The Celica doesn't have a traditional gasket. It uses FIPG (form in place gasket) and that's the reason why it's stuck. You'll just have to be patient with it and pry it off little by little untill the gasket gives. Try a few different places but be careful not to score the mating surface too much. Check the repair manual volume 2 in the Tech Info section for more pointers.

 

wait that's what i thought. but when i went to autozone to by that fipg stuff, they ordered me a gasket they said was specifically for my year and model celica, but when it came in, it was a cork gasket. it looks like it would fit perfectly.. whatsup w that?

 

the repair manual says insert blade of SST between the bearing cap sub-assembly and oil pan.. whats SST?

 

It's a special service tool.
In this case 09032-00100 is an oil pan seal cutter.

Looks like it's a blade with a handle that gets hammered into the FIPG.
dB

 

You can use a simple paint scraper to break the seal and then use screwdrivers to slowly wedge open the pan.

And when/if you get the FIPG, make sure you get the BLACK one...stupid toyota robot tried to sell me the orange stuff

 

wait so should i NOT use this cork gasket i got from autozone? both autozone and the tech at the toyota dealership here said it was the right one for my car... how much are one of those oil pan seal cutter things? i already tried paint scrapers and screwdrivers. is there something i could spray it down with like pb blaster or something that might help break the seal on the gasket?

 

I woudn't use the cork gasket.

 

Even if the cork gasket works, I can assure you it will leak eventually. Its only advantage is that it makes it very easy to drop the pan if you have to inspect anything.

 

Those Autozone monkeys don't know squat!
They friggin' sold me 2zz Denso Iridium plugs. :faint:

 

rubber mallets do wonders for that kind of stuff put a bolt in loosely in 4 corners of the pan and hit it with a rubber mallet on an edge so you won't dent it. if that doesn't work, just take your scraper and tap it into the "gasket" on the side of the pan and either pry down or work your way around the pan.

 

^ what entranced said.
your best option.
shuving screw drivers and knifes isnt a good idea.

 

Anything goes as long as there's no damage :chuckles:

 

i went and got a real heavy duty paint scraper and tapped it in with a mallet and it popped right off. just getting that scraper initially in there all the way is what took a minute..

is it good to use the same scraper to remove the old gasket? i know you guys said to be real careful about scratching the mating surface.

also is there anything else i can check/clean/do while this things off? im prolly not gunna take it off again for a while

 

It's a good idea to take a look at the oil strainer and see if there's any debris or old gasket material stuck in it. May be good also to remove the oil baffle (if you have a 2ZZ, no baffle if it's a 1ZZ) and inspect the endplay of the connecting rods while the pan is off.