Here’s how to remove an engine and transmission from a car for service.

Removing the transmission and/or engine assembly is usually required for a complete rebuild or to service major body components such as the frame or wiring harness. The vehicle demonstrated here is a RWD Infiniti G35 sedan, which is similar to many RWD vehicles.

For FWD engine and transmission removal, see my other video here:

The first stage of removing the engine is preparation which includes removing all small accessories or subsystems around the engine bay. The front bumper, rebar, radiator support, radiator and air intake are removed. The wiring harness is disconnected from the ECU with two connectors and fished through the firewall instead of disconnecting every single engine component and clip. The A/C system is drained and disconnected.

The second stage is preparation underneath the vehicle, which includes removing the exhaust at the headers, drive shaft, shifter linkage and transmission mount. If the engine and transmission are being dropped down, then the steering rack and lower control arms are disconnected.

The final stage is removing the engine and transmission assembly. If the engine is dropped down and out, as demonstrated in this video, then the subframe bolts are removed and the assembly is slowly lowered onto a floor jack. If the engine is being lifted out, an engine crane with a leveler must connect to strong engine attachment points at both ends.

Removing the engine on a RWD car is not difficult, as this job should take 4 – 6 hours if all tools are available and there aren’t any rusty oversights.

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42 Comments

  1. Hey Speedkar99 My 2001 4runner (3.4l v6 4WD) recently threw a p0446 code (evap purge canister)
    But i have a significant exhaust leak that's constantly giving me the p0420 code.
    Could the new p0446 be related to the exhaust leak or should I look into changing my EVAP purge solenoid canister? Thanks if you see this!
    I live in southern Ontario so rust is an issue, working on things is a lot harder than it needs to be.

  2. We appreciate you sharing your knowledge, your helping many people out there 👍🏻

  3. Lord that's a lot of work, engine swap means that just half the job. I got exhausted just watching this…

  4. Was the AC system discharged beforehand, or did it have a leak?
    (AC Freon is the biggest thing I try to avoid leaking. R-134A isn't as bad for the atmosphere as the old R-12, but it's still pretty bad.)

  5. YOUR A PROFESSIONAL BRO!! DO YOU OWN YOUR OWN SHOP? ALSO JUST WANTED TO LET YOU KNOW THAT YOU SOUND LIKE THAT DUDE FROM RATCHET AND WRENCHES!!

  6. a infiniti old crap, never seen such dirty engin bay before, I guess the car ower is a dusty, rusty ,oily and lazy thing …

  7. I need your help @speedkar99 my toyota keeps "pouring" coolant through the overflow hose on the coolant reservoir. It does so after running for a while under normal driving conditions. There's no visible dripping or leakage from any of the hoses or around the thermostat. It pours it even though its not over filled and if its not topped up it will drain the radiator. Please help

  8. Outside in the cold, snow on the ground and he pulled engine and transmission out by himself, 👏

  9. Now I have to find out where everything goes, I am sure I am going to have extra nuts and bolts for the next job.

  10. You gave me more confidence to work on my car in the cold, I like the toothbrush as a pointer, kept wondering when you going to use it!😄

  11. So one of my friends said "you have to pay attention if you change your bonnet because of the airbag." but this cannot be because that airbag sensor goes into the bumper…. so… what now?

  12. What the hell… I always thought the front bumper bar is welded onto the frame. Didn't think it could just be removed that way.

  13. That's cold work – removing an engine outside in the winter. Add to that, rusty bolts et al. At least it was sunny.

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