Hi! new to the forums and after some searching couldn't quite find what I was looking for.

My neighbor has a 2.4L (inline four) 2004 Accord, and wants to do an oil pan replacement (drain plug is stripped) and has asked for my help.

Now, it appears that all one has to remove is a stiffener plate that covers the flywheel to access all the pan bolts and the pan should drop down.

What concerns me is a section of frame on the passenger side that is slightly in the way. I don't want to drop the pan and ruin the gaskets only to have it trapped between the frame and the crankshaft.

So my basic questions are: Has anyone done this? Can the pan just be dropped down, or does the motor/transmission have to be raised?

P.S. AllData and every search i do for this specific job says to undo the lower transmission mounts, remove suspension and driveline components, and support the tranny with a transmission jack. I'm assuming this is so the pan will clear the frame... I just want to know if all that is necessary.

Any and all help is appreciated, THANKS!

 

Follow the directions and it will come out. You use the trans jack to raise the trans about 2 inches (1.6 to 2.2).

 

Thanks. Just wanted to make sure raising the tranny was a necessary step.

Guess he'll be taking it to the dealer or shop, it'll be to big of a hassle without a proper lift.

 

There are a ton of things that can be done/used to take care of a stripped drain plug without replacing the pan.

 

Any suggestions? Like I mentioned earlier, this is my neighbors car, and the dealership is the one that won't do the oil change due to the stripped plug. They insist on a replacement pan.

Can he just go with a larger plug and retap the treads on the pan?