I own a 98 Civic. The oil pan gasket was leaking, so I decided to replace it. But I removed the oil pan just to discover that the old gasket was GLUED by some moronic mechanic with something that is so hard that I can bet is epoxy. I managed to CUT the old gasket with a knife, but there are residues of the glue all over the oil pan.

I live in a country where I cannot buy a new pan (is not longer available) nor import it. Would it be a bad idea if I try to remove the residue with a wire brush / sandpaper up to a very small grit?

Any other solutions? Adding red silicone between the gasket and the pan would be a bad idea?

 

I replaced the oil pan gasket on my 93 del sol si D16Z6 because it was leaking and I had the same hard black residue. I think it's just the original gasket material that carbonized from the heat over 20 years.

I tried brake cleaner and a plastic scraper and a lot of scrubbing to get it off.
I used the red heat silicon to replace the new one and I was afraid of overtorquing the bolts so I think I undertorqued them and I still have a little leak.

It's a PITA job when you don't have a lift.

I'm going to have to do it again eventually.

 

Yes, you can do that and be okay. Just pay attention to what you are doing, and stop once you get the gunk off.
Silicone will probably be fine, assuming it is impervious to oil (not sure color matters, but it should say on the package). Just make sure you have clean surfaces for it and follow the directions on the tube.

 

Do not use silicone or any gasket RTV for the oil pan gasket.

Most oil leaks come from improper installation where people tend to overtighten the bolts.

Follow the torque specs and sequence when installing and no more leaks.

they dont tighten very tight, but it seems to work just fine when done correctly.

 

you can use a soft wire wheel on a bench grinder then use a good rtv sealer, then as previously said torque to spec.[QUOTE]sprung from cages off highway 9[QUOTE]