str8max

iTrader: (3)

Well members its been a while since I have posted about this problem..... But I have still have an oil leak problem. This is what I have done so far

1. Cleaned old pan and replace silicone - still leaking

2. Cleaned old pan and replace silicone - still leaking

3. New pan and silicone - still leaking

4. Replaced oil cooler o-ring - still leaking

It leaks when the car is parked and over night I will have a spot the size of a baseball and golf ball.

Any suggestions would great.

Thanks

mandyfig

You sure it is coming from the oil pan instead of other sources, like the rear main seal?

str8max

iTrader: (3)

well its on the side of the oil pan.... i know that doesn't mean much as oil can travel to where ever on the car then drip..... but it pretty consistent.

I have also thought about the oil pressure switch....maybe?

vastmax

iTrader: (18)

rear valve cover?

RR5

iTrader: (6)

Can't imagine why this has not been said before, so I'll say it now:



I would clean everything and try to catch the oil leaking red-handed.

str8max

iTrader: (3)

Ok after a long wait here are some before cleaning and after cleaning pics. Please look and tell me what you think I am still thinking the oil cooler O-ring is bad even after replacing it once. ITS FOR SURE NOT THE UPPER GASKET!!!!!

2slow

iTrader: (6)

Front main seal (although I seem to recall some sort of bronze washer rather than a typical rubber seal). It seems to come from above the oil cooler.

Also, is this coolant hose torn?

spock

iTrader: (5)

Now that it's clean, you have to wait for it to start leaking again. Would hazard an early guess of the front main seal. You should take it for a drive, let it sit for 1/2 an hour and check. Post new pics after the drive.

str8max

iTrader: (3)

Its clean right above the cooler

No the hose is not torn

Grand_hustle17

iTrader: (22)

I forgot the name of them but its have you checked the selonoid beside the rear valve cover??? Both of mines was busted and I thought it was the oil pan but it wasn't... no to condole speeding but try flooring the car and see if it smokes at a certain speed... I don't remember what the name of the part is but its like an oil pressure selonoid...

str8max

iTrader: (3)

No it doesn't smoke at all!

Grand_hustle17

iTrader: (22)

Neither did mines... it only smoked at WOT inn the middle of 3rd... driving regular only had me thinking the oil pan was leaking... anyways check those out

str8max

iTrader: (3)

Ok after coming out this morning and looking and this is what I see! everything is dry but the cooler....



So what do you think now?

Rydicule

I think it's ironic that a 5.5 gen is losing oil through leakage.

SoonerFan

iTrader: (5)

exactly

spock

iTrader: (5)

Yea, that helps him.
There is an O ring behind the oil cooler. I'd start by removing the cooler to see whats going on. Might get away with just replacing the O ring.

2slow

iTrader: (6)

Do this again.

RR5

iTrader: (6)

For starters I'd pressure wash your engine bay to clean everything, then start the engine and see what starts to leak and where.

vastmax

iTrader: (18)

x2, make sure you clean all surfaces before reinstalling.

str8max

iTrader: (3)

OK installed a in oil o-ring and that did the trick....

I removed the old one and it looks like it twisted on installation.... I have to give big ups to a .org member that said to just remove the 2 cooler lines and that made it easy as pie and I lost zero coolant!

Thanks again

vastmax

iTrader: (18)

if you just unbolt the coolant hard line, you dont have to disconnect anything.

str8max

iTrader: (3)

Yep that's what I did

mandyfig

Oil leak resolved!

dnice02

iTrader: (1)

i had that same prob for a month and it drove me crazy. changed the oil cooler o-ring and the leak was gone.

BigBear805

Thank god for these forums, I have the same leak! I'll be fixing it soon!

gdal

iTrader: (2)

Mine is leaking at the same spot. How much is this gasket?

vastmax

iTrader: (18)

like $3

maxpilot53

Is this o-ring behind the part that the filter mounts to? If so, how do you get it off?

RR5

iTrader: (6)

Drain oil and optionally the coolant, remove oil filter and remove the bolt the oil filter attaches to. I did it myself no problem, just clean the hell out of everything before reinstall. You also have to disconnect the coolant lines to the oil cooler. Be prepared to catch the coolant.

maxpilot53

Got it. Thanks!

ghostrider17

iTrader: (6)

.....I had a chuckle as well.....

"I love the smell of burnt oil from a VQ in the morning!"

Glad the OP got that fixed....i would have guessed main seal.
Didn't know there was an o-ring at the filter junction.


gr

vastmax

iTrader: (18)

dont worry about draining or catching any coolant, just unbolt the 2 bolts holding the hardline on.

Also I believe the oil cooler bolt is a 22mm

maxpilot53

I think mine is leaking here too. Where do you get the o-ring. Dealer says they don't have it.

RR5

iTrader: (6)

Call DaveB at 888-254-6060 mention maxima.org forums to get the discount.

chimaxima

Thanks str8max,vastmax and all others for this post. I had this leak for some time,no one figured out where the leak was from but because of you guys leak is gone now.
Thanks.

gdal

iTrader: (2)

I was told by DaveB that this leak only happens to 3.5 'cause the 3.0 doesn't have an oil cooler.

I have a leak around th same area ... I wonder where this leak is coming from ...

sascuderi

good to know...another reason to love the 3.0!

maxpilot53

Just got around to doing my oil cooler o-ring. Pretty easy! As vastmax said, I unbolted the two brackets that hold the coolant hard lines. This gives you enough play to remove the cooler enough tho replace the o-ring without disconnecting the hoses.. What is weird, is that when I went to the dealer, they said they had no listing for the 0-ring. They showed me the picture on their computer and it indicated that they only sold the cooler as a unit for $226. I told him that that was rediculous and that I know from the forum that the part exists. I went home and got the part number from this thread. Called the dealer with the number and he says he has two in stock. I asked how that could be possible, and he tells me that those o-rings are probably used in other vehicles too, but not available for a 2002 Maxima. I said that's either a rip off trying to get you to buy the whole unit or just plain stupid. Anyway, no more oil leak thatks to this forum.

norcallump

iTrader: (1)

I need to check my car as I have a nasty oil leak. I have oil on the a/c compressor and alternator. I was told by mechanic it is the timing cover. I have replaced the oil pan gasket. This problem started after a oil change by walmart. Im guessing they over filled the motor. I have cleaned my motor, and now my belt makes a funny sound...

dellguy3700

Thanks for the above info...

I too started with the oil pan gasket. I suggest everyone that has leaks similar to this start with the oil cooler oring.