oil leak and it's nowhere to be found HELP!!!

Nissan 300ZX technical discussion forum: Maintenance, performance, installations, modifications, how-to's and troubleshooting.
sk298384
Posts: 2
Joined: Sat Feb 11, 2017 9:24 am
Car: 1990 nissan 300zx

Post

About 4 months ago I ended up ruining my heads when my timing belt came off while driving. I have since bought new heads put them on and have driven the car a few times. The car prior to the new heads didn't leak a single drop of oil but after it goes through about 3/4 a quart every couple days. Since I couldn't see anything with the engine bay filled I decided to take it apart to investigate. The leak is definitely around where the alternator and power steering pump is mounted. It's not the intake, exhaust, cam seals head gasket or front main seal causing the problem. i am completely lost as to where the leak is.
Is there an easy way to pressurize an oil system with air, to find the leak? i had the idea to take out the oil plug located where the alternator mounts and screwing in an air hose fitting to pressurize and look for it that way. Will this work?
Any help would be great


elecfus
Posts: 99
Joined: Mon Oct 17, 2016 4:09 am

Post

you can get UV dyes for the oil and trace it that way. blowing air into your oil lines could theoretically purge your oil pump. which could cause it to fail to prime. when new oil pumps are installed they need to be packed with grease because they can fail if run dry.

if the leak is near the power steering pump then it could be the power steering system that's not connected properly.

sk298384
Posts: 2
Joined: Sat Feb 11, 2017 9:24 am
Car: 1990 nissan 300zx

Post

Thanks, I don't think it powersteering because it's deffinetly oil leaking and and my power steering fluid level is always good never needing to add any.

User avatar
DCaff300ZX
Posts: 4202
Joined: Sun Jun 14, 2009 8:18 am
Car: .
1993 CRP TT- Modified
Location: Tacoma, Washington

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The only thing it can really be in that location is a bad/pinched valve cover gasket from your head replacement, or a cracked block perhaps. I assume you opened the front and checked the main seal along with the cam seals?
Can't think of any other way than dye to search for the leak other than removing stuff, but which then makes running the engine difficult/impossible.


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