RTV Sealant Procedure with Current Oil Distribution Plate

Models

• 1993 Cadillac Allante
• 1993-2002 Cadillac Eldorado
• 1993-2004 Cadillac DeVille, Seville
• 2004 Pontiac Bonneville G/XP

Notes on RTV sealant

• RTV silicone sealant is used due to its ability to withstand GM Powertrain’s most grueling sealing tests.
• You must use GM #12478521, not a substitute RTV.
• This required sealant comes in a caulk gun applicator with a pre-cut 3 mm metered nozzle.
• The cartridge contains 150 grams of sealant.
• Don’t try to save left over sealant; throw the cartridge away and use a fresh one for each job.
• Plan to work quickly once you’ve opened the applicator; you should have the component in place within 10 minutes .

Procedure

1. Drain the engine coolant and engine oil from the engine.
2. Remove the powertrain from the vehicle.
3. Remove the drive belt.
4. Remove the A/C compressor and set it aside.
5. Remove the power steering pump and set it aside.
6. Remove the engine from the transmission.
7. Install the engine on an engine stand.
8. Remove the components necessary to remove the oil pan and lower crankcase, including but not limited to the following:
   • Generator
   • Oil filter adapter
   • Crankshaft balancer
   • Engine front cover
   • Engine front cover gasket Oil pump
   • Lower crankshaft sensor
9. Rotate the engine stand with the oil pan facing up.
10. Remove the oil pan bolts.

    File:Northstar halfcase00.gif

11. Remove the oil pan.

    

12. Remove the gasket from the oil pan.

    

13. Remove the oil suction tube bolt and nut.

    File:Northstar halfcase03.gif

14. Remove the oil suction tube.
15. Remove the main bearing bolts.

    File:Northstar halfcase04.gif

16. Remove the crankshaft oil scraper plate.
17. Remove the oil distribution plate bolts.

    File:Northstar halfcase05.gif

18. Remove the oil distribution plate.

    File:Northstar halfcase06.gif

19. Remove the crankcase perimeter bolts on the right side.

    File:Northstar halfcase07.gif

20. Remove the crankcase perimeter bolts on the left side.

    File:Northstar halfcase08.gif

21. Remove the lower crankcase by prying at the designated pry points.

    

22. Remove the lower crankcase.

    File:Northstar halfcase10.gif

23. Remove the upper-to-lower crankcase seals.
24. Using a suitable scraper, clean the anaerobic sealant from the rail surfaces of the block.
25. Using a suitable cleaning tool, clean out the anaerobic sealant from the engine block seal groove in the rail of the block.
26. Using a suitable cleaning solvent, clean the anaerobic sealant from the rail surfaces of the block.
27. Using a suitable scraper, clean the anaerobic sealant from the rail surfaces of the lower crankcase.
28. Using a suitable cleaning solvent, clean the anaerobic sealant from the rail surfaces of the lower crankcase.
29. Ensure the surfaces to be sealed are free of anaerobic sealant and free of any nicks, gouges or scratches. Repair or replace components as necessary.
30. Inspect all components removed for serviceability. Repair or replace components as necessary.
31. Place a 5 mm (0.197 in) spot of RTV sealant, P/N 12378521 (in Canada, use P/N 88901148) or equivalent, at the two points where the crankshaft rear oil seal meets the split line of the engine block.

    File:Northstar halfcase11.gif

32. Completely fill and slightly overfill the engine block seal groove with a continuous bead of RTV sealant, P/N 12378521 (in Canada, use P/N 88901148) or the equivalent.

    

33. Ensure the RTV sealant, P/N 12378521 (in Canada, use P/N 88901148) or the equivalent, bead is higher than the rail surface by 3 mm (0.118 in).
34. Using a suitable tool, spread the sealant in the area near the oil drain back passages away from the oil drain back passages and towards the outboard edge of the rail surface.

    

    File:Northstar halfcase14.gif

35. To prevent shifting of the lower crankcase, install one of the EN 46109 tools into a bolt hole in each rail.

    File:Northstar halfcase15.gif

36. Install the cleaned lower crankcase onto the engine.

    File:Northstar halfcase16.gif

37. Using a rubber mallet, gently tap the lower crankcase into position.

    File:Northstar halfcase17.gif

38. Remove both EN 46109 tools.
39. Loosely install the crankcase perimeter bolts on the right side.

    File:Northstar halfcase18.gif

40. Loosely install the crankcase perimeter bolts on the left side.

    File:Northstar halfcase19.gif

41. Using a small long blade screwdriver, clean out any sealant in the oil drain back passages.

    File:Northstar halfcase20.gif

42. Using a NEW oil distribution plate, plate a 3 mm (0.118 in) wide bead (1) of RTV sealant, P/N 12378521 (in Canada, use P/N 88901148) or the equivalent, around the perimeter of the outer seal of the oil distribution plate place.

    

43. Ensure the RTV sealant, P/N 12378521 (in Canada, use P/N 88901148) or the equivalent, bead is inboard of all the oil pan bolt holes.
44. To prevent shifting of the oil distribution plate, install one of the EN 46109 tools into a bolt hole in each side of the lower crankcase.

    File:Northstar halfcase22.gif

45. Install the NEW oil distribution plate.

    File:Northstar halfcase23.gif

46. Remove both of the EN 46109 tools.
47. Install the oil distribution plate bolts.

    File:Northstar halfcase24.gif

48. Tighten the oil distribution plate bolts to 10 N·m (89 lb in).
49. Using a small long blade screwdriver, clean out any sealant in the oil drain back passages.

    File:Northstar halfcase25.gif

50. Pay close attention to the rear main seal drain back passage in the pictures below, if it is not cleared it will result in a blown out rear main seal.

    

    

    

51. Install the crankshaft oil scraper plate.

    File:Northstar halfcase26.gif

52. Install the main bearing bolts. Ensure the stud-head bolts used for the oil suction tube support bracket are placed in the proper position.
53. Tighten the main bearing bolts in the proper sequence.

    File:Northstar halfcase27.gif

    • First Pass: Tighten the main bearing bolts (1 through 20) to 20 N·m (15 lb ft) in proper sequence.
    • Final Pass: Tighten the main bearing bolts (1 through 20) an additional 65 degrees in proper sequence using the J 45059.
54. Tighten the crankcase perimeter bolts in the sequence shown.

    File:Northstar halfcase28.gif

55. Tighten the crankcase perimeter bolts to 30 N·m (22 lb ft).
56. Using a small long bladed screwdriver, verify that the oil drain back passages are clear of sealant.

    File:Northstar halfcase29.gif

57. Lubricate the silicone seal in the oil distribution plate. With a twisting motion, install the end of the oil suction tube (2).

    File:Northstar halfcase30.gif

58. Install the oil suction tube retaining bolt (1) and nut (3).
    • Tighten the oil suction tube support bracket nut to 24 N·m (18 lb ft).
    • Tighten the oil suction tube bolt to 10 N·m (89 lb in).
59. Using a suitable cleaning solvent, clean the sealing surfaces and seal groove of the oil pan.
60. Using a suitable cleaning solvent, clean the sealing surfaces of the oil distribution plate.
61. Completely fill and slightly overfill the oil pan seal groove with a continuous bead of RTV sealant, P/N 12378521 (in Canada, use P/N 88901148) or the equivalent.

    File:Northstar halfcase31.gif

62. Ensure the RTV sealant, P/N 12378521 (in Canada, use P/N 88901148) or the equivalent, bead is higher than the oil pan sealing surface by 3 mm (0.118 in).
63. To prevent shifting of the oil pan, install one of the EN 46109 tools into a bolt hole in each side of the lower crankcase.

    File:Northstar halfcase32.gif

64. Position the oil pan onto the lower crankcase.

    File:Northstar halfcase33.gif

65. Remove both EN 46109 tools.
66. Install the oil pan bolts.

    File:Northstar halfcase34.gif

67. Tighten the oil pan bolts in the sequence shown.

    

68. Tighten the oil pan bolts in sequence to 10 N·m (89 lb in).
69. Clean off any sealant that has protruded to the exterior of the engine. Important: For detailed component and engine installation, refer to Engine Replacement Procedure in the Engine Mechanical subsection of the appropriate Service Manual or SI.
70. Install the components removed.
71. Remove the engine from the engine stand.
72. Install the engine to the transmission.
73. Install a NEW oil filter.
74. Install the power steering pump.
75. Install the A/C compressor.
76. Install the drive belt.
77. Install the powertrain into the vehicle.
78. Refill the engine coolant and the engine oil.