Big oil leak, ruined alternater

[olympusheights123]

Ok so i have this oil leak and its big. So much so that my alternater is drenched in it and now it doesnt work. Now im new here so i dont really know how to upload pics but its hard to tell where the leaks are coming from but it seems the power steering pump right above it might be the cause. Any ideas? Is this a common thing for 300zx's??

[t.mcginley.jr]

Easiest way to upload pics is to upload them to PhotoBucket (free), copy the link for it, and paste it into an IMG tag on here.

Anyway, yes the power steering pump can leak, it isn't uncommon. The hoses themselves can also go bad and cause a leak. You could coat the alternator in oil from an actual oil leak too like from a bad valve cover gasket, but I don't think it would be enough to drench it.

[olympusheights123]

Its not a realy good picture but the general area is just drenched in what looks like old lube/oil and the alternater is just covered in it. Its hard to tell where the leak is coming from

[ThisIsSparTTa]

huge oil leak in the front probably = front main seal

[olympusheights123]

Is the front main seal on the passenger side? Cause theres no leak on driver front side

[Ace2cool]

No, the front main is on the crankshaft. Your High pressure power steering hose is most likely leaking. It's very common to fail of someone uses power steering fluid in the power steering system. You're only supposed to use ATF.

[nexus08]

Power steering leak is my guess too based on location.

[t.mcginley.jr]

If you're mechanically inclined, Z1 sells new hoses and also rebuild kits for the PS pump. If it was the front main seal leaking the oil/grease buildup would probably be contained inside the timing belt covers. Other than the PS pump leaking, like I said the valve cover gaskets can leak oil onto basically the whole engine over time.

[ThisIsSparTTa]

Mine supposedly had a "bad" front main seal leak before I got it, and it found plenty of ways to escape the timing belt cover. The entire engine bay is a mess. Luckily with the engine actually getting pulled out next week I can finally clean more of this stuff up.