How Much Does It Cost to Replace an Oil Pan Gasket?
Oil is the lifeblood of your car. It keeps the moving parts lubricated and running smoothly, so you can drive with a clear mind and know that your car will make it from point A to point B, but the parts that keep oil healthy and within your engine can be just as important.
The oil pan gasket is one of these parts. The problems caused by a faulty one can start out relatively small, but eventually grow into a threat to the longevity of your vehicle.
Despite its small size, these gaskets are vital to maintaining a healthy car and keeping the oil on the inside of your engine rather than the outside. Small oil leaks may seem insignificant at the time, but consistent leaking and loss of oil can lead to much more expensive problems down the line.
Oil Pan Gaskets: What do they do?
The oil pan is responsible for keeping the bottom of your engine covered and your oil within it. The oiling system operates at high pressure, and without a gasket, the oil pan will not seal to the bottom of the engine. The oil pan gasket is responsible for this seal. It cushions the connection between the oil pan and the rest of the engine, and prevents oil from leaking through a loose connection or uneven machining.
These gaskets are often made from rubber or cork-rubber, and this material gradually degrades overtime with wear and tear, which can lead to small (and eventually big) leaks through the gap.
Symptoms of a Bad Oil Pan Gasket
A faulty gasket can make itself known in quite a few ways. Some of these problems can include:
- Check engine light
- Oil pressure light
- Oil leaks
- Engine overheating
How Much do Oil Pan Gaskets Cost to Replace?
The gaskets are typically inexpensive as far as parts go, but the cost of both the parts and labor vary heavily depending on the type of make and model. A domestic pickup truck will most likely cost much less for a replacement than a European sports car.
The part itself can vary anywhere between $40 to $150, but the majority of the cost will come in the form of labor.
Shop rates can also vary significantly, often depending on specialty and location, but many fall between the $50-$150 range. The real deciding factor in the cost is the difficulty in removing the oil pan and the amount of hours it takes to do so.
Many domestic or Japanese cars can be done within 2-4 hours, while other jobs can be much more complex. A V6 Camaro from 2012 needs its front subframe to be removed prior to replacing the gasket, so that job would require a considerable amount more time and would in turn cost more.
How Much Would it Cost for My Car?
Talking to a specialist and getting a quote for your specific vehicle will give you the best idea of how to go about the service, as each car and each area will be different.
In the end, you won’t want to wait to get your oil pan gasket replaced. While it may cost a bit right now, letting the problem linger could lead to some very pricey problems in the future.
Oil Pan gasket replacement at Becker Service Center
Becker Service Center in Naperville is your place for jobs like this! Our ASE Certified technicians service vehicles with the highest quality standards and have years of experience. Give us a call or schedule an appointment today!