Removing The Sr20det Upper Oil Pan: A Step-By-Step Guide

Removing the upper oil pan from an SR20DET engine can be a challenging task, but with the right tools and knowledge, it can be accomplished. The SR20 engine is known for its oiling issues, particularly during hard cornering or drifting, which can lead to oil starvation and potential engine failure. To remove the upper oil pan, it is important to first drain the engine oil and remove the oil filter. This is followed by the removal of various sensors, bolts, and components, such as the CKPS sensors, oil pressure sensor, steel oil pan bolts, oil strainer, Y-Pipe, center beam bolts, drive belt, A/C compressor, and its brackets. It is crucial to have a suitable floor jack to support the transmission during this process. When removing the upper oil pan, patience is key as it may require some prying with a flat-head screwdriver or a specialized tool recommended by the dealer. It is also important to clean the mating surface of the upper oil pan area and apply RTV to ensure a proper seal.

Remove bolts and pry upper oil pan off

To remove the upper oil pan, you will first need to remove the bolts. There are twelve bolts in total: eight 12mm bolts and four 14mm bolts. Five of the 12mm bolts are inside where the oil strainer was, and the four 14mm bolts are transmission bolts.

Once the bolts have been removed, you can start to pry the upper oil pan off. This part can be tricky, so be patient and take your time. There are a few spots with slight indentations where you can place a flat-head screwdriver to pry it off. You can also use a small pry bar or a screwdriver to gently separate the oil pan from the block. Just be careful not to gouge the mating surface on the upper pan to avoid leaks.

If needed, you can also try using a longer transmission bolt to help pry the upper oil pan off. Thread the bolt through one of the holes that doesn't go through into the block. As you thread the bolt down, it will push up against the block and slowly pry the oil pan off.

After prying off the upper oil pan, you can give the back a couple of mallet taps to fully separate it from the engine.

Drain oil and remove lower oil pan

To drain the oil and remove the lower oil pan, follow these steps:

First, you'll need to gather the necessary tools and materials. This includes an oil receptacle, such as a bucket or oil drain pan, a wrench, a new oil filter, and a jack to lift the car. It is important to ensure your safety when working under the car.

Next, locate the drain plug and remove it by loosening it with a wrench and unscrewing it counterclockwise. Hold onto the drain plug as you remove it to prevent it from falling. Allow the oil to drain into the receptacle for about five minutes or until the flow slows.

After draining the oil, locate the oil filter. It is a softball-sized cylindrical component screwed onto the engine. Using an oil filter wrench or your hand, loosen the oil filter by turning it counterclockwise until the oil starts to drip out. Wait for the flow to subside, then finish removing the filter. Check that the old oil filter gasket has been removed, as leaving it behind can cause leaks.

Now, we can focus on the lower oil pan. Remove the undertray and any other parts or brackets that may be blocking access to the oil pan and its bolts. This may include the splash shield, bellhousing cover, exhaust manifold support, and air-conditioning bracketry. Refer to a service manual to identify all the bolt locations, as some may be obscured.

Once all the bolts are removed, carefully tap the oil pan with a mallet to break the seal if necessary. Scrape off any gasket residue and clean all sealing surfaces with a solvent. Inspect the oil pan for any metal shavings, cracks, or other issues. If everything looks good, you can proceed to install the new gasket.

Finally, torque the oil pan bolts to specification in a spiral pattern, starting from the center. Reattach any accessory brackets and refill the crankcase with new oil.

By following these steps, you will successfully drain the oil and remove the lower oil pan, setting yourself up for further maintenance or repairs.

Remove oil pan baffle

To remove the oil pan baffle of an SR20 engine, you must first remove the head dowels, which can be done by compressing them with slip joint pliers and lifting them out. Then, flip the engine and remove the lower oil pan. At this point, you can remove the oil pan baffle and begin undoing the upper oil pan bolts, starting from the outside and working your way in.

It is important to note that simply prying the oil pan off with a chisel is not recommended, as it can damage the engine. Instead, Nissan has included two threaded holes in the back of the oil pan. By screwing two bellhousing-upper oil pan bolts into these holes, you can slowly pry the oil pan off without causing any damage. A couple of gentle mallet taps on the back should then separate the oil pan.

In addition, when removing the upper oil pan, it is important to be aware of all the bolts securing it in place. Aside from the bolts around the edges, there are also two 10mm bolts behind a small dust cover on the transmission side of the oil pan. Removing these bolts is crucial to avoid damaging the rear main seal.

Separate oil pan with a chisel or a two-by-four and a hammer

To separate the oil pan with a chisel or a two-by-four and a hammer, you'll need to follow these steps:

Firstly, it's important to note that you should not jam a chisel into the oil pan and smash it away like you're trying to split the block in half. This is not the correct way to do it and can cause damage. Nissan has thoughtfully included two threaded holes in the back of the oil pan. Take two bellhousing-upper oil pan bolts and screw them into these holes. By doing this, the bolts will push up against the block and slowly pry the oil pan off. After that, a couple of gentle taps on the back with a mallet or hammer should be enough to get the oil pan off.

If you're using a two-by-four and a hammer, begin by removing all the bolts securing the lower oil pan to the upper pan. There are usually eight 10mm bolts. With all the bolts removed, you need to break the RTV seal that holds the lower pan in place. You can do this by gently tapping the pan with a two-by-four and a hammer. Be careful not to use too much force, as you don't want to gouge the mating surface on the upper pan, which may cause leaks later.

If the pan is more stubborn, you may need to use a pry bar or screwdriver to gently pry it off. Alternatively, you can use a flat-head screwdriver to pry the pan off, as there are two places to stick a flat-head screwdriver on the aft portion. This method is less likely to damage the mating surfaces.

Make sure you've removed all the fasteners, as failing to do so can be embarrassing and expensive. You may also need to remove the two bolts for the little black plate and the nuts from the two studs behind it. Additionally, remove the transmission dipstick, as the rear lower mount for that can make positioning the pan back on more difficult.

Once you've separated the oil pan, you can proceed to the next steps of the engine teardown or oil pan installation.

Clean mating surface and apply RTV

When cleaning the mating surface of the upper oil pan, it is important to be careful not to scratch or gouge the surface. A razor blade can be used, but it should be handled with care. A plastic razor or gasket removal tool is a safer option, as it will not damage the aluminium surface.

To clean the mating surface, you can use a razor blade and some brake cleaner to ensure that all of the old RTV sealer is removed. Acetone is recommended for this purpose, but isopropyl alcohol or brake/carb cleaner are also suitable. Even WD-40 can be used, but it must be fully cleaned off the mating surface afterwards.

After cleaning, you can apply some RTV to the new oil pan, ensuring that you navigate around all of the bolt holes. It is important to install the bolts that pass through the RTV snugly and then tighten them fully per the RTV manufacturer's instructions. Do not let the pan move around too much when installing the bolts, as this can cause leaks.

It is recommended to wait about 24 hours before adding oil to ensure that the RTV fully cures. The engine's oil capacity will be increased with the new oil pan, so be sure to check the oil level.

Frequently asked questions