common oil leaks?

[skatanic28]

im trying to track down an oil leak and im not having too much luck. just wondering if anyone could help me out. there is a good amount of oil residue on the alternator and alt brackets, sway bar, crossmember, passenger side tension rod and tension rod bracket and even the damn radiator hose. i cleaned up all around the head and block and then checked a few days later and it all just seems like splatter. could oil be leaking past the front seal and getting thrown around by the crank pulley? i checked the oil filter and oil pressure switch and its pretty clean up there. thanks for any input.

[Checkered-Member]

A common problem in Nissan/Infiniti is the oil crank seal, had to replace mine twice...

[BadMojo]

A common problem in Nissan/Infiniti is the oil crank seal, had to replace mine twice...

Yeah, I had to replace a front main seal too. It was a ****ing mess.

I think that's the most likely source of your leak, especially if the filter area is pretty clean. That would rule out anything around the filter, including the oil pressure sender.

[skatanic28]

thanks guys, looks like ill be throwing in a new seal along with the e-fans.

quick question.....how did you guys pull the crank pulley off? i have an underdrive pulley and ive seen a few of them get pretty messed up by those jaw type pullers. ive been told i can just pry it off or stick a piece of wood on the side and hammer it out. any input?

[DjPantsSpecR]

i have three KA's that all have bad front crank seals, and it sounds like that is exactly your problem, but you already figured that much out.

You really shouldn't have any problem with the jaw type pullers as long as you unbolt the crank bolt enough so the pulley doesnt get stuck and you accidently break the lip off the pulley. Prying it off would do a lot more damage than useing a puller, and usually space is an issue to hammer it out, but if you can do it... bottom line is, when my leaked i went to sears an bought a gear puller,k very easy. If you dont have 35 bones, rent one for free at autozone

[dfw240_EE]

Since everyone agrees front crank seal, I have also heard that you might want to check the oil pan gasket. While you are under there, might as well see if you have a leak there as well.

I too need to change my front seal, but it isn't bad yet, and I have no job so I am trying to just go easy on it till I find something.

[Golden]

I just bought a valve cover gasket and an oil pan gasket. I was hoping one of the two would fix my oil leak. Because of you, I am now paranoid about my front seal. I guess I will replace it too... especially if people say it is a common flaw for this engine. Thanks for speaking up.

[Checkered-Member]

Because of you, I am now paranoid about my front seal. I guess I will replace it too... especially if people say it is a common flaw for this engine.

not just this engine, the entire Nissan line up

I think the cars that are affected are from late 80 to early 2000

[93DriftMachine]

Another common place is the oil pan. I have the same problem now. I clean the engine one day and after 3 days it gets dirty again. It might be leaking from the front seal of the oil pan gasket and as the oil leaks it gets on the crank and belts and throws oil all around. Hope you find the prblem.

[skatanic28]

so i picked up a 3 jaw puller and a front main seal from nissan, ill be giving this a shot during the week sometime. i'll let you guys know how it works out. e-fans are in so at least theres lots of room now thanks for the help.

[skatanic28]

so after i pulled off the crank pulley it was pretty obvious it was the crank seal. tossed the new one in and then let it idle for 10 min with no apparent leaks. hopefully thats the only leak. thanks for all the help guys.

marc

[oneline180]

ahaha, damn seals, that was the one thing i hated about my car.

[dfw240_EE]

With luck it will be equally obvious on my car.