Front engine oil leak

[dcorazal]

97 Altima with a KA24DE . Since the motor is about 2 inches from the right side of the wheel well it’s hard to tell where it’s leaking. Seems to be somewhere towards the top of the engine but not the valve cover. I have seen several posts regarding the timing cover and have a couple clarifying questions. If I was to remove the timing cover and replace gaskets is it easier to remove the motor or work on it in the car. The Consumer Guide lists Oil leak: Oil leaking from the front of the engine could be caused by a bad O-ring between the timing cover and the engine block. (1993-95). Is this the front main bearing seal? I’m guessing its not but what would be the recommended gaskets to fix any possible oil leak on the front of the engine. When I take it apart I want to do it right. Any help from someone that’s done this repair would be appreciated. I have the trany out now replacing the clutch. Thanks

[TheOne]

could be the front main bearing seal, usually that 1 leaks on a 240sx, and the rear main seal.

[Kaikias]

Sounds like front main seal I was able to replace mine without pulling the motor. If you do a search some people have reported being able to do it in a hour or two. When I did mine I re-did all the seals on the front of the motor (main, Timing cover, ect.)

[dcorazal]

Thanks for the replies, if the front crank seal is leaking does the pulley fling oil up as far as the top of the timing cover? Most of the motors I have seen the oil usually just leaks down around the bottom of the motor. Looks like the seal won’t be too bad of a job. I’ll try that first. The rear main is dry so I’m not touching that.

[9240sx]

When the front crank pulley seal went out on my KA it put little bit's of oil all over the engine bay.

[Kaikias]

I had oil every where

[slydin'240]

I had oil every where

Me too - oil everywhere. Changed the front seal in the 240 in about 1.5 hrs. The altima sounds alittle more difficult though.