the insert until the flange of the insert contacts the counterbored surface. Continue to rotate the installer tool (1) through the insert.

The installer tool will tighten up before screwing completely through the insert. This is acceptable. You are forming the bottom threads of the insert and mechanically locking the insert to the base material threads.

13.

Inspect the insert for proper installation into the hole.

A properly installed insert (1) will be either flush or slightly below flush with the surface of the base material (2).

Cylinder Head Bolt Hole Thread Repair

1.

NOTE: The tools listed may not necessarily represent the exact tools used for the procedure.

The cylinder head bolt hole thread repair kit consists of the following items:

• Drill (1)
• Tap (2)
• Installer (3)
• Sleeve (4)
• Alignment Pin (5)
• Bushing (6)
• Bolts (7)
• Fixture Plate (8)

2.

WARNING: Refer to Safety Glasses and Compressed Air Warning.

NOTE: The use of a cutting fluid, WD 40Â, or equivalent, is recommended when performing the drilling and tapping procedures. Refer to Adhesives, Fluids, Lubricants, and Sealers.

The tool kits are designed for use with either a suitable tap wrench or drill motor.

Install the fixture plate (3), bolts (1), and bushing (2) onto the engine block deck.

Position the fixture plate and bushing over the hole that is to be repaired (4).

3.

Position the alignment pin (1) through the bushing and into the hole.

4. With the alignment pin in the desired hole, tighten the fixture retaining bolts (2).

5. Remove the alignment pin from the hole.

6.

Install the sleeve (2) onto the drill (1), if required.

7.

NOTE: During the reaming process, it is necessary to repeatedly remove the drill and clean the chips from the hole.

Drill out the threads of the damaged hole.

Drill the hole until the stop collar of the drill bit or the sleeve contacts the bushing.

WARNING: Refer to Safety Glasses and Compressed Air Warning.

8. Using compressed air, clean out any chips.

9.

Using a tap wrench, tap the threads of the drilled hole.

10.

Using a TAP wrench, tap the threads of the drilled hole.

In order to tap the new threads to the proper depth, rotate the tap into the hole until the mark (3) on the tap align with the top of the drill bushing (2).

11. Remove the fixture plate (1), bushing (2), and bolts.

WARNING: Refer to Safety Glasses and Compressed Air Warning. WARNING: Refer to Cleaning Solvent Warning.

12. Using compressed air, clean out any chips.

13. Spray cleaner into the hole. Refer to Adhesives, Fluids, Lubricants, and Sealers.

14. Using compressed air, clean any cutting oil and chips out of the hole.

15.

NOTE: Do not allow oil or other foreign material to contact the outside diameter (OD) of the insert.

Lubricate the threads of the installer tool (2) with the driver oil (1).

16.

Install the insert (2) onto the driver tool (1).

17.

Apply threadlock LOCTITE 277, EN 42385 - 109 Loctite (1), or equivalent to the insert OD threads (2).

18.

Install the insert and driver (1) into the hole.

Rotate the driver tool until the mark on the tool aligns with the deck surface of the engine block.

The installer tool will tighten up before screwing completely through the insert. This is acceptable. You are forming the bottom threads of the insert and mechanically locking the insert to the base material threads.

SERVICE PRIOR TO ASSEMBLY

The importance of cleanliness during assembly cannot be overstated. Dirt or debris will cause engine damage. An automobile engine is a combination of many machined, honed, polished and lapped surfaces with tolerances that are measured in ten thousandths of an inch. When any internal engine parts are serviced, care and cleanliness are important. A liberal coating of engine oil should be applied to friction areas during assembly in order to protect and lubricate the surfaces on initial operation. Throughout this section, it should be understood that proper cleaning and protection of machined surfaces and friction areas are part of the repair procedure. This is considered standard shop practice even if not specifically stated.

Lubricate all moving parts with engine oil or a specified assembly lubricant. This will provide lubrication for initial start up.

READ NEXT: