Hey all! I’m trying to replace my Leaking oil pan on my 09 Maxima and saw that the Y exhaust pipe is in the way of 2 of the bolts for the pan. My bolts on my Y pipe are severely rusted and worried if I try to remove them I will never get them back on or will just round them trying to undo them. Are there any tips on removing the Y pipe or what bolts I can remove just to gain enough access to the oil pan bolts? Thanks!

 

Could you drop the Cat from the manifold? Those bolts/nuts may be more forgiving and give you the wiggle room to get at your oil pan.

 

Thanks for the reply!
I was out last night looking at it, took some brackets off and snapped those bolts.
tried to take the Y off of the Cat but the one bolt I could get a socket on snapped. And finally I tried the bolts connecting the cat to the manifold and one of those snapped.
By the look of the picture the bolts attaching the Cats aren’t studs which makes me feel a little better. Though I would need a new manifold! Phew

I’ve been looking around for forums for my car and can’t find really much on replacing the cats. Is it an absolute nightmare? (One has a leak so need to replace it anyway)
was considering just getting an angle grinder and hacking up the Y pipe to get to my oil pan and make removing the cats easier LOL

 

Damn, that sucks. Sounds like a torch is in order. A shop might be your best bet to get everything loosened and apart (replace bolts/studs and nuts). Then you can sort out your oil pan and cat on your own time and save yourself some $$$.

 

I’m trying to avoid taking it into the shop at all costs. It’s 100$ tow there and would be 100$ tow back plus what the shop charges. If I break every nut and bolt I don’t care as long as it’s not a stud where I’d have to replace the manifold!

It’s a project I’ve been working on throughout Covid. So there’s no rush to get it back on the road. I’m looking at getting 2 new cats and the Y Pipe anyway.

As for heating bolts and such up i know they use acetylene torches but I don’t have access to one of those. I have one that attaches to a small propane tank but I’m assuming that won’t to diddly squat haha

If I decide to chop my Y pipe up is there any reason I shouldn’t? Will dampness or moisture get into the engine?
My oil pan is leaking badly, I’ve drained it and have the replacement but would like to even stop the intermittent drips on my driveway.

 

Yeah, I hear ya. Cost can add up pretty quickly. They don't call our cars gold-diggers for nothing!

I would buy a case of penetrate, lay out a ground sheet under the car, and soak the **** out of all those nuts/studs/bolts you have to deal with for the next week. Clean up any stud threads so you are not fighting to get the nut off after you break torque.

If you can control the flame with a shield, so you are not losing heat, then your torch might just be enough. Definitely worth a try.

Yeah, you can slaughter the Y pipe. That will not do any harm to the engine.

 

Yeah they are expensive! Just did my spark plugs and intake manifold gasket, put a new A/C compressor in, all new radiator hoses. And thought my oil pan would be easy.. but noooo lol

I’ll buy some more penetrant it’s soaking as we speak!

I think I have some sheet metal that I can bend around some places. Just scary since I only have it on ramps and the hot bolt will be less then a foot from my face haha but will give it a shot!

Well I guess it’s time to get medieval with my Y Pipe!

Thanks for your help

 

Good luck and be safe!

 

PB Blaster, heat and patience are friends. PB Blaster, lots of it and don't hesitate to have repeated applications. Re Heat. Your propane bottle is sufficient...you aren't cutting with it, just applying heat or you can get a mapp bottle (it is a bit hotter) but the key here is to heat it up, PB Blaster it (some say wd40) as it cools to wick up into the threads. Patience is required as you may have to do this a few times. Keep a fire extinguisher handy and you will get them off. Re water getting in your engine from the pipes, not unless you are in a flood zone.