1998 Nissan Pathfinder Oil Leak

[CakeDaddy]

I think everyone on the Pathfinder side of this forum has seen or is familiar with my previous oil leak issue from 13 months ago.

13 months ago:zerothread?id=292167

Last week I’ve been noticing another small leak from the front end/driver side of my 98 Pathfinder, so under the truck I go.

I noticed this:This is the oil pressure switch sending unit (pt num 25240-8996E). Cost $19. The more I drove the truck I noticed more and more oil splashing underneath the front end of the truck and onto my marble & gold layered driveway.

I was told that I need a special socket to remove such a part, so I scored this little lovely from a friend who is a certified mechanic:It appears to be a regular socket, but it isn’t. It’s especially made for removing oil switch sending units. <-- I’m quoting. This part isn’t the easiest to remove, but it’s located directly behind/above the oil filter (seen in earlier picture)

Take a look at the old part and notice the small ring of oil around the plastic and the missing rubber seal:

…and the new one with the rubber seal:

If you have the skills and tools, this job will take less than an hour and you will be forced to change your filter. Also, this is a delicate part (plastics and aluminum) and only requires 10-15lbs of pressure when applying torque.
Modified by CakeDaddy at 5:38 PM 1/5/2009

[Chuck Tribolet]

The tool probably isn't that hard to find. I've needed one three times, once for my mom's '60 Comet (in about 1970), once for my late wife's '68 Firebird 400 ragtop (in about 1980), and once for my '95 PF. The first time, when I asked for the part at the partsstore, the counter guy said "you are also going to need THIS". The second time,the counter guy said "you are also going to need THIS", and I fished the socektout and said "maybe not". Third time, the part came from the dealer, no suchsmart counter guy.

BTW, the first two failed with a leak, but worked electrically. The one on thePathfinder failed electrically (read OK up to about 25 PSI, then went to zeroas the PSI went up) and didn't leak.

There are two different sockets, looks like your Pathfinder takes the same oneas the Comet and Firebird, which is, IIRC, the larger one. Maybe more than two sockets now.
Modified by Chuck Tribolet at 9:36 AM 1/6/2009

[fueler]

Good info. Ive heard of these leaking on Nissans before but have not experienced this myself....

[CakeDaddy]

BTW, the first two failed with a leak, but worked electrically.

Yes…Thank you. I failed to mention this. I had leaks, but no psi issues.

[fukkeneh240]

i just used a standard socket to remove the sensor on my 240 (i know not a pathy, but pretty much the same thing). that's where run your oil feed line from when going turbo...

sorry for the useless info.

oh, remember to put on thread lock/loctite/thread tape before putting it back in, or you just might get another leak.

[ascdesigns]

Sorry to revive an old thread, but I'm looking for a little peace of mind.

I'm heading out to Moab for the weekend, about ~300 miles from home. I've just noticed that I have a leak exactly like this thread depicts. I was able to tighten the sending unit about 3/4 turn so it may have been leaking through the threads (fingers crossed). If it's not, is this a part that will start gushing oil through the plastic? or is it more of an annoying drip?

I'll be certain to change this part when I get home, but I don't have the time before I leave this evening. My local Advance Auto has it for $9.00 - such an inexpensive part that's a pain to get to!

Thanks,

Al

[carnal_c30]

its more of an annoying leak, I've never seen one really bad. I've changed them on my Maximas and 240, they all seem to have the problem.