Questions and Answers

Nissan Sentra Bolt Problem Q. Hey... Hope this finds you having a great day. I have a question for you today. A friend of mine has been working on his 1989 Nissan Sentra, the transmission wasn't engaging, (automatic) so, he had it towed to his house, pulled off the pan and changed out the filter and fluid.

He said there were several different size bolts (9) that hold the filter in place. When he tried to reassemble, all the bolts went back in except for one. He says now that this one just turns without even attempting to catch a thread. He also said that while the filter was off, his wife shifted the transmission. His question was whether or not this would cause him to not be able to get all the bolts back in? Not having seen it personally, this is about as detailed as I can get. I wish he had called me before he dropped the pan. Anyway, I certainly would appreciate any insight you might be able to provide for him.

Thanks in advance,
Mike

A. Can you say the word Oppss? Or "Scotty I need warp speed in three minutes or we're all dead!!!"

Well anyway, I'm glad I'm not the only one who made this mistake. The reason that bolt won't go in is because there is a nut on the other end. That particular nut and bolt are not required to be removed to take the filter out. It helps hold the two halves of the valve body together.

If you have teeny tiny little fingers, you may be able to get the nut started. You can also remove the valve body and locate the nut and bolt it back up. Or you can do what my mentor told me when I did the same thing, throw the bolt in your junk drawer and forget about it. Shifting the transmission while the filter was out did not cause this and won't hurt anything.

Why did his wife shift the transmission while it was apart? Most illogical Captain.