I just changed my oil pan gasket on a 2002 Sable w/ a Duratec. It has the same engine as my Mazda MPV which I did the same thing to 2 months ago. Here's my "How To".
- Remove exhaust "Y" section - (2 bolts, 4 nuts) + loosen 1 bracket nut. Disconnect both oxygen sensor connectors. Y section comes out.
- Remove bracket from 2 oil pan bolts to tranny (5 bolts/nuts)
- (So far you've removed/loosened 12 bolts/nuts and have free access to the oil pan.) So remove the pan and clean surfaces.
- Put 2 dabs of black RTV gasket maker at these 2 points only and reverse procedure.
