Hi guys,

I'm not sure exactly what is wrong with my engine, if anything. I was hoping someone could help me out. I just had my '93 GXE (112,000 miles) in for a few "routine" operations: water pump, thermostat, timing belt, new belts, and replacing two cam seals. Before I brought it in for all this, I knew that I had an oil leak somewhere, from the stains on my driveway. When the dealer (@#&*.,@!) inspected it, he said it was the two cam seals, and that would fix the problem. That was about 2 months ago, and I still smell oil when I am sitting still for more than two minutes. Last night I changed oil in it for the first time, and there is oil all over the underside above the drain plug. I check my oil level weekly, and it never seams to go down. Do I have a problem, or just need to clean my engine real good to get it all the old stuff off? Any help or advise is GREATLY appreciated.
Thanks.

BTW...Any of you guys from Minnesota?

 

Cleaning the engine is the best first step in finding an oil leak. On all the Nissans I've had, the oil filter was right above the exhaust pipe and very often some oil would drip onto the pipe causing the burnt oil smell (I know there is a lip around the base of the oil filter mount on the third gens to direct the oil onto the ground.) You can also have a bad gasket/washer on the oil drain plug. Also the oilpan hold down screws could be a little loose allowing oil to weep. The other thing to check is to make sure that it's engine oil and not power steering or transmission fluid.

 

Yeah if anyone else has some more ideas, I'm having the same problem with my '91 SE.

 

You had the timing belt done right?? I suspect a front crank seal but I would think they would have replaced that when they did the timing belt.

 

They charged me for all the crank seals, whether or not they did it is another question. I tend to trust them, being everything total cost me $1100!! Maybe they didn't tighten everything down good, or something like that. Maybe I should take it back to them and make them explain it to me. What do ya think?

 

For $1000, I would take it back and ask them what's going on. You may want to jack up the car and take a look but it does sound like it's coming from the front of the engine somewhere. ie.. where the mechanic has done some work already.