I have been researching the oil pan install procedures, so I can do this correctly. I have read the repair manual, and have one question since the Honda manual does not clarify the cure time for the Ultra Flange II.

After installing, torquing, and 30 minutes, how long is it before you can drive after completing a oil pan install?

 

When I did my oil jet bolts I waited 2 hours before I added oil and 6 more hours before I drove it. No leaks. The longer you can wait the better, obviously

 

I waited overnight, but probably not necessary to wait that long.

 

i waited an hour when i did my pan...but i went and grabbed lunch so it worked out

 

when I did my oil pan I was working on other stuff at the same time and yes... like 1hr then re-torque to make sure and thats it...

 

Can you wait overnight, like 12 hours, the longer the better , even 24 hours, but if you have to drive the car at least a couple hours minimum, but I'd time it so it can sit overnight if possible.

On the procedure, you should apply Hondabond (or Permatex Ultragrey) onto the oil pan in an even bead that resembles a typical spaghetti strand. Then install the oil pan bolts by hand, tighten them down until you see the gasket material oozing out around the perimeter in an even pattern - not torque based. At that point stop turning the bolts and let the pan sit for at least 45-60 minutes, then go back and torque the bolts to spec in 2 steps and in proper bolt order.

 

Thanks for the input!

In the manual it also says to tighten in steps. What does that necessarily mean, I feel like I'm missing something?

 

Step 1: Tighten bolts in a criss-cross pattern.
Step 2: Torque bolts to 8lbs in criss-cross pattern.
Step 3: Drink beer.
Step 4: Profit.

 

Torque in steps is done by tightening the bolts hand tight, then torque at 50% of the final torque spec in the proper order, then go back and do the final torque at 100% of the final torque spec in proper order. Final torque is pretty low at 8.7 ft lbs, you could easily do it in two steps, that should be good enough. The main thing is just to do all bolts evenly in stages rather than torquing each bolt fully. Remember to put the longer bolts in their proper hole,there are three different sized bolts.

 

The Oil pan is on, and has another 7 hrs left for the Ultra flange to fully cure; at this point everything looks good.

Ultra flange comes out of the can a little thicker than I expected. I applied the Ultra Flange as indicated in the manual, laid a straight line around the pan, watched out for gobbing, and did not smooth it out with my finger. I have a little of the gasket coming through on the outside, but wander about the inside. If too much of the gasket seeps inside, can it possibly damage the internals?