OEM 2003 Ford Focus Oil Pan

2003 Ford Focus Oil Pan Parts Q&A

• Q: How to service and repair the oil pan on 2003 Ford Focus?

  A: The first step to repair or service the oil pan requires that you place the vehicle into neutral gear before placing it on a hoist system. Start by removing the battery tray and then disconnect the two positive battery cable pin-type retainers and set these parts alongside the transmission connector wire harness pin-type retainer. Proceed with removing the nut from the heated oxygen sensor (HO2S) to detach its wire connector bracket before removing the bracket from the sensor. A limit of 5 mm (0.19 in) relief applied to the upper bellhousing-to-engine bolt and stud bolt will prevent transmission damage. To commence the procedure start by taking out the oil level indicator and tube. Then loosen the two front lower bellhousing-to-engine bolts for automatic transmission or three manual transmission bolts by 5 mm (0.19 in). Lastly loosen the rear lower engine-to-bellhousing bolt and stud bolt by the same amount. You can remove the two bellhousing-to-oil pan bolts and the two oil pan bolts before transforming the transmission by 5 mm (0.19 in) in the rearward direction. You should first remove the two bolts holding the accessory drive belt splash shield before draining engine oil and then reinstall the drain plug securing it tightly with 28 Nm (21 lb-ft). Unbolt the four engine front cover-to-oil pan bolts followed by removing the eleven oil pan bolts before installing the parts while checking all mating surfaces without using abrasive tools. The application of sealant should begin by cleaning the metal surface area which requires 10 minutes to secure the oil pan. Afterwards, use a surface cleaner before allowing the area to dry. Place 2.5 mm (0.09 in) beads of silicone gasket and sealant on the interfaces between the oil pan and both engine block and engine front cover. Arrange the oil pan on the engine before installing its bolts with light pressure but secure the engine front cover-to-oil pan bolts at 10 Nm (89 lb-in) torque as a first step to align surfaces. Afterwards tighten all bolts to 25 Nm (18 lb-ft). Proceed according to the indicated order to tighten oil pan bolts to 25 Nm (18 lb-ft) then install the accessory drive belt splash shield while tightening its bolts to 9 Nm (80 lb-in). The transmission engine connection can be fitted by alternately tightening the front bellhousing-to-engine bolts with the rear engine-to-bellhousing lower bolts to reach 48 Nm (35 lb-ft). The technician should torque the remaining automatic transmission front bellhousing-to-engine bolt to 48 Nm (35 lb-ft) but torque the manual transmission remaining two bolts. Proceed to tighten the rear engine-to-bellhousing stud bolt along with the two bellhousing-to-oil pan bolts to 48 Nm (35 lb-ft). Afterward, torque the two oil pan-to-bellhousing bolts to match the same specification. First replace the oil level indicator together with the tube and then apply torque of 48 Nm (35 lb-ft) to the top bellhousing-to-engine bolt and stud bolt. Fasten the HO2S and catalyst monitor sensor wire connector bracket by tightening its nut to 25 Nm (18 lb-ft) while also tightening the bracket nut. Reinstall the battery tray after you reattach both the transmission connector wire harness and the two positive battery cable pin-type retainers. Clean engine oil should be added to the engine as the final step.