Vehicles with the Ecotec 2.0L, 2.2L or 2.4L engine may have an undersized oil drain plug thread insert that was installed incorrectly or has moved during the re-installation of the drain plug while doing an oil change. Once the insert has moved, the threads have a much higher chance of stripping. Stripped drain plug threads can cause the drain plug to loosen or not tighten, resulting in an oil leak.
Another common occurrence of an oil leak comes from the vehicle bottoming out, hitting the oil pan, and causing a crack. This condition is most common in the Chevy HHR.
Oil Pan Replacement
1.) Remove the oil level indicator and tube.
2.) Raise and support the vehicle.
3.) Place a drain pan under the oil pan drain plug.
4.) Remove the oil pan drain plug.
5.) Drain oil.
6.) Re-install the oil pan drain plug.
7.) Remove the engine drive belt.
8.) Remove the lower air conditioning (A/C) compressor bolt.
9.) If the vehicle is equipped with a manual transaxle, remove the 2 lower transaxle bolts.
10.) If the vehicle is equipped with an automatic transaxle, remove the 4 lower transaxle bolts.
11.) Remove the oil pan bolts.
12.) Remove the oil pan.
13.) Clean all gasket sealing surfaces and ensure that the oil pan and the sealing surface on the lower crankcase are free of all oil and debris.
14.) Apply a 2 mm bead of sealant (1) around the perimeter of the oil pan and the oil suction port opening. DO NOT over apply the sealant. More than a 2 mm bead is not required.
15.) Install the oil pan, tighten oil pan bolts in the sequence shown.
16.) Reverse removal procedure to install.
Tighten the oil pan bolts in the sequence shown, Tighten the bolts to 25 N.m (18 lb ft).
*If the vehicle is equipped with an automatic transaxle, the 4 lower transaxle bolts. Tighten the bolts to 75 N.m (55 lb ft).
*If the vehicle is equipped with a manual transaxle, remove the 2 lower transaxle bolts. Tighten the bolts to 75 N.m (55 lb ft)
*Install the lower A/C compressor bolt. Tighten the bolt to 20 N.m (15 lb ft).
You can purchase a new oil pan here. Please check your vehicle against the vehicle compatibility list.