2004 Pathfinder - Replace Transmission Pan and Gasket

[Ron Co]

Going to remove the trans pan, remove and clean the magnet, thoroughly clean the pan, remove and clean the oil screen, then replace it all. Gasket, O-rings & sealant on hand from the dealer. On replacing the pan, the CD-ROM manual I have tells me to use NEW pan bolts because the bolts have sealant pre-applied. Is this necessary? Also my manual has no pan bolt torque value. Does anyone know the correct pan bolt torque?

Will do the usual 'add 4 qts. fresh fluid' as part of this.

Also I will be installing the Filtran inline filter sold by Magnefine, 3/8" nipple size. Magnefine is out of stock for their own 3/8" size filter but tell me the Filtran is excellent. BTW, I measure the metal trans oil line diameter at .385/.395 so the 3/8" nipple should fit perfectly. Any thoughts on this?

Thanks in advance!

[AlanAZ]

Will do the usual 'add 4 qts. fresh fluid' as part of this.

4 qts is for a simple drain & replace. It will be more for removing the pan (the drain bolt is recessed so it can't be sheared off -- this keeps fluid in the pan with the bolt removed.)

[McFalconPunch]

The pan bolts will be around $2.50 each at the dealership (18 in total)

or you can get them online for around $12 for the whole set. linky

[Ron Co]

Picked 'em up at the dealer, but thanks!

[Ron Co]

The summation of this job. 1. The new bolts are necessary. I paid $1.57 each for 18 of them at the dealer. 2. The screen comes out easily and can be cleaned. Did so and reinstalled it using a new O-ring. 3. The oil cooler lines though .385/.395" in diameter as I mentioned above, neck down at the ends to 5/16" in diameter. So another guy's post on this site for a 2003 QX4 was correct in recommending an inline filter with 5/16" diameter nipples. 4. The pan was actually pretty clean, the magnet also, and the screen had a grey film which washed out easily with solvent. Awaiting arrival of the correct size filter.

[Hawairish]

Just curious, I've heard of some issues with the dipstick becoming stuck if it was removed from the tube prior to reinstalling the pan. Was that the case?