How To: Change Your Oil-05+ VQ40DE

[HarshReality001]

Here's a How-To to change the oil on your 2005+ 4.0L V6 engine (VQ40DE).

Start by collecting your tools/materials. You need:

Tools:
-Socket wrench
-10mm + 14mm sockets
-small flat screwdriver or similar
-oil drain pan
-oil filter wrench
-a blanket to lay on (or creeper, etc)
-various paper towels or rags

Parts:
-Nissan oil filter part# 15208-9e000 (or other brand equivalent)
-Nissan crush washer part#11026-01M02
-5-3/8 quarts of your favorite oil

Lay out your tools and blanket. Makes it easy to find things when you need them. Start the engine and let it warm up for a few minutes. This gets the oil moving and easier to drain. Shut off the engine.



Pop the hood and open the oil filler cap to release the pressure on the system. Climb under the truck and locate the oil pan drain plug.



Place your drain pan under the plug and slowly remove the plug using your socket wrench and 14mm socket. The oil will be hot, so be careful not to touch it or drop the plug into the drain pan as you remove it. Let the oil drain into the pan completely.



While the oil is draining, use the small screwdriver to VERY CAREFULLY remove the old copper crush washer from the drain plug. Be EXTREMELY CAREFUL NOT TO WRECK THE THREADS ON THE PLUG! Clean up the plug carefully of excess oil/dirt. Thread the new crush washer on the plug. After the oil has completely drained from the oil pan, re-thread the drain plug slowly back into the oil pan. Use a rag to clean up the srea as you hand-tighten the plug. Make sure not to push any dirt into the pan or threads. Torque the drain plug to 25ft-lbs. Do not over-tighten or you will strip the drain plug threads!



Locate the oil filter access hole at the front of the engine. The filter is behind this small plate. Use a 10mm socket to remove the 2 bolts and access plate.



The filter is immediately above this access hole.



Re-position your oil drain pan under the access hole. Stick your hand and filter wrench in through the passenger side of the engine compartment and remove the filter SLOWLY!



If you remove the filter too quickly, you will make a huge mess on your engine "skid"/ cover. You can also remove this piece if you want (just takes a few more minutes with your 10mm socket).



Remove the filter, and open the new one. Using your finger, place a few drops of oil on the gasket and spread it evenly. This will ensure a tight seal. Clean off the area with a rag and install the new filter. turn it hand-tight until you feel it slowing down. Then turn it another 1/2 turn. DO NOT over-tighten the filter or use a filter wrench to tighten the filter (you can strip the threads)!

Climb out from under the truck. Slowly add 5-3/8 quarts of your favorite oil (mine's Castrol GTX 5w-30 dino oil). You may need to add less depending on how much oil you actually drained from the system. Check the dipstick after the first 5 quarts and add the appropriate amount of oil.



Re-check your drain plug and filter for leaks as you add the oil. Put the oil filler cap back on and make sure you didnt leave any tools in the engine bay or in the way under the engine. Start the truck and watch the oil pressure guage. it should take no more than a few seconds to get into standard operating range. Let the engine warm up and check for leaks under the engine.

Dispose of old oil, rags and filters appropriately. Clean up and you're done!

[dcobb]

Good write-up

[isx_frontier]

nice!!! for people who wants to learn how to change their oil by their own..

[MY06NISMO]

Good how-to. I would say access is much easier with the skid plate off. I change mine through the access hole and the first time was a pain!

[ELBLUECREW]

Originally Posted by MY06NISMO

Good how-to. I would say access is much easier with the skid plate off. I changed mine through the access hole and the first time was a pain!

X2 on that one! The first time, I went through the access cover to loosen the filter, the sharp edges on the cover cut the sh#* out of my hand! I was at the dealer waiting for warranty repair to get done, and one of the techs dropped the two front bolts on the skid plate to remove the filter. He said it was easier than trying to reach up in there and burn or cut your hand.

[HarshReality001]

you'll notice i mentioned going in through the passenger side well if you leave the "skid"/engine cover on (that's the second pic of the filter). the third pic is with the "skid"/engine cover off.

thanks for the compliments. hopefully it keeps someone from pulling off the wrong part when we say to "remove the 2 bolts then the filter is behind that." LOL

[gwells]

thanks!

only 2650 miles to go until my first oil change and now i'm ready.

and yes, be careful about the "wrong bolts." i've heard stories (from a part owner of a jiffy lube) about techs pulling the wrong bolt and messing things up on trans or differentials.

[ELBLUECREW]

Originally Posted by HarshReality001

you'll notice i mentioned going in through the passenger side well if you leave the "skid"/engine cover on (that's the second pic of the filter). the third pic is with the "skid"/engine cover off.

thanks for the compliments. hopefully it keeps someone from pulling off the wrong part when we say to "remove the 2 bolts then the filter is behind that." LOL

Yea my bust. I should have elaborated.

[Relic]

Any idea who makes the filter for Nissan?

[FitzIngarage]

Originally Posted by Relic

Any idea who makes the filter for Nissan?

I believe thay're made by Mahle -- Nissan owns part of the company.