Help Finding Oil leak - or were to begin

[Gerardjg]

First a Happy New years to all

( Yoda I still have not reinstalled the evap coil)

I changed my oil yesterday and this morning I noticed a puddle under the car.Rechecked drain plug and filter took the lower cover off and cleaned the area.I have a constant drip coming through the bottom of the alternator, I can not see above this. any ideas would be greatly appreciated. Front seal or valve cover is what comes to mind.

Modified by Gerardjg at 6:38 PM 1/22/2010[/i

Modified by Gerardjg at 6:39 PM 1/22/2010
Modified by Gerardjg at 6:40 PM 1/22/2010

[yodawill2000]

I have a VERY slow leak from the passenger side valve cover and it drips on the exhaust manifold.If you look down the the exhaust do you see burnt oil marks ?I'm changing my oil today so I will look above the ALt and see where it might be coming from on yours.

[driverdriver]

I have had an oil leak for a few years that comes from one of the bolts being loose on the oil pan. Tightening it gets rid of it.

[yodawill2000]

Just got back in from the oil change.If you don't see any burn marks on the exhaust then I bet Driver is the winner !!!Oil pan bolts are right above the alternator.Easy to get to as well.

[Gerardjg]

Thanks did not even think of that i will get under there in the morning and give a look.

[Gerardjg]

Just got back in from the oil change.If you don't see any burn marks on the exhaust then I bet Driver is the winner !!!Oil pan bolts are right above the alternator.Easy to get to as well.

Just got under there and looked the oil pan mount bolts are adjacent to the midway point of the alternator. the oil is coming from above the alternator and the back of the power steering pump is soaked with oil-

[swimshark]

sorta dumb question but is it motor oil or is it red in color? you could possibly have a bad valve cover seal. i fixed mine because i had a drip on the exhaust on my passengers side.

this isnt the cover that was leaking but some pics from what i did to replace the intake seals and you use silicone rtv for the exhaust covers.

replacement kit you can get if that is what it is.

http://www.z1motorsports.com/p...=2819

[Gerardjg]

Thanks for the pictures it is definitely motor oil I have Mobil 1 ATF in the power steering. Using a mirror I can see the front pax side of the valve cover that is dry.Used 1/2 quart on a 100 mile trip yesterday, I did have to fabricate a shield around the alternator to keep it dry . I do have the skills but not the time I will be bringing it to a local shop tomorrow If it is the front seals he quoted me $1,1000 and he will replace the timing belt all drive belts water pump and hoses. or I could keep a couple of gallons of oil in the trunk.

[swimshark]

Which front seals are you talking about? There are 4 total valve covers. 2 intake and 2 exhaust valve covers. Is this leak coming from the cam gears? $1100 doesnt sound too bad if he is doing a full plenum pull and timing belt or is he only doing timing belt? If it is leaking from the front it could be cam gear seals. Otherwise it could just be the exhaust valve cover.

Full timing belt kit you can get for about $550. http://www.conceptzperformance...36.22 The water pump is slightly different, but you can specify that you dont want it and they will take it off the order.

If you have a weekend you can get it done pretty easily. Took me a full Saturday doing it by myself the first time.

[Gerardjg]

The Cam Shaft and main front are the seals he quoted me by me describing where the oil was dripping from just above the power steering pump mount bolt.

[Gerardjg]

I just got the final quote It was the cam shaft seal leaking to do the seals timing belt tensioners and all of the related parts + water pump & hoses etc everything in the kit plus the oil pressure transmitter,drive belts and alternator.

$1,800.00 using all parts from Infiniti, I bit the bullet and said go for ithopefully i will get another 100k out of it. Be ready Tuesday

[Gerardjg]

Well Tuesday came and gone twice still no car, every time I call it is a different story of parts needed. Wednesday I was told the work was done they were going to start it and go for a test drive. I got busy and they never returned my call. I called Thursday and the service manager is giving me some BS that the car has low oil pressure and a lot of top end noise,of course this has nothing to do with the timing belt they just installed. After a heated discussion and telling Him I drove 40 miles at 65mph plus to his shop with a smooth quiet engine with an oil leak, I even stopped half way there and checked the oil and none was needed. His next story was that my oil pressure switch wire was obviously broken a long time and I would not have known about low pressure. Just like most of you every light in my dash works and is checked regularly. The thing he could not explain was how come they did not mention all the top end noises when the engine was being leak checked, or about the obvious broken wire when I was told the PSI switch was leaking , He claimed he would go talk to the mechanic and call me back. That never happened, Today I called and the service manager was off, the person that answered the phone said he would check the paperwork, he got back to me saying they are locating a used engine , he could not answer why they were looking for an engine and told me to call back Mondaywhen my service manager will be in.

Are there attorneys that specialize in this kind of work?

[yodawill2000]

Sorry to hear that man.Sounds like they arent very familiar with the J engine.Can yo name the shop so others can avoid this kinda stuff?