Mechanical Help Needed!

"dtg11 - is probably on an adventure with Clifford" (dtg11) 01/09/2017 at 16:09 • Filed to: None

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My brother’s 1998 Nissan Altima (KA24DE engine) has been leaking a good bit of what looks to be oil. I’m not mechanically inclined, so I call upon the collective brain that is Oppo. If it is oil that is leaking, it’s not a substantial amount as there is still plenty of oil left as indicated by the dipstick. The engine sounds normal and using a bluetooth OBDII reader, it showed no current or pending codes.

HammerheadFistpunch > dtg11 - is probably on an adventure with Clifford 01/09/2017 at 16:12

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looks more like power steering fluid to me.

SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie > dtg11 - is probably on an adventure with Clifford 01/09/2017 at 16:13

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That’s an “ignore it” amount.

dtg11 - is probably on an adventure with Clifford > SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie 01/09/2017 at 16:16

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It’s all over the engine, which is a pretty good fire hazard.

Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell. > dtg11 - is probably on an adventure with Clifford 01/09/2017 at 16:16

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Leave some white card underneath the leak for a few hours and see what the colour is.

dtg11 - is probably on an adventure with Clifford > HammerheadFistpunch 01/09/2017 at 16:19

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I thought of that, except it looks to be coming from the valve cover/engine block area.

dtg11 - is probably on an adventure with Clifford > Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell. 01/09/2017 at 16:20

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Dark, like oil and shines like oil when in contact with water.

DC3 LS, will be perpetually replacing cars until the end of time > dtg11 - is probably on an adventure with Clifford 01/09/2017 at 16:21

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I don’t think it’s the valve covers. In the 3rd and 4th pic you can see a line of dryness between the oil and the cover. Which is unfortunate, because valve covers are easy.

DC3 LS, will be perpetually replacing cars until the end of time > dtg11 - is probably on an adventure with Clifford 01/09/2017 at 16:23

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Also be sure to check the oil frequently. Don’t wait for the light to come on. In my experience it won’t come on till there’s nothing left in the engine.

dtg11 - is probably on an adventure with Clifford > DC3 LS, will be perpetually replacing cars until the end of time 01/09/2017 at 16:25

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We’re taking it to the shop tonight and it started leaking ~3-4 days ago with minimal use. Definitely treading carefully with this one.

Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell. > dtg11 - is probably on an adventure with Clifford 01/09/2017 at 16:30

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Easy to be fooled as when it picks up grime from the engine bay and road itll look black like oil regardless. If youre sure then I really wouldnt worry about that much oil leaking, just keep an eye on the level.

SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie > dtg11 - is probably on an adventure with Clifford 01/09/2017 at 16:31

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Oil? On the outside of a transmission housing? The horror! The only thing I can think of that would be worse is oil inside the engine!

That’s clean compared to most of my cars.

DC3 LS, will be perpetually replacing cars until the end of time > dtg11 - is probably on an adventure with Clifford 01/09/2017 at 16:32

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That’s really not that bad. Obviously it’s better to fix it. One sort of “quick fix” would be if he’s running synthetic in it. To switch to conventional. There’s a point where old seals will hold conventional oil, but not synthetic. If it’s close to an oil change might be worth a shot.

Edit: Like Sideways on dirt says. You could go up a weight of oil. So if it runs on 5w-30 go to 10w-30. It’s a common fix. I’d double check the forums though. Your engine may not be as tolerant to weight changes as 90's Hondas.

SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie > DC3 LS, will be perpetually replacing cars until the end of time 01/09/2017 at 16:32

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Thicker oil - the OG gasket repairer.

dtg11 - is probably on an adventure with Clifford > DC3 LS, will be perpetually replacing cars until the end of time 01/09/2017 at 16:34

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Always uses conventional.

SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie > HammerheadFistpunch 01/09/2017 at 16:35

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Sure it’s not power window fluid?

Takuro Spirit > dtg11 - is probably on an adventure with Clifford 01/09/2017 at 16:39

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My guess is distributor o-ring/seal and valve cover gasket. The latter looks like it might have to come off anyways to replace the former.

gmporschenut also a fan of hondas > dtg11 - is probably on an adventure with Clifford 01/13/2017 at 00:17

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was it the head gasket?

dtg11 - is probably on an adventure with Clifford > gmporschenut also a fan of hondas 01/13/2017 at 12:55

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Some seal on the distributor, ended up replacing the entire distributor. Apparently it’s such a common problem that the mechanic (just a normal one, not even a Nissan specialist) had the exact part in stock.