How do I Replace a 2003 V6 Mustang Oil Pan?

The oil pan in your 2003 V6 Ford Mustang is secured to the bottom of the engine block, and it holds a certain amount of oil for the lubrication system to do its job. If the pan in your Mustang becomes damaged and begins to leak oil, you need to install a new pan. You can replace the pan at home with the help of some special tools.

Removing the Used Pan

• 1

  Park your Mustang on level ground. Raise the front of the vehicle with a floor jack. Position two jack stands under the frame for support. Apply the parking brake, and block the rear wheels with chocks.

• 2

  Place a clean, large drain pan under the engine oil pan. Remove the drain plug with a wrench. Allow the oil to drain completely. Cover the pan to keep dirt off the oil for later reuse.

• 3

  Remove the black negative battery cable, air cleaner tube and coolant recovery reservoir with a wrench.

• 4

  Detach the upper radiator shield with a ratchet and socket.

• 5

  Slide the drain pan under the oil filter. Remove the oil filter with a filter wrench.

• 6

  Set up engine lifting brackets and a support fixture on top of the engine compartment, and secure the engine.

• 7

  Remove the left and right motor mounts with a ratchet and socket.

• 8

  Take off the starter motor with a ratchet, short ratchet extension and socket.

• 9

  Unfasten and lower the engine support bracket just enough to gain access to all the oil pan mounting bolts.

• 10

  Detach the wiring harness bracket next to the oil pan. Remove the pan with a ratchet, ratchet extension and socket. Remove the oil pan from the vehicle.

Installing the New Oil Pan

• 1

  Clean the engine block mating surface with a gasket scraper and solvent. Let it dry completely. Apply a light coat of silicone sealant to the oil pan gasket mating surface. Set a new pan gasket on the pan. Position the pan under the engine block. Install the pan mounting bolts, and tighten them with your fingers. Tighten the bolts alternately with a torque wrench, working toward the rear of the engine, to 44 inch-pounds (5 Nm) and then to 88 inch-pounds (10 Nm). Tighten the three bolts that hold the transmission housing bell to 33 foot-pounds (45 Nm). Make sure the pan drain plug is correctly installed.

• 2

  Reinstall the wiring harness to the oil pan and the engine support bracket. Tighten the larger upper bolts to 85 foot-pounds (115 Nm) and the smaller ones to 68 foot-pounds (90 Nm) with the torque wrench.

• 3

  Replace the starter motor, and tighten the bolts to 18 foot-pounds (15 Nm) with the torque wrench.

• 4

  Install the left and right motor mounts, and tighten the bolts to 85 foot-pounds (115 Nm) with the torque wrench.

• 5

  Replace the oil filter by hand. Replace the upper radiator shield with the ratchet and socket.

• 6

  Lower your Mustang with the floor jack.

• 7

  Connect the black negative battery cable, air cleaner tube and coolant recovery reservoir with the wrench.

• 8

  Refill the engine with oil using a small funnel.

• 9

  Check the oil pan for leaks.