I've got a very slow oil leak I can't pinpoint, but it worries me because it's getting on the belts and being thrown onto the alternator.

When I went to the dealership to buy an air filter, they put it up on the lift and said it's a high leak (somwhere above the filter), and they'd need it for a day. It should have been covered, because I'm within 3yrs and 36k, but the car is has a salvage title and it looks like that part of the warranty is bust (anybody know more about this?). So now I want to take a look at it myself. Anything I should keep my eyes peeled for? I have the Haynes manual to aid me, but not MUCH experience working on engines. Just basic stuff, unfortunately.

Thanks (I hope.)

BTW, I have a 98SE 5sp.

 

I was just curious about your "salvage title" on your car. A friend of mine purchased a car with the same salvaged title also but his car is immaculate--and the only thing that was the problem was that it was a stolen/ recovered car. However, all the warranties on that car is void!! So far--knock on wood, he has not had any problems with it...but I was wondering if your car was in an accident before or stolen--thus the salvaged title?

one more thing--in your case, it is just best to take it to a independent dealer...

 

Well, it had a little front end damage (radiator needed to be replaced and whatever cosmetics came along), but from what I can gather, the main reason a salvage title is issued in a case like this is because the airbags deployed. My car is also immaculate (I doubt this leak is related to the accident, which happened in October last year), and is like a dream car for me. Except for the warranty coverage running out (it's about to run out anyway, so it's no big deal), I'm worried about NOTHING on this car. I took it to a mechanic and had it checked out, and he said he couldn't tell it had been in an accident.

It's a 1998 SE 5sp I bought with 31,000 miles for $11,700.
Knock on wood...

 

Maxwell,
so let me get this straight, when you purchased the car, it was used? but was this before or after the airbags deployed after the accident? And just curious, on your title, does it say "savlage title?"
Regarding your warranty--when you have brought it into Nissan for services, have they honored your warranty so far or not?

 

I bought the car used, after it had been in the accident, and with a reconstructed title. It says "RECONSTRUCTED" right at the top -- sorry, I should have made that clear before instead of calling it salvage, not that I really know the difference.
When I asked about the warranty, they ran my VIN and found that some of the warranty was void, and some was not. Sorry, I can't remember which was which, but it seemed like anything affected by the accident was void, like engine, whereas other stuff was ok, like perforation warranty, and even powertrain. Not 100% on that though.

So does my oil leak sound familiar to anyone?

 

Put some dye in the engine and pull out the ultraviolet light.

 

interesting Maxwell...
so your title says "reconstructed" huh? and the warranties for some parts are void? hmmm...well in your case, you probably have to pay a good sum if it is an easily traced oil leak. If your engine was clean (washed) and you see it appearing again...then you have isolated the area of the leak. But because where the belts are located, it spews and splatters oil all over the place that it is hard to find the origin.

Question--what is the texture and color of the oil? is it motor oil, steering? etc?

 

Oh, it's definitely motor oil.