Oil Leak From Rear Of Engine

[s2cmpugh]

Good day everyone! I did a search for the rear main seal and oil pan gasket, but came up empty handed. I currently have an oil leak from the rear of the engine. It seems to be dropping from the bottom of the transmission bell housing where it meets the motor and to the right of the transmission on two metal hoses (passenger side). I took it into the shop and they replaced the valve cover gaskets (were in bad shape), but it's still leaking a little. Could it be the oil pan gasket, or is it the rear main seal?

 

Thanks,

Cris

[Simon]

Could be either. Best bet is to clean it up well with a good degreaser, start the motor, and get underneath with a flashlight to see where it's originating from.

[nige]

I went through the same thing last week with mine. I got scared and thought it was the rear main seal, but after i thoroughly cleaned everything off and took an second look, it ended up being a leaking gasket on my oil filter relocation kit. The oil ran down the transmission cooler lines and the side of the bell housing.

 

Check you oil pressure sensor plug right next door to the oil filter and make sure it is snug (but not super tight). You can get a good view if you take the tire off or look from underneath. just wear some goggles and don't get dripped on by hot oil. Hopefully it's coming from that area above the starter and not the little weeping hole at the bottom of the transmission where it meets the engine.

[s2cmpugh]

Thanks for the quick replies guys! I don't have an oil filter relocation kit, so mine is still in the same spot towards the front of the motor. I'll try to pinpoint where I see oil dripping from. If you are underneath the vehicle with your legs out towards the front and your head towards the back; it's dripping right at the bottom of the transmission bell housing where it meats the motor. If you look a little to the right (like 2 inches or so) you will two metal lines of somesort with oil dripping off of them. Is there a sensor around there that needs replacing or something I'm missing? I doubt it's the rear main seal as it would probably just drip straight down and not over to the right.

 

Thanks!

 

I should add that it's a 98 SE 4x4.

Edited April 23, 2010 by s2cmpugh

[nismothunder]

Sounds like a mainseal...or a tranny line is broke/loose...

[s2cmpugh]

If it's a rear main seal, FORGET IT. I'm not dropping the transmission for a few drops of oil a day.

[fleurys]

If it's a rear main seal, FORGET IT. I'm not dropping the transmission for a few drops of oil a day.

 

 

I have the same leak..coming from the small windows where the trans meet with the engine... I have been living with this for 2 years and has not been worst or better.. does not leak on the ground.. so for me too , I just accept it but always keep an eye on it....

 

I have read the procedure to change the main seal and it is not something i want to try on a friday night in my driveway.... :-)

[nismothunder]

My 95 needs a main seal,I just made sure it was always full,big deal if its leaks,thats why you can buy the cheap stuff...

[s2cmpugh]

Good point. I'm a firm beleiver in buying and driving cheap, well maintained cars and trucks as opposed to paying $45k for something that only uses value as you use it. I'll just keep an eye on the oil level and maybe crawl underneath this weekend to see if it's the rear oil pan gasket.

 

This is my first 4x4 pathfinder. I've owned a 99 maxima and I absolutely loved the motor in that thing. That a being said, I'm more familiar with Honda's (I can do timing belts, water pumps, valve adjustments, springs/struts, etc. on a Honda) so this whole working on a truck thing is new. Lots of sh*t in the way it seems.

[silverton]

Good point. I'm a firm beleiver in buying and driving cheap, well maintained cars and trucks as opposed to paying $45k for something that only uses value as you use it. I'll just keep an eye on the oil level and maybe crawl underneath this weekend to see if it's the rear oil pan gasket.

 

This is my first 4x4 pathfinder. I've owned a 99 maxima and I absolutely loved the motor in that thing. That a being said, I'm more familiar with Honda's (I can do timing belts, water pumps, valve adjustments, springs/struts, etc. on a Honda) so this whole working on a truck thing is new. Lots of sh*t in the way it seems.

 

My 95 developed a leak, same location as yours, at first I thought rear main, but I had to reuse my old oil filter when I changed the oil, was in a bind and didn't have much of a choice. But then all of a sudden, the leak stopped.

 

And to be honest, I'm used to working on cars, and love working on the pathfinder, it is so much easier to me! Don't have to jack it up or put it on ramps for most things, hondas don't count as real cars though... lol!