How to Drop the Oil Pan in a Nissan Sentra

How to Drop the Oil Pan in a Nissan Sentra. The Nissan Sentra is a small, compact car sold since 1982. Of the generations produced, the B15 generation, produced from 2000 through 2006 is the most commonly available. This vehicle was available in a 1.6L and 1.8L engine, as well as the larger 2.5L engine. To remove the oil pan from the Sentra, the process is the same for both the 1.6L and 1.8L engines.

Place a jack and jack stand under the Sentra and raise it safely. Be sure to follow the directions provided by the jack manufacturer for safe installation and use.

Drain the engine oil by placing an oil drip pan under the vehicle's oil pan, located under the car, between the tires. Use a wrench to unscrew the plug at the very back of the oil pan, facing the back of the car, to allow the oil to drain. After the flow stops, replace the oil plug.

Under the hood, remove the negative battery cable from the battery, which is located at the very front of the vehicle on the left side using a wrench to remove the bolt holding it in place. Under the vehicle, use a wrench to disconnect each of the bolts holding the engine undercover in place.

Move back under the vehicle and locate the front exhaust tube located near the oil pan and remove using a wrench to loosen each of the bolts. Then, use a jack stand to properly support the transaxle assembly while you remove the bolts holding the center crossmember in place.

Notice the support brackets on either side of the oil pan and use a wrench to remove the bolts holding them in place. If the vehicle is equipped with an automatic transaxle, use a wrench to remove the bolts from the rear cover plate.

Unscrew each of the bolts around the edge of the oil pan, using a wrench and working around the oil pan by crisscrossing the oil pan. Insert a seal cutter between the oil pan and engine to pry the oil pan off, being very careful to keep the seal cutter away from the aluminum surfaces of the oil pan.