possible oil leak - Page 2

we350z · #1 08-12-2008, 03:21 PM

OK cool. So take just the plastic acoustical cover off and inspect the lines? I suppose it will be pretty obvious if they are leaking.

As for the valve covers... would it be obvious if they were leaking too? Anyone have any pics to reference?

thx

Quote:

Originally Posted by supersteve

The lines run along the top of the engine (under the cover). The separator sits between the engine and the fire wall. The lines are easy to check, but difficult to change.

supersteve · #2 08-12-2008, 06:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by we350z

OK cool. So take just the plastic acoustical cover off and inspect the lines? I suppose it will be pretty obvious if they are leaking.

As for the valve covers... would it be obvious if they were leaking too? Anyone have any pics to reference?

thx

If the lines on top of the engine are bad, they will be more like putty than rubber. If those lines are bad it's also a good idea to replace the line that goes form the oil sep back into the engine. That is the hard one because it's behind the engine. You'll want to do it when the engine is stone cold (first thing in the morning).

It's not really that bad. I did it without taking the firewall out (didn't realize it came off at the time) so it was tight; but, I got it done.

rastaFarai · #3 08-11-2008, 09:40 PM

i believe i may have same issue. last time i went in for service the mech told me and showed me leak from under the car. He said it was the head gasket and some other gasket. At the time, he did however change the hoses that had pretty much melted under the engine cover.

anyone know if my issue is the same?

we350z · #4 08-11-2008, 10:28 PM

Melted? Are you sure you didn't have leaky valve cover gaskets? That is a common problem and fairly easy to fix.

Quote:

Originally Posted by rastaFarai

i believe i may have same issue. last time i went in for service the mech told me and showed me leak from under the car. He said it was the head gasket and some other gasket. At the time, he did however change the hoses that had pretty much melted under the engine cover.

anyone know if my issue is the same?

X5Flyboy · #5 08-11-2008, 10:34 PM

are those the two ~30mm dia hoses that run behind the engine? Had mine changed once already. Will have to check them again before heading east. If they feel soft, flexible, thin, then it's time to change them.

supersteve · #6 08-12-2008, 08:45 PM

To check the valve covers you just need to look at the seam where they meet the head. You could also look in the spark plug wells. I don't think it is either. If the valve cover gaskets where leaking, chances are you would smell oil burning after driving. If the spark plug wells where leaking you would most likely foul out the plug.

As far as I know the valley pan will only leak anti freeze. There are no oil galleys there.

I really suspect it is the oil return line that goes down the back of the engine from the oil sep to the oil pan. IIRC looking through the front passenger side wheel well with the wheels turned to the left gives a pretty good view with a bright light. Again, it's tight but if the engine is wet on that passenger side rear corner you have found the leak.

we350z · #7 08-12-2008, 11:15 PM

Cool. I think the valve covers are fine then. I have the entire half axle off the front passenger side so needless to say i can see in there pretty well lol. I'll take a pic. I think some of the cv joint moly grease got sprayed in there somehow when the cv boot burst - perhaps thats all that was leaking. But I am going to check out the oil seperator send/return lines nonetheless.

Quote:

Originally Posted by supersteve

To check the valve covers you just need to look at the seam where they meet the head. You could also look in the spark plug wells. I don't think it is either. If the valve cover gaskets where leaking, chances are you would smell oil burning after driving. If the spark plug wells where leaking you would most likely foul out the plug.

As far as I know the valley pan will only leak anti freeze. There are no oil galleys there.

I really suspect it is the oil return line that goes down the back of the engine from the oil sep to the oil pan. IIRC looking through the front passenger side wheel well with the wheels turned to the left gives a pretty good view with a bright light. Again, it's tight but if the engine is wet on that passenger side rear corner you have found the leak.

GXL · #8 08-12-2008, 10:47 PM

My 2001 4.4i is leaking just like the picture, how do I know for sure if the lines or the valve cover need to be replaced?

I really don't like oil leaks, so I want to take care of that as quickly as possible.

Thanks in advance,

GXL

GXL · #9 08-12-2008, 10:55 PM

I didn't realize there was a second page until I posted, so please disregard.

I think I can find the leak with the informacion provided in this thread.

Thanks to those who replied.

Regards,

GXL

Weasel · #10 08-21-2008, 08:33 PM

yeah, unfortuneately it does... it is on the back or the manifold of the 4.4i and required manifold removal, as opposed to the 3.0i which is just under the manifold. It is a bigger job on the V8. And if it hasn't been done yet, I would rec. changing the valley pan also while the intake is off, just preventative maintenance. Because that is a point that will eventually leak over time, and is just another 5-10 minutes of labor once the intake is removed.