99 blazer. ..Do i have to remove the front differential to replace the engine oil pan gasket? Any tips/Procedure instructions would be helpful. A list of parts to purchase before starting this project would also be helpful. Thanks

 

It is either that or pull the engine. Dropping the front diff housing is definitely the easier of the two.

What makes you think that you have to replace the gasket? The stock gasket is more of an o-ring than a gasket and isn't prone to failure or really leaking unless there are other things at work. Most common is the pan bolts loosening up.


My old '00 Bravada had this problem and it required pulling each of the bolts, cleaning the bolts as well as the holes really well with brake cleaner, then reinstalling the bolts with some medium strength Loctite. I had tightened them several times before and it would last a few months before the drip would return. Cleaning the holes/bolts and using Loctite solved the problem.

 

I'm thinking it's the gasket. I pulled out the 2 plugs to gain access to the 2 oil pan nuts which is where i see oil wet spots not drips. Its a very slow leak. Im almost sure it's not the rear main seal because then the wet spots would show more to the center of the pan rather then the left and right just under those pan nuts i mentioned.

tighten the nuts/bolts with a torque wrench to spec?

 

Yes, 1999 and later models, tighten all to 18 foot lbs, get a chiltons or Haynes book to get the pattern for tightening.

 

I cleaned then tightened the pan bolts/nuts and it seems to have stopped the leak. Thanks for the info