I've got leaking oil all around that area. Stealership wants 3-4 hundred to unbolt it and replace the gasket. Is it something a local shop can handle? Is it a simple do-it-yourself job?

 

They must be replacing the whole pan, not just the gasket. Pan, gasket, oil, filter and labor... it's possible that could add up to north of $300. It doesn't make it right or reasonable, but does explain the math. Instead, buy a pan online and have it shipped to your door. Then have a local mechanic do the install. I think you'll spend about half.

I'm pretty sure this is the right link from Courtesy Nissan, but call to confirm. Courtesy is asking under $80, and my dealership quoted me $150... so, yeah, big mark-up.

http://www.courtesyparts.com/11110a-...3-p-52507.html

As to the DIY... only you can answer that question.

I'm in on this because I believe my oil pan needs replacement in the Spring, too. (Dented, rusty hunk of crap right now.) So it's been on my brain.

 

is there a gasket? i thought it was rtv sealant.

Are they replacing the aluminum pan (upper) or the steel pan (lower). The upper is a PITA as you have to remove exhaust, and a few sensors. Lower is just a bunch of bolts and RTV sealant according to the fsm

 

I can speak from firsthand experience. There is no gasket there. It's all RTV.

I had to replace the lower oil pan on my Maxima last year when it rusted through and started to leak. The job is pretty easy to DIY.

 

Mine DID have a gasket there, i replaced it and added rtv to make double sure. Bring it to my house and i'll charge you 1/2 that price, this is a cake job....

unfortunately, this didnt fix my leak, i had to replace the oil cooler o-ring, now my garage is clean again...

 

The lower (steel) pan is a cinch. Be careful not to strip the pan bolt holes if not using a torque wrench and factory service manual specs as your threading into the aluminum pan. No gasket, just hi-temp, oil resistant RTV.

Your leak may not actually be from the pan though. I thought mine was, but later determined it was originating from the oil cooler base on my 5.5 gen (5th gens have no oil cooler). If you have a 5.5 gen, you should probably check my oil cooler leak thread with pics, including what to look for to determine if your leak is at the cooler.

Good luck.