im glad to say i just picked up my 1992 maxima se...but the sad thign is i woke up and noticed a very small puddle of oil sitting under the engine. now i was wondering if anyone knows what the cause of this could be? the engine seems to be running strong, and with no problems...so if anyone can help please do. one more thing, when i start the car even on a warm day theres some i wouldnt call it smoke..but kind of liek humid air coming out of the exhasust, and this goes away after drivign for about 5 or 10 minutes, it this something i shjould be worried about? its nto a dark smoek from oil or anything, just a clear thin smoke, mor eof humid air.

 

It's probably your engine crank oil seal. Its a small oil seal that the main pulley runs on. If you have access to an impact wrench its a pretty easy job. Also replace all three belts while your at it.

 

do you know how much a job like that would cost me to do at a nissan dealer? im guesisnhg if its just a seal its not too bad, i put the car on a jack to check it out and i thought it might be the seal for the crankshaft but wasnt sure...i already have an appoitment to have it checked out and if not fixed, any guesses on the white smoke that disapears after 5 minutes of driving the car?

 

I did the oil seal myself, but I dont think it should be too much $$. the seal itself costs like $3, if you include belts and labor my guess would be ~$250 or maybe a bit less. As for the smoke, smell it, if it smells sweet it may be antifreeze (bad head gasket possibley). If it doesnt smell too bad then I think its just normal (mine does the same and It's just steam).