Tools Needed:
- 14mm (millimeter) socket
- 12mm or ½” socket
- 10mm socket
- Flathead screwdriver
- 11mm wrench
- ¼” socket extension
- ATV gasket maker.
1. Jack your car up enough to get to your oil pan. I used 2 ramps and drove my car up, which will be safer. For those of you who dont have the ramps, a jack and 2 jack stands will do. Be very careful because you have to jack your car up high enough for you to comfortable get down there. Make sure you use the factory jack points and make sure the car is solid before going down.
2. Drain your oil using the 14mm socket. Now is a good time to get some good oil for your SR and a nice oil filter (Nissan or Power Enterprise). Do not use cheap oil filter because the orings will cause problems later on (more on that later)
3. Use the 10mm socket and extension to remove the 10 bolts surrounding the oil pan. Loosen each bolt a little at a time going clockwise or counter clockwise so relief stress from the oil pan before totally loosening all the bolts.
4. A flathead screwdriver will help you separate the oil pan from the block. If you are replacing your oil pan, you can hit your old oil pan with a mallet to loosen the pan.
5. Lower the oil pan, but be careful because there will still be oil in there.
6. With the 10mm socket and extension, remove the 7 bolts holding the shield in place.
7. Now the first 2 bolts you see can be removed using a 12mm or 1/2″ socket.
8. The side bolt is the hardest bolt to remove. Use a 11mm wrench and take your time.
9. Remove the strainer and compare. Strainer replacement is not neccessary, unless the bottom of the oil pan is extra dented; however, it is very important to replace the strainer gasket. Without replacing the strainer gasket, it will be like sucking through a straw with a hole on one side.
10. Replace the gasket and place it on the new strainer. Screw in the 2 bolts with a 12mm or 1/2″ socket. Tighten the side bolt with a 11mm wrench.
11. Place the shield back on and screw the 7 bolts back on with 10mm socket.
12. Make sure you clean the part on the upper oil pan where the lower oil pan will seat. Clean the new lower oil pan and use ATV gasket maker (RTV Silicone) on the new oil pan.
13. Place the pan back on and tighten the bolts in a criss-cross pattern.
14. Now congratulate yourself and let the gasket maker dry.
BEFORE:
AFTER:
Your engine low pressure oil light should now be gone.