Broken CPS/Dropping Oil Pan

[89Hatchback]

Well, now I've done it. The 2.8L in my Corsica died. In trying to replace the Crankshaft Position Sensor, the top broke off. I'm looking for additional ideas on how to get it out. Not a whole lot of space in there.

If I can't find a better way, I may have to drop the oil pan, but the factory manual is making it out to be a big production. I can see what I need to get off to get the bolts, but I've got a frame member about 2" below the passenger (pulley side) of the engine.

I don't know what's "inside" the pan. It looks to me if I can lower the driver's (flywheel) side 6" and the pulley side 2", and can slide it over 6", I can make the great escape. The question is, is it possible?

Thanks in Advance.

[Superdave]

i had to drop the pan in a '89 2.8 cavalier for the same reason.. it's fairly easy. Once the pan is off a flat head screwdriver will push the broken pieces right out.

in the cavalier i had to remove the starter and flexplate cover, after draining the oil and removing all the bolts the pan just needed to be wiggled around a little to get it out.

[89Hatchback]

Thanks. That's what I ended up having to do. All attempts to pull the pieces out failed.

I also had to take off the oil filter. I discovered the critical part is to wedge the pan as far toward the front passenger side so the back driver side can scrape past the transaxle.

I didn't have to remove the starter, just loosen it up.

[Superdave]

did you replace the pan gasket?

[89Hatchback]

Yes, I did. But the old one looked like it would probably work.

[Superdave]

Cool..

i made that mistake once, the old one leaked like hell even coated in RTV. the new Felpro rubber coated metal style holds up much better.

[89Hatchback]

I'm not sure what I put in. It's whatever Checker had. I wasn't in a position to be picky as the car isn't just my daily driver but my only driver. At this time all I know is that it's blue.

[89Hatchback]

Leaking CPS?

Well, suck. The car runs fine, but I'm seeing some drips under the car. Given the recent work, that's either oil pan gasket or leaking around the CPS. From the location, I'm guessing it's CPS, but I'll have to put the car up on jack stands to be sure. I doubt if it's the oil pump drive (the thing that goes where the distributer would be) since it looks all dry up there.

Given all the things I tried in getting the old CPS out, I may have scratched the block where the "O" ring goes. What's the best way to fix this (assuming my suspicions are confirmed)?

[Superdave]

it's pretty hard to damage the block enough to cause a drip like that.. but just to be safe i'd pull the CPS back out, clean the surfaces and coat it in RTV, then slide it back in.

check all your pan bolts, it's easy to forget one.. lol

[89Hatchback]

it's pretty hard to damage the block enough to cause a drip like that..

Oh, I tried hard .... to get the old one out! I was chipping pieces off in hopes that it would unstick.

I don't think I have any RTV in the toolbox. Any recommendations? Since it goes in the block I want to make sure it can take that.

[Superdave]

anything should work as long as it's oil resistant, i usually use black.

[89Hatchback]

After crawling under the car with a flashlight, the culprit is ....... rear valve cover.

Reading the book, it doesn't sound too bad, but there's a fair amount of stuff to move to get to it.

Oh, an the oil pan gasket is a fel-pro. So I guess I'm in good shape there.

But there's still a little drama left, but that's best for another thread. Stay tuned for the adventures of the gray beast. In the mean time I'll see if I an appease it with a bucket of soapy water.