New truck, big oil leak

[kpalf]

Hello all, first post to this site.

I worked with my son to buy an 89 Nissan pick up. It's got a V-6 in it. I don't know much more about it and am just starting the research.
We got it from a buddy of ours. It does have 250k+ miles on it, but runs well. My son paid $300 and has to wash the guys house. I think it is a fine first vehicle for a young man.

The truck has a major oil leak somewhere at the front of the motor. It leaks only when running. I'm thinkng there are four possibilities: either of the cam shaft seals, the front main seal, or the oil pan seal at the crank.

Am I on the right track?

Our plan is to start dissasembling the front of the motor until we locate the leak. I'm pretty sure I can take everything off all the way to the timing belt and still run the motor briefly with a garden hose supplying cooling water.

Are there common leak points on these motors?

Thanks for any help you all can offer.

Karl

[Rev_D21]

Welcome to Nico! Awesome purchase! As for the leak I would start by degreasing the front of the engine. That would help making leak detection a little easier.

[kpalf]

We dissasembled the front of the motor, cleaned everything up, rigged a water hose into the water pump inlet and ran it.

The leak is clearly at the front main seal.

I'm going to replace the seal, timing belt and hoses. My buddy replaced the water pump last year.

Any thing in particular to watch out for?

Thanks!