For anyone that has actually replaced their oil pan gasket, can the oil pan gasket on a 1st maxima can be replaced without lifting the engine please?

Thank you.

 

I have done oil pans without lifting the engine, but it is not easy and you have a higher chance of damaging the oil pickup screen. The difference should be that you skip the part about lifting the engine. But, you should just rent or barrow a hoist and make it easy for yourself!

I have done this on Z-cars, but not the 910 Maxima. Probably the best way to do it is to do it with an engine hoist.

First, jack up the car and put it on jack stands!

Take off the bolts that hold the engine mounting brackets to the mounts. This will let the engine lift up a few inches.

Next, hook the chain from the hoist around the number 6 exhaust manifold runner and the hook bracket on the other side of the engine near the front. Have someone start to hoist the engine as you look to see when to stop. You will not want to go more than a few inches as you have the A/C lines, fuel lines, and wiring still attached to the engine. Just make sure you don't bend of stretch anything.

Once you do this you should be able to have enough room to remove the oil pan bolt and drop and slide the pan out. Be sure to not contact/damage the oil pickup tube's screen! If you do, you will need to find a way to get it back out. Also, since you have the pan off; you should look to see if the pickup screen need to be cleaned. Also, clean and repaint the pan too! A machine shop can clean all this stuff for you, or you can do it in a tub of hot water and degreaser.

If you take the oil tube off to clean it, be sure to use a new gasket. I have had good luck using spray Copper Coat sealer on gaskets.