I am trying to figure out why GM made removing the oil pan on my '96 2.2L so freakin difficult. Anyone have any advice on how to make it go easier. Do you have to really remove the engine mount strut, and how do you get at those bolts by the AC compressor if you do? Don't even tell me that has to come out.

There are two nicely tucked in bolts beneath the engine mount bracket that I cannot get to. Any advice?
I'm almost at the point that I'm going to take it to the shop down the road and have them clean out the pan and finish the oil change and coolant flush that needs to be done.

Thanks again,
Steve

Got to take out the C-bar looking thing that bolts from the front and rear of the motor out. It's 4 1/2 bolts plus the rod that goes from that bracket to the tranny. The exaust has to come down also and i beleive when i did mine, i raised the engine some to help take the whole pan out. But to replace the gasket you just need to lower the pan enough and fit a new gasket in. It took me alot longer to do than i expected when i did mine.

Still struggling with that C bracket which goes directly beneath the pan. I got the rear two bolts next to the oil filter removed without a problem. But the front two bolts are near the AC compressor, which looks like it has to be removed to get at them. That just doesn't sound right to me.

Any pointers would be appreciated. My Chilton and Haynes manuals are useless for this info. Chilton doesn't even show the C bracket and Haynes is exceptionally vague on it.

Thanks!

just take the bolts out that hold the a/c compressor on. also take the belt off. once thats out of your way you can take the other 2 bolts out and drop the pan. it took me 6 hours to do it without air tools and having to run and get tools 3 miles away(btw i had to walk to get the tools). its not to bad once you get everthing out of the way. Its easy compared to doing oil pans on say a hummer. just take your time and dont get to frustrated with it.

Ok, so the compressor does have to be unbolted. I assume it can be moved enough without having to discharge the system.
Then I will proceed tomorrow with removing the AC compressor. For the record I would not have been in theis mess if pieces of the old timing chain tensioner that self-destructed didn't wind up in the pan.

Anything else I should be looking out for?? Thanks again for your help.

Get a new oil pump and put it in while the pan is out. Saves you from doing it later on.