How to Change the Oil Pan Gasket on a 1997 Cadillac

1). Allow the engine to cool down completely.
2). Locate the center jacking point under the Cadillac's front frame section.
3). Center the hydraulic jack under the jacking point and turn the knob clockwise to prepare the jack to raise the vehicle.
4). Raise the vehicle up so that the jack stands will fit under each of the Cadillac's side support points.
5). Place the jack stands under the support points and engage the locking bar.
6). Lower the hydraulic jack by slowly turning the knob clockwise until the car is seated on the jack stands.
7). Place the drain pan under the oil pan drain plug.
8). Remove the oil drain plug using the crescent wrench and turning counterclockwise.
9). Remove the oil filter using the oil filter wrench and turning counterclockwise.
10

Remove all the oil pan bolts by using the 3/8-inch drive ratchet and 3/8-inch socket, turning counterclockwise.
11

Separate the oil pan from the engine block with the blade of the gasket scraper.
12

Remove all the gasket material from the oil pan and the engine block using the gasket scraper.
13

Install the new oil filter by hand-turning clockwise. Turn the oil filter hand tight then turn 1/2 to 2/3 more by hand.
14

Place the new oil pan gasket on the oil pan, lining up the holes in the gasket with the holes in the oil pan.
15

Position the oil pan against the engine block, lining up the bolt holes in the pan with the bolt holes in the block.
16

Hold the oil pan in place and start a bolt on each end of the oil pan to hold it in place. Then start all the bolts until they are hand tight.
17

Use the 3/8-drive ratchet and 3/8-inch socket turning clockwise to install all the oil pan bolts.Tighten the bolts in an alternating pattern from side to side so that the oil pan seats evenly.
18

Reinstall the oil pan drain plug by using the crescent wrench and turning the plug counterclockwise.
19

Open the hood and open the oil fill cap located on the left side of the engine.
20

Fill the engine with 5 quarts of 10W-30 motor oil and reinstall the oil fill cap.
21

Slide the hydraulic jack back under the front of the car and center it at the middle jacking point.
22

Raise the car up off the jack stands by turning the knob clockwise and lifting and lowering the jack handle.
23

Remove the jack stands and lower the hydraulic jack slowly by turning the knob counterclockwise until the car is on the floor.
24

Start the engine and allow it to run and circulate the oil into the filter. Turn off the engine and wait about 5 minutes for all the oil to drain into the oil pan. Locate the oil level dipstick. Pull it out, wipe it clean, replace it fully into the dipstick tunnel, wait a second or two, and pull it out again. Check that it has oil up to the full mark on the dipstick. Do not overfill the engine. This can cause serious engine damage.