I currently have my tranny out and am waiting for my new billet flex plate. I noticed there is a bunch of drops of oil on the rear oil pan bolts. Everything above it seems dry. Pretty sure pan gasket is leaking. Did lots of searching but couldn't find an exact answer. Can I remove the oil pan without lifting the engine? I see you need to with the tranny in but with it out is there enough clearance to get at the pickup tube bolts without jacking the engine? My truck is already way up in the air to get the tranny back under it. It's so high that lifting the engine would be very difficult right now.

 

I found on mine the oil pan bolts were loose and after tightening them up (100,000miles later) it has not leaked.

worth checking, before doing the gasket. as for you question sorry I cant help, cause I dont know

 

As nickg says, tighten bolts has saved many a gasket replacement. Did on mine which now has 237,000 miles.
I beleive the pan will come out with tranny out. If not, just drop pan and clean gasket surfaces. Put drop cloth so don't put gasket bits in pan. Work gasket into position and wham bam, you're done.

 

You need to lift engine up to remove oil pickup tube which must come out with pan. Not an easy job if not on a lift. Is the rear main seal dry?

 

as said before you have to lift the engine, but I dont believe that much is needed to get the pan out. but on all of my last 3 ctd's the pan bolts seem to loosen up so I do check them once a year. on my current truck I have cleaned the area took out the troublesome bolts and put locktite on them and put them back. and no more leaking. the pan deal is a pain in the butt. do the simple fix first and then check it. and on all of my vehicles it seemed to always be the bolts that were on the tranny end that came loose.

 

Starting in the center and working outward, tighten the oil pan bolts to 24 N·m (18 ft. lbs.) torque.

 

Thanks for the tips. They were just loose. Now I have to wait for my flex plate. Can't wait to drive this truck with my new tranny stuff!