How to Replace the Oil Pan Gasket in a Nissan Maxima

If you suspect that your Nissan Maxima is leaking oil, this may be the result of a worn oil gasket. Changing the oil pan gasket in a Nissan Maxima is not an easy job, but if you have some mechanical know-how, you may want to tackle the job yourself. Here's how to change the gasket in the 2000 to 2003 Nissan Maxima with a 2.2-L motor. The process may vary slightly in Maxima models with larger motors.

Difficulty: ChallengingInstructionsThings You'll Need:

Jack and jack stand
Wheel blocks
Engine hoist
Wrench
Liquid gasket
SAE 5W-30 motor oil

Step 1
Raise the vehicle with a jack and be sure it's safely supported on a jack stand. Block the rear wheels to keep them from rolling. Disconnect the negative battery cable.
Step 2
Remove the undercover of the engine and the oil drain plug and drain the oil into a pan. Remove the bolts that secure the steel pan to the aluminum pan.
Step 3
Check a manual to determine the correct tightening sequence. Use a seal cutter and a hammer to remove the steel oil pan, sliding it around the perimeter of the pan with great care not to damage the aluminum oil pan. Remove the oil strainer and the baffle plate.
Step 4
Put a jack under the transaxle and use a hoist to support the engine. Remove the center suspension member and the air conditioner compressor and set them aside. Take off the rear cover plate. Don't remove the air conditioner compressor lines.
Step 5
Remove the aluminum oil pan. Scrape away the old gasket and apply a thin bead of liquid gasket around the joining surface of the oil pan. Install the pan immediately. If the liquid gasket sets more than 5 minutes, you'll have to scrape it off and start again.
Step 6
Reinstall the aluminum oil pan and tighten the bolts. Reinstall the baffle plate and the steel oil pan, tightening the bolts securely. At this point, wait 30 minutes before proceeding, in order to allow the liquid gasket to completely set up.
Step 7
Install the rear cover plate, the front suspension member, and air conditioner compressor, the center suspension member and the engine undercover. Lower the vehicle carefully and fill the engine with fresh oil. Nissan recommends using SAE 5W-30 in your Altima. Check the oil with a dipstick to be sure you've added the correct amount.