Got under there to check on things on my new creeper and look what I found. This is directly behind crank pulley. Is it coming out?

 

Just loosen the front bolts and you should be able to push it back in. Also check your PCV valve, when it's plugged up pressure will push the gasket out. Like what you showed us in your pics.

 

awesome. thank you. I never knew a clogged PCV could do this though. I mean Ive been under this thing 1000 times and never had I seen it like this.

 

I just purchased a 1999, 3.0L V-6, 4x4, Manual Transmission. The Oil Pan Gasket is leaking badly and my mechanic says it needs too be changed. The Haynes Manual indicates I have to pull the engine in order to do this, but others say I can just jack up the engine 3 to 4 inches to change the gasket. Do you have any suggestions or DIY Instructions for this job? Thanks.

 

I performed this replacement this past weekend. Disconnect the battery, drail the oil, and remove the starter to gain access to all the oil pan bolts. 1) Take the oil pan off the engin and let it rest on the front axles. 2) Remove the old gasket. 3) Take the new gasket and spread it around the outside of the oil pan. 4) Work the gasket between the back of the oil pan and the transmission housing. This is the most difficult area to get the gasket around since there is a thin metal plate between the oil pan and the transmission, but it can be done with some patience. 5) Fit the gasket around the rest of the oil pan flange. I used a couple of nuts and oil pan bolts to hold the gasket in place while I got the gasket in position on the oil pan flange. 6) Bolt the oil pan back onto the bottom of the engine. Reinstall the oil pan plug, oil, starter, and reconnect the battery. You may want to change the oil filter while you are at it. Once I figured this out, it took me about 1.5 hours to accomplish this task.