GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only
Makes 🢒 GMC_Truck 🢒 2003 🢒 Savana 🢒 Engine 🢒 Engine Mechanical - 4.3L 🢒 Oil Pan Replacement

Removal Procedure

    Object Number: 188048 Size: SH
  1. Disconnect the battery negative cable. Refer to Battery Negative Cable Disconnection and Connection .
  2. Raise the vehicle. Refer to Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle .
  3. Remove the oil pan drain plug and drain the engine oil into a suitable container.
  4. Remove the oil filter.
  5. Remove the oil filter adapter. Refer to Oil Filter Adapter Replacement .
  6. If equipped with AWD, remove the front differential carrier. Refer to Differential Carrier Assembly Replacement .

    7. Object Number: 535378 Size: SH
  7. Remove the bolt holding the bracket for the starter wire and the transmission cooler pipes.
  8. Remove the crankcase position (CKP) sensor wiring harness from the retainer.
  9. Remove the starter. Refer to Starter Motor Replacement .

    10. Object Number: 334324 Size: SH
  10. Remove the transmission cover.

    11. Object Number: 331034 Size: SH
  11. Remove the access plugs for the oil pan rear nuts.

    12. Object Number: 477866 Size: SH
  12. Remove the transmission to oil pan bolts.

    13. Object Number: 387460 Size: SH

    Important: The low oil level sensor is not reusable. Use a NEW low oil level sensor.

  13. Remove and discard the engine oil level sensor, if applicable.

    14. Object Number: 330559 Size: SH
  14. Remove the oil pan bolts and nuts.

    15. Object Number: 330568 Size: SH
  15. Remove the oil pan.

    16. Object Number: 387757 Size: SH
  16. Remove the oil pan gasket.
  17. Discard the oil pan gasket.
  18. Clean all sealing surfaces on the engine and the oil pan. Refer to Oil Pan Cleaning and Inspection .

Installation Procedure

    Object Number: 317310 Size: SH

    Notice: Any time the transmission and the engine oil pan are off of the engine at the same time, install the transmission before the oil pan. This is to allow for the proper oil pan alignment. Failure to achieve the correct oil pan alignment can result in transmission failure.

  1. Apply a 5 mm (0.197 in) wide and 25 mm (1.0 in) long bead of adhesive to both the right and left sides of the engine front cover to engine block junction at the oil pan sealing surfaces. Refer to Adhesives, Fluids, Lubricants, and Sealers for the correct part number.

    2. Object Number: 317313 Size: SH
  2. Apply a 5 mm (0.197 in) wide and 25 mm (1.0 in) long bead of adhesive to both the right and left sides of the crankshaft rear oil seal housing to engine block junction at the oil pan sealing surfaces. Refer to Adhesives, Fluids, Lubricants, and Sealers for the correct part number.

    3. Object Number: 387757 Size: SH

    Important: Always install a NEW oil pan gasket.

    The oil pan gasket and oil pan must be installed and the fasteners tightened while the adhesive is still wet to the touch.

  3. Install the NEW oil pan gasket into the groove in the oil pan.

    4. Object Number: 330568 Size: SH

    Important: The oil pan alignment must always be flush or forward no more than 0.3 mm (0.011 in) from the rear face of the engine block.

  4. Install the oil pan onto the engine block.

    5. Press the oil pan gasket into the grooves of the engine front cover and crankshaft rear oil seal housing.

  5. Slide the oil pan back against a suitable straight edge.

    6. Object Number: 38496 Size: SH
  6. Install the oil pan bolts and nuts, but do not tighten.
  7. Measure the pan-to-transmission housing clearance using a feeler gage and a straight edge.

    8. Use a feeler gage to check the clearance between the oil pan-to-transmission housing measurement points. If the clearance exceeds 0.3 mm (0.011 in) at any of the 3 oil pan-to-transmission housing measurement points (1), then repeat the step until the oil pan-to-transmission housing clearance is within the specification. The oil pan must always be forward of the rear face of the engine block.

    Notice: Refer to Fastener Notice in the Preface section.


    Object Number: 38481 Size: SH
  8. Tighten the oil pan bolts and nuts in sequence (1-12).

    9. Tighten
    Tighten the oil pan bolts to 25 N·m (18 lb ft).

  9. Measure the clearance between the 3 oil pan-to-transmission housing measurement points in order to ensure proper alignment.

    10. Object Number: 188048 Size: SH
  10. Install a NEW oil pan drain plug seal (O-ring) onto the oil pan drain plug.
  11. Install the oil pan drain plug into the oil pan.

    12. Tighten
    Tighten the oil pan drain plug to 25 N·m (18 lb ft).


    Object Number: 387460 Size: SH
  12. Install the NEW engine oil level sensor, if applicable.

    13. Tighten
    Tighten the engine oil level sensor to 13 N·m (115 lb in).


    Object Number: 477866 Size: SH
  13. Install the transmission to oil pan bolts.

    14. Tighten
    Tighten the bolts to 47 N·m (35 lb ft).


    Object Number: 334324 Size: SH
  14. Install the transmission cover.

    15. Tighten
    Tighten the transmission cover bolts to 12 N·m (106 lb in).


    Object Number: 331034 Size: SH
  15. Install the access plugs for the oil pan rear nuts.
  16. Install the starter motor. Refer to Starter Motor Replacement .

    17. Object Number: 535378 Size: SH
  17. Install the bolt holding the bracket for the starter wiring harness and the transmission cooler pipes.

    18. Tighten
    Tighten the bracket bolt to 9 N·m (80 lb in).

  18. Install the CKP sensor wiring harness in the retainer.
  19. Install the oil filter adapter. Refer to Oil Filter Adapter Replacement .
  20. Install the oil filter and the oil pan drain plug. Refer to Engine Oil and Oil Filter Replacement .
  21. If equipped with AWD, install the front differential carrier. Refer to Differential Carrier Assembly Replacement .
  22. Lower the vehicle.
  23. Fill the crankcase with engine oil. Refer to Engine Oil and Oil Filter Replacement .
  24. Connect the battery negative cable. Refer to Battery Negative Cable Disconnection and Connection .