Oil Pan Gasket

This procedure covers removal and replacement of the oil pan gasket on a 2015-2020 Ford F-150 with the 3.5L EcoBoost V6 engine, requiring subframe lowering for access.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• Oil pan gasket × 1 — Use OEM specification
• Oil drain plug washer × 1 — Use OEM specification
• Engine oil filter × 1 — Motorcraft FL-500S or equivalent
• Oil pickup tube O-ring × 1 — Use OEM specification

Fluids

• Motorcraft 0W-20 Full Synthetic — 6 qt

Preparation

1. Park vehicle on a level surface and engage parking brake
2. Allow engine to cool completely (minimum 2 hours after operation)
3. Disconnect negative battery cable
4. Raise and safely support the front of the vehicle with jack stands at the frame rails
5. Remove front skid plate or belly pan if equipped
6. Place oil drain pan under engine oil drain plug

Procedure

1. 1

   Drain engine oil and remove filter
   Remove the oil drain plug and drain the engine oil completely. Remove the oil filter and allow additional oil to drain. Inspect the drain plug threads for damage. Clean the drain plug and install a new crush washer.
   Torque spec

   Oil Drain Plug35 Nm (26 lb-ft)
2. 2

   Remove front crossmember and lower engine components
   Remove the front engine splash shield. Disconnect the front sway bar links from the lower control arms on both sides. Remove any wiring harness brackets or clips attached to the front subframe that would interfere with lowering.
3. 3

   Support the front subframe
   Position a transmission jack or suitable support device under the center of the front subframe. Apply light upward pressure to support the weight of the subframe. Verify the jack is stable and centered before proceeding.
   ⚠️The subframe weighs over 100 lbs and supports steering/suspension components. Ensure the jack is positioned securely and will not slip during lowering.
4. 4

   Loosen subframe mounting bolts
   Locate the four front subframe mounting bolts (two on each side at the frame rails). Loosen all four mounting bolts approximately 3-4 turns, but do not remove them completely. The subframe should remain attached but able to lower. Verify equal loosening on both sides to prevent binding.
5. 5

   Lower the subframe
   Slowly lower the transmission jack to drop the front subframe approximately 4 inches. Lower evenly and stop frequently to check for any binding or interference with lines, hoses, or wiring. The subframe must remain parallel to the ground during lowering.
6. 6

   Disconnect oil level sensor
   Locate the oil level sensor on the side of the oil pan. Disconnect the electrical connector and remove the sensor from the oil pan. Inspect the O-ring on the sensor for damage.
7. 7

   Remove oil pan mounting bolts
   Remove all oil pan mounting bolts in a crisscross pattern starting from the outside and working inward. There are approximately 16-18 bolts around the perimeter of the pan. Keep bolts organized as some may be different lengths.
   Torque spec

   Oil Pan Bolts12 Nm (9 lb-ft)
8. 8

   Remove oil pan
   Carefully pry the oil pan away from the engine block using a plastic scraper or pry bar at the designated pry points. Do not use excessive force or pry on the gasket surface. The pan may be stuck due to gasket sealant. Once loose, lower the pan and maneuver it out from between the subframe and engine block.
   ⚠Do not damage the machined aluminum sealing surfaces on the oil pan or engine block. Any deep scratches or gouges will cause oil leaks.
9. 9

   Inspect and service oil pickup tube
   With the oil pan removed, inspect the oil pickup tube O-ring for damage or deterioration. If replacing, remove the pickup tube mounting bolts, replace the O-ring, and reinstall the pickup tube with new bolts torqued to specification.
10. 10

    Clean gasket surfaces
    Use a plastic gasket scraper to remove all old gasket material from both the oil pan and engine block mating surfaces. Clean surfaces thoroughly with brake cleaner and lint-free rags. Ensure no debris falls into the engine. Inspect both surfaces for damage, warping, or deep scratches.
11. 11

    Install new oil pan gasket
    Position the new oil pan gasket on the oil pan. Some gaskets are adhesive-backed and will stick to the pan. If specified by the gasket manufacturer, apply a small bead of RTV silicone at the corners where the front cover meets the engine block and at the rear main seal area. Use RTV sparingly to avoid excess squeezing into the oil passages.
12. 12

    Install oil pan
    Carefully maneuver the oil pan with gasket into position between the subframe and engine block. Align the pan with the engine block and hand-thread all mounting bolts. Do not fully tighten any bolts yet. Ensure the gasket remains properly positioned during installation.
    ℹ️Oil pan installation is difficult with the subframe in place. Take your time aligning the pan to avoid damaging the new gasket.
13. 13

    Torque oil pan bolts to specification
    Torque all oil pan bolts in the proper sequence starting from the center and working outward in a crisscross pattern. Follow the torque specification exactly. Make multiple passes if needed, gradually bringing all bolts to final torque to ensure even gasket compression.
    Torque spec

    Oil Pan Bolts12 Nm (9 lb-ft)
14. 14

    Reinstall oil level sensor
    Install the oil level sensor into the oil pan with a new O-ring if provided. Torque to specification and reconnect the electrical connector.
15. 15

    Raise and secure subframe
    Using the transmission jack, carefully raise the front subframe back to its original position. Align the subframe mounting holes with the frame rail holes. Torque all four subframe mounting bolts to the higher specification in a crisscross pattern to ensure even seating.
16. 16

    Reinstall front suspension and shield components
    Reconnect the front sway bar links to the lower control arms. Reinstall any wiring harness brackets or clips. Install the front engine splash shield and front skid plate if equipped.
17. 17

    Install new oil filter and fill with oil
    Install a new oil filter after lubricating the gasket with clean oil. Fill the engine with 6 quarts of Motorcraft 0W-20 full synthetic engine oil. Do not overfill.

Reassembly

1. Reinstall the oil drain plug with new washer and torque to specification
2. Reconnect the negative battery cable
3. Lower the vehicle from jack stands

Verification

• Start the engine and verify the oil pressure warning light extinguishes within 2-3 seconds
• Allow the engine to idle for 5 minutes while monitoring for leaks around the oil pan gasket
• Shut off the engine and wait 5 minutes for oil to drain back to the pan
• Check the oil level on the dipstick and adjust if necessary to the full mark
• Perform a short test drive, then re-inspect the oil pan for any signs of leakage
• Verify no leaks at the subframe mounting points and that steering operates normally

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