I just got the diagnosis for my Max's oil leak: "Oil leaking from front engine cover, oil pressure switch. $1900- Includes water pump, and timing chain tensioner. Slight sepage from rear main. Also, additional $725 if done at same time as cover."
Wow I really don't feel like spending that much for a leak that's very minor. I've been losing very little oil through it all. Here are my options I believe:
1) Pay the Nissan stealership to have this taken care of. Ah no thanks...
2) Replace the oil pressure switch. This would be a lot cheaper. Not sure how much though. Also not sure of how much of the problem it would fix
3) Periodically check oil dipstick and continue to add in more oil...not sure how often I would do this. I could also get a bottle of that stuff at Autozone that says it stops oil leaks (not sure if it's a gimmick or how safe it is for the engine.) The leak seems to drip very little so a bottle of that stuff may do the trick if holds any merit.
Oh BTW my car has 123K miles on it.
YOUR OPINIONS?

 

1) I am assuming $19000 is a typo
2) Oil pressure switch is 5 mins to replace (once the car is off the ground and wheel is off) - will cost you 10-15 bucks for the switch.
3) Whats your mileage? - might be better to get a newer engine put in if you are at high miles.

good luck.

 

Um holy cripity crap man. Switch the oil pressure switch. Common oil leak problem. I swear dealers are the biggest crooks out there.

 

Buy a used junk yard motor FOr about $500 and another $500 to install and your golden you may even get one with very low milage. until then just add oil until it blows.

 

Haha yeah ok...

 

Actually i can get $75 VQ30's all day long and yeah have it installed for $500-600.
Vq 30's are worthless to junk yards . A low milage 00-01 can be had for $300-$500

 

C'mon can we please get back to the subject? This is very important

 

Change the oil pressure switch yourself. Its no harder than taking the drain plug out of the oil pan. See link

http://www.motorvate.ca/mvp.php/514

As for the rest. Try switching to the Valvoline High Mileage Oil (I think its Valvoline. Comes in a red bottle marked high mileage or something). I have a leak on my rear main too, but after using this oil (available at autozone, etc.) it seems to not leak as much.

My .02

Dub

 

Replace oil sender as mentioned...AND DONT EVER GET ANYTHING DONE AT THE DEALER !!!!!


I have a 96 with 151k still running strong, no leaks have been using castrol gtx every 3k.

 

More reasons why I say the dealer is BSing me completely:
1) The diagnosis was made in literally half an hour (or less)
2) It leaks VERY, VERY little
3) How the hell do they mention leaks in a FEW different areas? So all of a sudden three different things coincidentally burst?

We'll we're going for a 2nd opinion somewhere else on Thursday...

 

If I were in your shoes I would replace the Oil Pressure Switch yourself and then I would go ahead and Auto-Rx the engine. Auto-RX Website This stuff is highly regarded for engine leaks. It is a tedious process of running it for 1000 miles and the draining and filling with "DINO" oil to get the seals back to normal. They recommend doing the process twice on a motor over 100k. I would consider going this route. I have read some wonderful stories about the product on Bob Is The Oil Guy

 

Interesting: http://www.bobistheoilguy.com/images/lucas/lucas.htm