Oil Sump Gasket replacement & repair made easy

The sump gasket forms the seal between the bottom of the engine block and sump pan. The oil sump gasket is a basic seal made from various materials according to the requirements of the manufacturer. On some vehicles, the gasket is actually a sealant, rather than a physical part.

There will be different requirement of the process depending on the engine manufacturer, but the basic requirement is similar as follows;

• The vehicles will be raised to allow access underneath.
• Mechanic will inspect the oil sump and the gasket.
• The engine oil will be drained.
• The oil sump pan will be removed.
• The surfaces of the components will be cleaned.
• A new sump gasket will be fitted or in some cases, new sealant will be applied.
• Mechanic will advise if any other parts need to be replaced.
• Mechanic will run the engine and check for any leaks.

Unless you are a qualified mechanic with the required skills, training and equipment to do the job, we strongly recommend an oil sump gasket replacement is only carried out by a professional mechanic. ClickMechanic can help get you a vetted and local mechanic to carry out the work. Just enter your postcode and your car's registration number at the top of this page and select the work needed to get an instant fixed price up front.

As the component is simple, there are only a couple of points to look for;

• Oil seeping out between the oil sump and the cylinder block.
• Patches of oil under the car (if no engine undertray fitted)

On average, oil sump gasket replacement times can range from 1.5 to 4 hours with an average of 2.5 hours. The time that the job takes will depend on a number of factors, like your vehicle's make and model, year, as well as other factors. Select your car at the top of this page for information on job time and cost for your vehicle through ClickMechanic.

If there is only a very small, damp oil area around the gasket, it may just need tightening down. However, anything more than that requires the oil sump gasket to be replaced, and this should be done as soon as possible as it will only get worse.

As every car pretty much has one and it is subject to expansion and contraction as the engine goes from cold to hot and back again, one of the most common causes of engine oil leaks is the oil sump.

If you suspect there is any issue with your vehicle's engine oil pan gasket or there are concerns about its age or condition, book an inspection with a professional mechanic as soon as possible. Driving the vehicle may lead to further complications and engine damage.

The oil sump gasket is not usually part of the MOT test so it shouldn't result in an MOT failure. However, if the oil sump gasket is causing a severe oil leak, it could result in an MOT failure.