I searched online but couldn't find a direct answer; Are the oil pans from the 02 TL's aluminum or steel? I cracked my oil pan and i'm pulling it out to either replace/weld. I spoke with someone from a muffler shop and he told me that they cannot weld aluminum pans. Please let me know, thanks!

EDIT: I took off the J-pipe and all the bolts holding the pan but I can't get it off. I was thinking about sticking a flathead to pry it off.

 

It is aluminum. I believe you will have to pry it off slowly as the sealant holds it tight. even the water pump has no sealant and it was hard to seperate it.

 

You may be ok with JB weld or personally, I would replace it (see if you can get a used one at a junk yard). New one is about $100. Getting the pan welded will probably cost you more than a new one (quality job, certified, etc. that is)

But yeah, the sealant is pretty strong. Just pry slowly. Won't hurt to heat it up a bit.

 

aluminum can be welded, i.e. intercooler pipings and such. Just have to find a shop that has a welder that can weld aluminum. If its only $100 for a new pan, i think you might as well go with new oil pan.

 

Is there a specific spot to stick the flathead screwdriver in between to pry it off? I can't seem to locate a spot...a shop quoted me $15-20 to weld it.

 

Get that sucker welded! Just don't ever get your block welded like a customer had done to his civic. No wonder it had a missfire.
http://www.handsontools.com/OTC-Tool...-_p_45260.html
You need this tool. I dislike the price though, you jam the blade part there in between the pan and the block, then tap one end all the way around. I'm using it next time.

 

Thanks for the help. Yeah, that oil pan is a pain the a$$ right now. I can't get it to pry off...

 

Have you tried heating it up?

If you decide to replace it, try sticking a long screwdriver in the drain hole and rotate the pan.