Name: Oil pan/sump gasket replacement
Brand: AutoGuru
Rating: 4.5 (29 reviews)

Frequently Asked Questions

Once you fill out your details, you’ll be shown the ‘search results’ which displays instant fixed-price quotes from local service providers that can be booked online.

Yes. Once you have entered in your vehicle details and location, you’ll be able to browse through available repair tasks or inspections that you would like a quote for.

Car servicing, inspections and minor repairs such as brakes can be instantly quoted and booked online. For complex repairs, we’ll get local service providers to give you a personalised quote.

Nope! Customers who book with AutoGuru pay no fees.

AutoGuru can provide servicing and repair quotes for the majority of passenger vehicles on Australian roads. If you don’t see your vehicle listed, we’re really sorry but at this time we don’t have sufficient details on this vehicle type to provide you with quotes. Please try us again in the future though, as we are always updating our vehicle listings!

Yes. For the work included in the quote, the price you’re quoted is the final price you’ll pay.

Instantly priced quotes for servicing and repair work via AutoGuru.com.au include parts, labour and GST. Note: Quotes for inspection and diagnostic jobs do not include pricing for parts.

Service providers are advised to contact you directly in order to discuss additional work that is not included in the initial quote.

Inclusions for basic and logbook services can be found on the search results page or the booking finalise page under the ‘What’s included?’ button. Find out more

Yes! You can book with a mobile service provider that can come to your home or workplace. Find out more

No. The Australian Competition & Consumer Commission (ACCC) states that any certified mechanical workshop or mobile mechanic can service or repair your car without voiding your New Car Manufacturers Warranty. Find out more

Yes. For logbook services, the service provider will sign and stamp your logbook to meet manufacturer requirements. If the service provider has not stamped your logbook, please contact them directly to arrange a time for them to stamp your logbook.

Yes. Please click the 'manage my booking' link on your booking confirmation email. If you need help email contactus@autoguru.com.au.

If you booked through AutoGuru and your booking has been confirmed, you can reschedule to a new date or time. Simply click the 'manage my booking' link on your booking confirmation email. If you need help email contactus@autoguru.com.au. If you cancel or don't show up and don't reschedule (and you have prepaid in advance), a $20 cancellation fee will apply.

If you’ve booked with a workshop, the service provider will usually require your vehicle for the entire day due to scheduling. If you’ve booked with a mobile provider, you will only be without your vehicle for the time it takes to complete the job. Find out more

Yes! Some service providers can offer a loan car depending on their availability. Find out more

Most service providers also offer either a drop off or pick up service, where they can drop you off at or pick you up from a location within a 5km radius of their business, or a $10 Uber ride voucher. Find out more

For servicing, inspections and select repairs, we can provide instant quotes. However, some tasks require a quote request to be sent to service providers. You will usually receive at least one quote within 24 hours.

If you have sent off a quote request to local service providers through AutoGuru, you can expect to receive up to five quotes back.

Didn’t receive a quote? No worries! Email contactus@autoguru.com.au and we'll see if we can help.

Booking your car service or repair through AutoGuru gives you access to these convenient payment options:

1. Pay upfront and online using your credit or debit card or PayPal
2. Flexible payment options with Afterpay, humm, Zip or PayPal
3. In some instances, you can choose to pay the mechanic when you pick your car up and the service and/or repairs have been completed

Yes, all service providers should provide an invoice when you pick up the car. Find out more

How much does a oil pan/sump gasket replacement cost?

You change your car’s engine oil routinely, keeping it clean and fresh inside your engine.

There’s a drain plug on your oil pan, also known as your engine sump, to let the oil out before you add new engine oil.

The oil pan bolts to the bottom side of your engine from where it’s pumped throughout the engine. Over time, it’s possible for oil to escape from somewhere other than the drain plug: the oil pan gasket.

This gasket can deteriorate over years or thousands of kilometres, or due to loose oil pan bolts or a faulty gasket.

This leads to oil spots on your driveway, and low crankcase oil levels. Simply tightening the oil pan bolts might slow the leak, but once it has started, the only true repair is an oil pan or sump gasket replacement.

What is an oil pan or sump gasket?

The engine oil pan gasket is a paper, metal, or silicone-like material known as RTV that keeps the engine oil sealed on the inside.

If the oil pan gasket develops a leak, the only correction is to replace the oil pan gasket.

The oil pan gasket itself is normally a very small part of the repair cost, while labour is the largest portion of the repair.

Symptoms requiring an oil pan/sump gasket replacement

Oil spots noticed on the ground.
The engine oil level is low.
Oil ‘washing’ across the bottom of the engine, sometimes causing a burning smell if it hits the exhaust manifold or pipe.

How is the oil pan gasket replacement performed?

The technician drains the engine oil completely from the engine.
The oil pan bolts are removed and the oil pan is dislodged, often with light taps from a rubber mallet.
The gasket material is removed from the sealing surface on both the oil pan and the engine. A razor scraper or wire wheel are commonly used to remove RTV sealant.
All oil remnants and debris are cleaned from the sump pan, the exposed engine parts, and the sealing surfaces.
The new seal is installed or new RTV sealant is applied to the oil pan’s sealing surface, then the oil pan is installed in place.
The oil pan bolts are tightened to the proper torque specification, then new oil is installed into the engine.

Tips to remember

Any contamination on the oil pan gasket surface will prevent a complete seal. It must be totally clean.
New oil and a new filter should always be installed when the sump gasket replacement is performed.
Check your oil level at every fuel fill for early detection of oil leaks.

Why it’s important to replace your sump gasket

If the engine oil level is low, your engine is at risk of overheating, premature wear, internal corrosion and sludge buildup.

As soon as the oil pan gasket has been deemed faulty, it should be replaced to prevent future engine issues. The cost of a sump gasket replacement is minor compared to an engine repair.

If you’ve read this far, you obviously care about your car. A lot. So next time you need a service, repair or inspection, visit AutoGuru.com.au.

We let you search and book from over 1600 qualified mechanics, who eat car troubles for breakfast.

Image credit - 3ndymion

Frequently Asked Questions

Oil pan/sump gasket replacement