Getting set to change out the leaky, rusted oil pan (lower) on my '03.

Any experience with aftermarket vs OEM? There's definitely a few bucks to be saved here by going aftermarket and since there are no moving parts I'm inclined to give it a shot.

Any thoughts?

If you went with non OEM did it work well for you?

Thanks.

 

The NON-OEM is perfect and solid..only $23 bucks including shipping in the usa.
I purchased two and was surprised at how sturdy and strong it was. This was the one I purchased.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Lower-Engine-Oil-Pan-NEW-for-Nissan-Altima-Maxima-Murano-Quest-Infiniti-I30-I35-/310882319424?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories &fits=Model%3AMaxima&hash=item486207bc40

1995-2003 Nissan Maxima uses the same oil pan.

 

Glad to hear it and thanks for the feedback!

 

You need to use silicone liquid gasket only (NISSAN brand or the Permatex 24105 Ultra Black Maximum Oil Resistance RTV Silicone Gasket ). Torque range of those 10 mm bolts is between 5-7 foot- lbs. Do not overtighten, so you will strip the bolt.

 

Yup - got that from the FSM. It looks to me like it's been off before. Does not look like a factory install. Whoever did it was pretty messy with the goop. Probably why it's leaking. I'd wager that the tightening sequence wasn't followed either. Here's hoping It comes off without shearing any bolt heads off.

Anyone else out there sick of RE doing other people's ham-fisted work?

 

When dropping the pan on my AT, I bought a new Dorman pan from RockAuto.com. It works flawlessly. It was only ~ $20 or so, and by buying it, I eliminated the need to clean the gasket rim of the old pan before putting it back on. This saved me 30-45 minutes of unpleasant work ...... since the old gasket was "baked on".

 

I used a Spectra Premium Oil Pan that I got with a major discount from Advance Auto since I couldn't wait for it to be shipped from Rockauto. Seemed okay? I later bought a Dorman Transmission Pan which seemed about as well made. If you're worried about anti rust abilities, my stock pan literally rusted apart and was causing a major oil leak. That's not the only thing to rust. I'm basically saying that Genuine Nissan steel, on my car at least, doesn't seem to be of the utmost quality.

I don't think it came with a gasket. I think I bought Fel Pro. Did come with a Oil Drain Plug Though (Including Copper Crush Washer according to Mechanic) Check the box though to be sure.

 

Please share the correct tightening sequence if there's a pic please.

 

For anyone interested,

I went with ebay cheapie oil pan and opted out of using the stupid RTV (it's a PITA and the only reason it's used all the time now it's cheap for the manufacturers and easier for the robots to pump out a bead of goo than hang a gasket).

I used an aftermarket cork gasket. Nice and neat and easy to work with lying on your back on the floor of the garage.
Tightened everything up to factory specs.

Not even a hint of a leak to this day.

The worst part of the job is cleaning off all that RTV crap that was there in the first place.

 

Thanks for the update. I am looking to do this very soon

 

Good to hear The lower oil pan seems pretty easy to replace on these cars. It's a real bear on some other ones.

 

Super easy. While you're there - take a look at your oil cooler, as many do, mine had a leak. Pull it off (it's one nut and 2 hose clamps for the coolant lines), clean up the area, replace 2 o-rings and you are set. I have not seen one drop anywhere since. It's so nice when you're down there doing an oil change or whatever ... and it's clean!

I can't stress enough not to bother with rtv sealant. Messy, awkward and most importantly, unnecessary.

If only you could get a regular old face gasket for the timing cover

 

My oil cooler line is pretty rusty but doesn't have a leak *yet.* I'm keeping a close eye on it. I was on the Murano forums once and guys on there had problems with the same cooler line. Good ol' Nissan.

 

That's where I learned how to change mine. Murano forum and a Murano owner on youtube.

I have a Fel-Pro gasket waiting because I agree, screw that RTV laying on your back. I bought that gasket and the o-ring because I sprung a leak.

It went sway, so I still have both of them left.

 

I thought the lower oil pan uses gaskets and the upper part is just RTV from what I have seen on my car

 

Not that any of us always follow the FSM but:

 

Maybe yours was already changed in a previous life. If you aren't the original owner then it's entirely possible.

 

Let that RTV get pretty tacky and it'll hold the pan on by itself

I might have used a tranny jack on my spec's oil pan.

 

Why use rtv if there are gaskets available?

 

To heck with the bolts even!

 

I just ordered this one
http://www.ebay.com/itm/361212973468?_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

 

Is there any higher capacity oil pans for the 5,5gens?

 

That would be it. Think I paid 30 bucks + shipping or something like that.

 

Great thanks for the confirmation, I'm going to replace the oil cooler O ring while im at it.

 

Yes (or use spacer), but I wouldn't do it. It will be completely exposed and asking to be punctured.

 

Do it. It's easy. You're gonna be there anyway and if you do it right, you won't have to revisit it again. Even though it's easy ... take your time and clean everything until it's spotless. I had a lot of **** caked on there. Once I chipped off the chunky stuff I blasted the whole area with brake cleaner. Fast and effective.

 

I agree, saw those and was like WTF, no way, I'd leave that somewhere hangs waaay too low.

 

Yeah, I don't want to have to find out the leak was coming from the O ring after the oil pane job lol. Two birds..

 

Ok thanks for the info

 

Look @ How bad my leak is...
https://goo.gl/photos/N1HjX2K5rofUQyvN9
All Mods have come to a screeching Halt..

 

10 min O ring job. I squeezed the coolant lines with needle nose vice grips and only took off one. That makes more than enough room to see on the backside to make sure the ring is seated correctly.

 

Jeez. Pretty nasty. Oil cooler for sure, oil pan may or may not be leaking - who could tell with all that oil (it's easy so do it).
I looks like you may have another leak up above somewhere leaking down into that area too. Do those 2 repairs, clean the hell out of everything and check under there daily.

Git 'er done!

That must me making a damn mess on your driveway

 

Btw when you used the gasket for the oil pan, did you need rtv at all?

 

Nope. RTV = PITA. Face gasket = easier and cleaner. Don't overthink it

 

My mechanic kept telling me I would need RTV even if I had the gasket, I'll be doing it tomorrow.

 

I've changed about 20+ oil pans (cheap ebay ones) using permatex ultra black silicone. Never had one leak.

 

Get a new mechanic.