Removing the engine sump on a Nissan Murano: complete instructions with photos and tips

Removing the engine sump Nissan Murano - a task that every owner of this crossover faces sooner or later. Whether you plan to change the oil with flushing the system, repair the oil pump or eliminate a leak through the gasket, you cannot do without dismantling the pan. The procedure requires accuracy and knowledge of key nuances, especially when it comes to models Z50 (2003-2007), Z51 (2008-2014) or Z52 (2015-2021) with engines VQ35DE or VQ25DE.

In this article you will find step-by-step instructions with photos, a list of required tools, a table of bolt tightening torques and answers to frequently asked questions. We will also reveal unique "pitfalls" of the Murano procedure, which are not written about in standard manuals - for example, how to avoid damage to the oil level sensor or why on some versions you have to remove the front suspension. If you have never done this kind of work, we recommend that you carefully study the section with common mistakes - this will save you time and nerves.

Preparing for work: tools and conditions

Before you begin dismantling, make sure you have everything you need. For Nissan Murano a specific set of tools will be required, since access to the pallet is limited by suspension and protection elements.

Main list:

• 🔧 Set of sockets and ratchet wrenches (required) 10 mm, 12 mm, 14 mm)
• 🔧 Ratchet extension (minimum 15 cm)
• 🔧 Torque wrench (for tightening to the correct torque)
• 🔧 Sealant for gaskets (Loctite 574 or Permatex Ultra Black)
• 🔧 Plastic scraper for cleaning surfaces
• 🔧 Jack and stands (or lift)
• 🔧 Oil drain container (minimum 5 liters)
• 🔧 New pan gasket (original 15055-4M500 or equivalent Fel-Pro)

Pay special attention to the choice of sealant. For Murano Acid-based silicone compounds are absolutely not suitable for aluminum pans - they corrode the metal. Also check the condition of the pan bolts: if they are rusty or deformed, replace them with new ones (11026-4M500).

⚠️ Attention: On models Murano Z52 (2015+) with system Direct Adaptive Steering Before removing the pan, you must disconnect the battery to avoid errors in the electric booster. Use memory to save radio and climate control settings.

It is better to do the work on cold engine - this way the oil is less fluid, and the risk of getting burned is minimal. If the car has just been turned off, wait 2-3 hours. Also prepare your workspace in advance: a pallet Murano It has inconvenient “ears” for fastening, and without sufficient space it will be difficult to maneuver.

Draining the oil and removing the protection

The first stage is draining the oil. Despite its apparent simplicity, there are some subtleties here. On Murano The drain plug is not located at the lowest point of the pan, so after draining there remains up to 300-400 ml oils To remove it completely, you will have to use a vacuum pump or tilt the car.

Step by step steps:

1. Raise the car with a jack or put it on a lift. Make sure it is level - tilting it more than 5° may result in incomplete drainage.
2. Remove the crankcase protection. On Murano it is secured with 6-8 bolts 10 mm (depending on the year of manufacture).
3. Place a container under the drain plug and unscrew it with a key 14 mm. Be careful - the plug often "sticks" and excessive force can strip the thread.
4. Let the oil drain for at least 15 minutes. Then unscrew the oil filter (it is located to the right of the pan) and drain the remaining oil from it.

If the oil does not drain or flows in a thin stream, check the condition of the drain plug - perhaps its magnet is clogged with metal shavings. In this case, clean it or replace the plug (11026-4M500). On models with VQ35DE after 2010, the drain plug has an O-ring, which also needs to be replaced.

⚠️ Attention: On Murano Z51 (2008-2014) with all-wheel drive, before draining the oil, you must unscrew the front driveshaft fastening to the transfer case. Otherwise, the pallet will not budge due to the interfering beam.

Disconnect battery (for Z52)

Warm up the engine to 40-50°C (no higher!)

Prepare a container with a volume of ≥5 l

Check for a new pan gasket

Remove crankcase protection -->

Removing the pallet: step-by-step instructions with photos

Now we move on to the most important stage - removing the pallet. On Nissan Murano it is attached to 18-20 bolts (depending on the model), some of which are hidden under the suspension elements. It is important to unscrew them in the correct sequence so as not to deform the flange.

Procedure:

1. Unscrew everything visible bolts around the perimeter of the pallet, leaving 2-3 bolts on each side for support. Use the head on 10 mm with extension cord.
2. On models Z50/Z51 remove the front engine mount bracket (4 bolts 14 mm). This will give access to the hidden pan bolts.
3. Using a plastic scraper, carefully pry the pan out, starting from the front. If it does not budge, check that all the bolts are unscrewed (especially in the oil pump area).
4. When the tray moves 1-2 cm, hold it with your hand - there may be up to 500 ml oils
5. Remove the pan completely and clean it of old sealant and deposits. To do this use white spirit or a special cleaner (Liqui Moly Pro-Line).

The photos below show the key points:

Photos of the process (examples)

1. Location of hidden pan bolts (marked with red arrows)

2. Correct position of the plastic scraper for removing the pallet

3. Condition of the gasket after dismantling (normal vs. requiring replacement)

Pay special attention oil level sensor - on Murano it is built into the pallet and often breaks during careless dismantling. If the sensor is damaged, it will have to be replaced (26400-4M500). Also check the condition of the oil pump: on runs for 150,000 km its gears may be critically worn.

element	Tightening torque (Nm)	Notes
Pan bolts	10-12	Tighten crosswise in 2 stages
Drain plug	35-40	Replace O-ring
Engine mount bracket	45-50	Use a torque wrench
Oil level sensor	8-10	Do not overtighten - risk of damage

Common mistakes and how to avoid them

Even experienced craftsmen sometimes make mistakes when removing the pallet on Nissan Murano. Here are the most common ones and ways to prevent them:

• 🔧 Re-tightening of pallet bolts — leads to flange deformation and oil leakage. Always use a torque wrench and maintain torque 10-12 Nm.
• 🔧 Using the wrong sealant — acid-based silicone compounds corrode aluminum. Only anaerobic sealants type Loctite 574.
• 🔧 Damage to the oil level sensor — its body is plastic and fragile. When removing the pan, hold the sensor with your hand.
• 🔧 Incomplete oil drain — if you don’t tilt the car or use a vacuum pump, there will be up to 500 ml oil that will spill out during dismantling.
• 🔧 Ignoring oil pump status - on runs for 200,000 km its gears are often worn out, resulting in a drop in oil pressure.

Another common problem is broken pan fastening studs. This happens if the bolts are soured or they are trying to unscrew them without penetrating lubricant. In this case, you will have to drill out the studs and cut a new thread, which requires a special tool (thread repair kit M10x1.25).

On models Murano Z52 (2015+) people often forget to disconnect the oil level sensor connector before removing the pan. This may result in broken wires or a short circuit. The connector is located to the right of the tray and is secured with a plastic latch.

1. Correct bolt tightening torque

2. Condition of the gasket (possibly defective or incorrect installation)

3. Integrity of the cylinder block flange (may be deformed when retightening) -->

Installing the pan and replacing the gasket

Installing a pallet is no less important a process than removing it. It is critical to follow the bolt tightening sequence and use the correct sealant. On Nissan Murano It is recommended to apply sealant only for gasket, and not on the sump or cylinder block itself.

Step by step instructions:

1. Clean the surfaces of the cylinder block and pan from old sealant. Use a plastic scraper and white spirit. Wire brushes are prohibited as they scratch the aluminum.
2. Apply a thin layer of sealant (Loctite 574) onto the gasket on both sides. Do not exceed layer thickness more than 1 mm.
3. Place the gasket on the pan and align it with the holes. Make sure it is not twisted or misaligned.
4. Carefully lift the pan and align it with the cylinder block. Start at the front where the oil pump is located.
5. Screw in all bolts by hand, then tighten them to two stages: first with the moment 5 Nm, then - 10-12 Nm (crosswise).
6. Reinstall the engine mount bracket and tighten its bolts to 45-50 Nm.

After installing the pan, do not add oil immediately. First check if you forgot to connect the oil level sensor (on Murano Z52 its connector often remains disconnected). Then fill 1-2 liters oil and check for leaks. Only then add oil to the required level.

On models with VQ35DE after replacing the pan it may light up Check Engine due to air entering the VVT system. In this case, you need to reset the error using the scanner or disconnect the battery for 10 minutes.

Post-installation check and possible problems

After assembly, several checks must be performed to ensure the system is sealed. Start the engine and let it idle 3-5 minutes. Then check:

• 🔧 No leaks around the perimeter of the pan and the drain plug.
• 🔧 Oil pressure (the light on the dashboard should go out Oil Pressure within 2-3 seconds after launch).
• 🔧 Oil level (fill up to the mark MAX on the dipstick, but not higher).
• 🔧 Oil level sensor operation (on Murano Z52 it should correctly display the level in the on-board computer menu).

If after replacing the pallet there are extraneous noise (such as a knocking or humming sound), this may indicate:

• Insufficient oil in the system (check the level).
• Air getting into the oil pump (you need to let the engine idle for 5-10 minutes).
• Worn oil pump gears (replacement required).

On Murano Z50 (2003-2007) after replacing the pallet, sometimes there is a problem with floating speed. This is due to oil getting into the crankshaft position sensor. In this case, it is necessary to clean the sensor and reset the throttle adaptations.

Tips for choosing spare parts and consumables

The durability of the repair directly depends on the quality of spare parts. For Nissan Murano It is recommended to use only original or certified analogues:

Detail	Original art.	Recommended analogue	Notes
Pan gasket	15055-4M500	Fel-Pro TCS45746	Thickness 1.5mm, heat resistant
Sealant	KE-99999-001 (Nissan)	Loctite 574, Permatex Ultra Black	Anaerobic, acid free
Drain plug	11026-4M500	Denso 110260-4M500	Complete with O-ring
Oil level sensor	26400-4M500	Standard Motor Products PS186	Only for models with VQ35DE

When choosing oil for Murano refer to the manufacturer's specifications:

• For VQ35DE (2003-2014): 5W-30 or 5W-40 with permission API SN.
• For VQ35DE (2015+): 0W-20 with permission ILSAC GF-5.
• For VQ25DE: 5W-30 with permission API SM.

Avoid generic type oils 10W-40 - they do not provide sufficient protection during cold starts, which is critical for Murano with aluminum block. Also, don’t skimp on the oil filter: the original filter (15208-4M500) has a check valve that prevents oil starvation during startup.

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

Is it possible to remove the pan on a Nissan Murano without removing the suspension?

On models Z50 And Z51 (until 2014) the pan can be removed without dismantling the suspension, but you will have to unscrew the front engine mount bracket and slightly lift the power unit. On Z52 (2015+) in most cases it is necessary to remove the front suspension cross member or use a special flexible wrench to access hidden bolts.

What sealant is best to use for the Murano pan?

Optimal choice - anaerobic sealants without acids, for example:

• Loctite 574 (best option, can withstand temperatures up to 150°C)
• Permatex Ultra Black (more budget, but reliable)
• ThreeBond 1217 (used on Nissan assembly lines)

Categorically not suitable: regular silicone, sealants based on acetic acid, “instant” adhesives.

How much oil remains in the pan after draining?

In a pallet Nissan Murano remains after standard draining 300-500 ml oils To remove it completely:

1. Use a vacuum pump through the dipstick hole.
2. Tilt the car forward 10-15° (for example, driving the front wheels onto the curb).
3. Wait 1-2 hours after draining - the remaining oil will drain by gravity.

If the residue is not removed, it will spill out when the tray is removed and contaminate the work area.

What should I do if the oil pressure light comes on after replacing the pan?

There may be several reasons:

1. Low oil level - add to the mark MAX.
2. Air entering the system — let the engine idle for 5 minutes.
3. Faulty oil pump — check its performance (minimum pressure at idle: 0.5 bar).
4. Clogged oil filter - replace with a new one (15208-4M500).
5. Faulty oil pressure sensor - check its resistance with a multimeter.

If the light only blinks when warming up, the problem may be worn main bearings (engine diagnostics required).

Can an old pan gasket be reused?

Absolutely not. Pan gasket Nissan Murano It is made of a special heat-resistant material, which, after dismantling, loses its elasticity and does not provide a tight seal. Repeated use will result in oil leakage within the first 1000 km. An exception is if the pan was removed for just 5-10 minutes (for example, for inspection), and the gasket was not deformed.