1995 240sx: oil leak from front engine cover

[atrombom]

I just bought a 1995 240sx w/ 104kmi.

I know very little about workin on cars, but i'm hoping this 240 will be a good introduction. My searches on 'oil leak' didnt come up with the location of mine.

Our family mechanic was blown away by the speed of the leak, and it took him 2 degreasings to find the source, which he says is the front engine cover and/or the timing chain cover. He said the labor to just get into the cover would be nearly $1000.

I hopin to find out what the probable source of the leak(a seal inside or the cover itself) and whether or not i should try to get in there myself. Thanks

[az240sx]

I think your "family mechanic" has gotten a little too friendly with the "family money" I would suggest you take it to another mechanic for a second opinion. $1000 dollars in labor is robbery! It's either a front oil seal or possibly the timing chain cover, but not for a $1000.

[180fan]

On a DOHC, 1k is about right for that job. Depending on where the leak is, it can be something as simple as 20 bucks if it's just the front main seal, to the 1k if it's the gasket around the front cover. Pray it's not the front cover, as you might as well do a timing chain job at the same time.

[atrombom]

Well I took it back to the guy i got it from, and he feels bad that he sold me such a big problem so he's offered to do the labor with me. (And he misses the '95 SE he used to have!)

The gasket for the front cover costs $1000?? That sounds like a lot. Anyone had to buy one?

PS- What should i do to the timing chain while i'm in there?
Modified by atrombom at 8:01 AM 5/19/2006

[180fan]

To get the front cover off on the DOHC engines, the oil pan needs to drop as well. If you take a look down below, you can see how this will be a serious pain to deal with. If you take a gander down the front of your car and at the bottom, you should start to understand why.

What to do to the chain? Replace the chain and the guides while the front cover is off. The timing chain job should run about 1k to get done. That job is no joke and will require the front cover to come off as well, kill two birds with one stone if you're not going to do the job yourself.

[rogoman]

Before you commit to have the job done by your mechanic. Determine exactly where the leak is! The most common place for a front engine leak is at the crankshaft seal that's behind the pulley. Try to determine that youself or take the car to another mechanic for a second opinion.

If it's a front crankshaft seal leak, it's very easy to replace and the cost should be under $100; the timing cover does not have to be touched.

[atrombom]

I should have mentioned that it only leaks when its running, I've heard it then has to be the crank seal. I've gotten the bolt for the damper/balancer off and tomorrow i'm getting a puller to remove the damper. I am afraid I may have marred the pulley. Its rough at the top of the 'inisde wall' of the pulley. Did I ruin it or should i grind it smooth somehow? Thanks.

[NISTECH]

There is an oring behind the front timing cover. This oring is where the oil pump shoves oil into the block. This is the only place I would suspect oil to be coming from if it is as you say , pouring out of the engine. The crank seal would never leak to the point it just pours out. There is no pressure behind it, just oil run off from the oil at the head and chain area.

[Chezedik]

If it only leaks when it is running, then you are looking at a bad crank seal. The reason is because the oil pump is directly behind it. When you take the pulley off, deburr it. I just fried my engine that way. Of course, mine was ASP.

[atrombom]

Got the seal for 7$, replaced it, no more leaks!

[ihatedomestic]

well that was better than spending 1000 bucks...

gotta love this forum!!