Nissan Pickup Oil Pan Removal
by Dan Ferrell
Depending on your particular Nissan pickup model, you may need to remove one or more components to gain access to and remove the engine oil pan. However, on the 3.3 liter engine model, you must use a hoist to raise the engine after taking off several components. During oil pan removal, using the right tools and working in an organized manner will make your job much easier and safer.
2.4 Liter Engine
After raising the front of your Nissan and draining the engine oil, remove the engine undercover and the front suspension member to gain access to and clear the space around the oil pan.
Remove the oil pan mounting bolts following this sequence: loosen the bolts gradually, starting with the two bolts at the front of the pan, then the two at the rear. Loosen the next two bolts at the front--one on each side--and the next two bolts at the rear, one on each side. Follow this pattern until you have removed all the bolts.
Carefully insert a seal cutter tool between the cylinder block and the oil pan flange, using a hammer (see Resource for more information). Start at one side and toward the front of the pan to avoid hitting the oil pump or the rear seal, where there is more chance of damaging the pan mating surface. Remove the pan from the vehicle.
3.3 Liter Engine
Disconnect the ground battery cable, drain the engine oil and remove the engine undercover. To gain access to the oil pan, remove the stabilizer bracket bolts, front propeller shaft from the front differential carrier and breather hose, front drive shaft bolts and front suspension cross member.
Support the differential with a jack stand; then remove the differential front and rear mounting bolts and the front differential carrier. Take the starter motor off and label the cables, if necessary, for easier reassembly.
Remove the transmission to rear engine mounting bracket nuts. Then support the engine with a jack stand, and remove the engine mounting bolts and nuts. To gain complete access to the oil pan mounting bolts, slightly lift the engine. To do this, remove the power steering mount bracket, and move the steering pump to the side if necessary. Then hook a hoist to the engine and lift the engine just enough so that you can reach the pan mounting bolts with a ratchet, ratchet extension and socket. If necessary, detach the relay rod as well.
Follow the next sequence to gradually loosen and remove the oil pan mounting bolts: start with the two bolts at the rear, then the two bolts at the front. Then pull out the next two bolts at the rear--one on each side--and the next two bolts at the front, one on each side, until you have removed all the bolts.
Finally, to detach the oil pan from the engine, insert a seal cutter tool between the engine block and the pan, using a hammer (see Resources). Start on one side and toward the front of the pan to avoid damage to the oil pump or the rear seal mating surface. Remove the pan from the vehicle.
References
- "Nissan Pick-ups: Frontier Pick-ups (1998 thru 2004), Xterra (2000 thru 2004), Pathfinder (1996 thru 2004) Haynes Repair Manual"; Jeff Kibler, Ken Freund; 2007
Writer Bio
Since 2003 Dan Ferrell has contributed general and consumer-oriented news to television and the Web. His work has appeared in Texas, New Mexico and Miami and on various websites. Ferrell is a certified automation and control technician from the Advanced Technology Center in El Paso, Texas.
