Is changing a cracked oil pan something one can do at home?

I have a 1998 Dodge Neon which I am told has a cracked oil pan (car went in for something else). They want to charge almost $400 for replacing it, but I find oil pans for Neons on eBay salvaged for $35, new for $50 plus shipping. Do you have to replace any other parts when replacing the oil pan? I'm just wondering why the fee is so darn high and looking for a way to save some cash!





Thanks so much to anyone with any feedback!Is changing a cracked oil pan something one can do at home?
Chris this is a filthy job and has a good amount of undertaking with it too however if you have the proper equipment and the tools yes but you have to have the car jacked up high enough to drain out the old oil and then carefull remove all the pan bolts all around,you have to have enough clearance for it to be a successful job.Do you have a friend that has an old shop with a hydrolic lift there for this type of work?Is changing a cracked oil pan something one can do at home?
Sure you can do it in about an hour if you have tools and knowledge. If the gasket is neopreme, you will not need to replace it, but you will need new oil %26amp; filter, and maybe a little black silicone. Oil pan bolts are not much more than finger tight, so don't go armstronging or you will buy a new gasket.
yes it can be done at home. You need to get a new gasket just to be safe, oil and new filter. Be very careful when tightening the bolts, it is a pain if you break one, don't overtighten.
First let me ask you this, Have you noticed any type of oil leak under your car? If your answer is no then heres something for you to do. Go take your car to a independent shop-one you trust and not the place you took your car the first time. Find out if there is a problem with your oil pan. If there is then have it fixed, but from I am reading into this is that you probably do not have a cracked oil pan and that the place you took it to just might have been trying to charge you for something that does not need repairing, that is illegal and you should report them for this to the local DA and Police department plus contact the Better Business Bureau about this and let them take it from there. You might also be able to take them to court for misrepresentation.
yes the oil pan gasket and oil ,and u shoyld not have any problems doing it yourself
It is a filthy job at the best of times but perhaps the crossmember of engine need to be removed to facilitate changing it.
Yes, and it is very easy!
It's gotta be easier than an oil pan on a 95 v-6 fullsize dodge van,(did one once-WHAT a pain), or an eighties 2 wd s-10 chev,(also big job). If you attempt it, do yourself a favor and drain the pan the day before so when you get the pan off finally, you're not dripping oil off the crankshaft as bad.
It is doable (just). the reason for the high labor charge is that the engine has to come off it's mounts in order to raise it high enough to remove the pan. If you have access to an engine hoist, I'd say go for it; if not, you're better off and safer paying the $ 400.





In addition to the pan, you're looking at a complete set of pan gaskets (which may be in one piece, or as many as four), plus gasket sealer cement and of course, an oil change will be necessary, since you can't remove a full pan.





Good luck!