So after a minor leak for over a year, this week I took it to get the upper oil pan off and redo the half moon seals and gasket.
At this point, I have the following off:
1. All plastic shields.
2. Cross Member with front and rear mounts.
3. All sensors.
4. I managed to get the lower oil pan off by using a screw driver and lightly hammering it to break the seal.
5. AC Compressor.

Tomorrow morning I tackle the upper oil pan. I know about the bolts around the pan and should have them off pretty quick.

My question is, with the motor and the trans in the car, how so I break the seal between the upper oil pan and the block?

Can I wedge a screwdriver like I did for the lower oil pan? I see from the schematic that there are wedge points on the transmission side, so should I start from that side?

Any help is appreciated!

 

I would suggest taking the time to grind down some scrap piece of plastic. It's really easy to damage the aluminum with a steel screwdriver. I used some thick acrylic (scrap aircraft window) cut and ground into a lever with a tapered tip. It helps to be underneath the oil pan. Pull the upper oil pan with a downward force with one hand(use a glove, that aluminum is sharp) while finding a point of separation with the plastic lever. It takes patience. It is most likely not going to drop out of there with ease. Make sure to reference the FSM to make sure every connector, bolt, line, and fastener is removed before yanking on it.

 

Dam dude tell me how you think this took you a weekend? Mine has a hole in it but alldata says 5.5 hours o and a deadblow hammer would work to that's what I use for all the GM aluminum oil pans I do just give it a smack and it should pop loose also pictures would be amazing also

 

I actually spaced it out over 4 days. I didn't want to take a day off so basically worked on it in the evening.

Day 1: Dropped Motor Mounts and AC Compressor.
Day 2: Drained Oil, removed filter and sensors. Dropped lower oil pan and strainer.
Day 3: Dropped Exhaust, upper oil pan. Cleanup upper oil pan and got it back in.
Day 4: Got everything back in.

All in all, everything has been in for about 24 hours now and I have not seen any leak.

I will be monitoring this week and hopefully, its done for good.

The Bad:
Found a potential leak on passenger axle seal.
Steering inner tie rod boot torn and dripping little oil.
Trans pan gasket weeping.

Overall, at 208K miles, I was impressed that there were no shavings etc in the lower oil pan, the motor seems to be in great shape. Love this VQ30!

 

Here is a link for the pics, its for a 4th gen but was the same for my car!
http://forums.maxima.org/4th-generat...n-removal.html