Help with 04 g35 oil leak!

[cannachris]

Ok so here we go..

My 04 g35 sedan has ~130k miles on it at this point. Im using mobile1 high mile full synthetic oil as was suggested by a friend who I feel is good with cars.

I happened to be at Walmart and needed an oil change( i know i know...wally world isnt the best place to get a change done). About a week later I backed out of my garage and noticed a small spot of oil on the ground. Not thinking anything of it I let it go for a bit. So last week (about 6k miles after my last change) I took my car to an independent shop that had great reviews. They changed the oil, and I let them know of the previous leak issue. They assured me it wasnt my filter, but theres oil around the filter area. They didn't tell me what it could be, but to come back in a couple weeks and they'll try and see what the problem is. The thing that concerns me is continuing to drop oil for the next 2 weeks while I wait to go back.

Now I know these cars have notorious oil consumption issues, but my problem seems to be the opposite. I took a picture yesterday after my car had been sitting for about 9 hours while I was at work. You can see oil around various parts near my filter but I have no idea what it would be. Also there is a picture of the amount of oil I drop every day.

And lately I've been smelling a slight burning smell around the radiator area that is making me worry as well.

Any input is welcome.

[biggie]

Looks like its somewhere around there. Does that hose have a hole possibly? Or is it around the oil pan gasket?

[joe603]

Okay, so the oil consumption problem is with the REVUP engine in the 05-07 coupe 05-06 sedan. You don't have it...

Looking at the picture, it looks like the filter was installed improperly...either not tight enough or there is debris not allowing a good seal. Sometimes the rubber gasket gets stuck from an old filter and when you put the new one on over it, it will leak. In fact, it looks like the filter may be damaged...a claw wrench to put it on can do this. I wonder if the back side of the filter has a friggen hole!

Now, my advice would be to not use wally-world for oil changes...Jiffy lube is better and that's not saying much. Dealers now-a-days offer very comparable prices for maintenance. But I would recommend you do it yourself! The hardest part is taking off the 12 bolts holding the plastic shroud.

To fix it, take it to another shop...avoid the cheapest.

[cannachris]

Looks like its somewhere around there. Does that hose have a hole possibly? Or is it around the oil pan gasket?

It may be that hose, its hard to tell yet without cleaning it off first. Theres some older oil and crap from the road like dirt, etc, on it. It could also be the pan gasket since it looks like theres oil around the seal. Again, without cleaning it off first I cant really be sure. Is there any suggested chemical/solvent/cleaner to use to clean these areas? The guy at the oil change place I went to last said to use brake cleaner, then my dad suggested carburetor cleaner. But then someone said that dont use either of those because they can/will dry up and maybe crack the gaskets. So I'm open to suggestions. I need to give it a good cleaning to see where the oil is really coming from I guess.

Also, whats the official name for that hose if I were to ask about it at any shop?

[cannachris]

Okay, so the oil consumption problem is with the REVUP engine in the 05-07 coupe 05-06 sedan. You don't have it...

Looking at the picture, it looks like the filter was installed improperly...either not tight enough or there is debris not allowing a good seal. Sometimes the rubber gasket gets stuck from an old filter and when you put the new one on over it, it will leak. In fact, it looks like the filter may be damaged...a claw wrench to put it on can do this. I wonder if the back side of the filter has a friggen hole!

Now, my advice would be to not use wally-world for oil changes...Jiffy lube is better and that's not saying much. Dealers now-a-days offer very comparable prices for maintenance. But I would recommend you do it yourself! The hardest part is taking off the 12 bolts holding the plastic shroud.

To fix it, take it to another shop...avoid the cheapest.

Ah ok, I was just told that G's in general were known to burn up oil. Glad I got that cleared up.

The last place I went to wasnt exactly cheap. It was an independently owned lube shop that claimed to take pride in their service blah blah. They had great reviews so thats why I went there. Paid $50 bucks on Yelp and got a $75 dollar coupon for a service there. They actually ended up paying ME $4 lol.

I didnt really look at the filter casing until you mentioned it might be damaged, and in that picture I do see a weird dimple where it might have been punctured. But the leak itself seems to be coming from the side of the filter where that hose is. The fact that theres oil right at the bend of the hose leads me to believe that may be the issue. I really hope I dont have to pull the pan off since I just paid to get my oil changed.

I've also read online that a full synthetic oil is more likely to seep through any kind of gasket because its thinner than standard oil, just based on the molecules that make up the type of oil. Not sure if this is a rumor or not, but some claimed to never having an oil problem until they went full synthetic. Would it hurt my engine to go back to a regular oil vs a full synthetic at this point? I've ran the engine on full synthetic for about 3 changes now.

[telcoman]

Okay, so the oil consumption problem is with the REVUP engine in the 05-07 coupe 05-06 sedan. You don't have it...

Looking at the picture, it looks like the filter was installed improperly...either not tight enough or there is debris not allowing a good seal. Sometimes the rubber gasket gets stuck from an old filter and when you put the new one on over it, it will leak. In fact, it looks like the filter may be damaged...a claw wrench to put it on can do this. I wonder if the back side of the filter has a friggen hole!

Now, my advice would be to not use wally-world for oil changes...Jiffy lube is better and that's not saying much. Dealers now-a-days offer very comparable prices for maintenance. But I would recommend you do it yourself! The hardest part is taking off the 12 bolts holding the plastic shroud.

To fix it, take it to another shop...avoid the cheapest.

Ah ok, I was just told that G's in general were known to burn up oil. Glad I got that cleared up.

The last place I went to wasnt exactly cheap. It was an independently owned lube shop that claimed to take pride in their service blah blah. They had great reviews so thats why I went there. Paid $50 bucks on Yelp and got a $75 dollar coupon for a service there. They actually ended up paying ME $4 lol.

I didnt really look at the filter casing until you mentioned it might be damaged, and in that picture I do see a weird dimple where it might have been punctured. But the leak itself seems to be coming from the side of the filter where that hose is. The fact that theres oil right at the bend of the hose leads me to believe that may be the issue. I really hope I dont have to pull the pan off since I just paid to get my oil changed.

I've also read online that a full synthetic oil is more likely to seep through any kind of gasket because its thinner than standard oil, just based on the molecules that make up the type of oil. Not sure if this is a rumor or not, but some claimed to never having an oil problem until they went full synthetic. Would it hurt my engine to go back to a regular oil vs a full synthetic at this point? I've ran the engine on full synthetic for about 3 changes now.

I frequently agree with Joe but not on using Jiffy Lube

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wiCAJ8ULnaI

I've learned over the years you usually get what you pay for.Buy cheap and you will usually end up buying twice.

Either do your own oil and filter changes or take it to the dealer.
I've never used synthetic oil and my service guy at the dealer advised me not to use it.

I don't think returning to standard 5w-30 oil will have any adverse effects on your engine but check with Infiniti service to confirm

Telcoman

[cannachris]

Ok so I got it up on a lift the other day, cleaned up the area and its definitely not coming from my pan plug or the filter. After work today I got under and looked and I definitely see leakage around the edge of the lower oil pan. Now my question is, do G's require high temp RVT like I've seen suggested for use? Or is there a cork/rubber gasket that will work? I see that theres no obstruction of the pan and I can get to the bolts easily. Basically just looking to see if this is a DIY project or if it'll require some shop time.

[cannachris]

Damn...that Jiffy Lube video was shocking. Thanks for the heads up. Ive only ever gotten my oil changed by them like two or three times, and every time they tell me I need all these high dollar services. My dad is a retired mechanic so I've learned not to take their BS suggestions and to rely on service manuals for the most part. Being that hes an old school american car mechanic he hasnt been too knowledgeable on these asian cars. (hence me being on this forum). I'd just rather get experienced current drivers advice.

The last place I went to was an independently owned shop, and I personally stood there during the whole service. I came there for an oil change and thats what I got. They acknowledged the leak and even offered to diagnose the issue should it return after their change, even though I told them Walmart had been the last people to change it before my leak started. They never tried to upsell anything or tell me I needed anything else than what I came in and asked for. At this point I think its just time for the seal to be changed, I dont feel like its anyones fault but the mileage I've put on the car.

This is the last place I went, the reviews were convincing enough, and I gave them a great one as well. As far as customer service, I've not experienced any better, and my BS radar didn't go off.
http://www.yelp.com/biz/kwik-kar-at-champions-spring

I frequently agree with Joe but not on using Jiffy Lube

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wiCAJ8ULnaI

I've learned over the years you usually get what you pay for.Buy cheap and you will usually end up buying twice.

Either do your own oil and filter changes or take it to the dealer.
I've never used synthetic oil and my service guy at the dealer advised me not to use it.

I don't think returning to standard 5w-30 oil will have any adverse effects on your engine but check with Infiniti service to confirm

Telcoman

[telcoman]

Go underneath your car with a socket wrench and make sure none of the bolts around the oil pan have loosened.

Do not overtighten

Sometimes a few of them can loosen over time and cause oil to leak thru the gasket

Telcoman

[cannachris]

Go underneath your car with a socket wrench and make sure none of the bolts around the oil pan have loosened.

Do not overtighten

Sometimes a few of them can loosen over time and cause oil to leak thru the gasket

Telcoman

We checked that Saturday when I had it up on the lift, cleaned up all the excess oil/road sediment that had stuck to crap, etc. At this point theres only oil showing up around the bottom of the pan and nothing above it, or coming from the plug or filter. If its not the oil pan seal then I dont know what else it could be.

[joe603]

Looks like you need a new oil pan gasket...sucks that you just did a change, but it's a 9 year old car! Cheap enough to replace.

The comment about synthetic oil causing leaks was true 20-30 years ago when seals and gasket material were different. Now-a-days it really doesn't matter what type of oil used...synthetic will protect a bit more and also free up some HP.