Hey everyone, I just got some bad news, and want to know what you guys think..

Well, lately my car was leaking oil, and I've taken the car to one shop to another getting the car diagnosed time and time again, almost every mechanic tells me something different...

Well, originally, I took the car to one ship and they told me it was a leaking rear valve cover gasket, so I went out bought the gaskets and changed them myself. Still oil leaking. Afterwards I took the car to another mechanic, they told me it was a leaking oil pan gasket. I didn't do anything about it at the time, and left it as is. Still leaking oil, I took it to another mechanic, and this time, they told me that it was the oil switch, that same time, another mechanic told me that the engine block is cracked and leaking oil. I am so confused as to what the problem is and what the hell to do.

Finally, today I take it to a friends shop, and they tell me that its not the oil pan, not the oil switch/sensor, but instead he says, "the oil is leaking from the plate that's held near the timing chain.". Then he goes on to tell me that I might as well change my timing chain since the rest of the area has to be taken apart, the entire job will cost me $1,500.

Now does any of this sound viable? I do no know what the hell to believe and honestly would rather have another maxima enthusiast take a look at my car, and finally tell me wahts the problem, and possibly hook me up with a good mechanic that can do the job for the lowest possible price.

Please help, also if there are any org'ers in the Queens/New Hyde Park/Floral Park are that can look at my car oil leak or recommend me a shop that they would trust their car with, please help. I do not want to trash my beloved max...

 

The oil switch is notorious for leaking on the 4th gen ... CHECK IT OUT FOR YOURSELF.

The part is like 5 bucks + 7 buck deep socket. See if it's leaking from there.

Good luck.

 

i have a mechanic right across the street from my house and he never bullsh*ts me at all. I'm like 45 minutes from the city. I'm by newbrunswick. Oh, if you want ppl to look at your car, why don't you come to the Johnson Park meet??? i'm sure a lot of people will know most likely what is going on. Or at least someone will knwo a good mechanic. My mechanic doesn't really change anything i don't need. I've dealt with him for about 4 years. I've been dealing with him before i startd to drive cause my parent's english is that well. One day, our ford windstar engine dies. We went to Brooklyn to change it, he was kind of upset. Not at the fact that he didn't do it, but the fact that we didn't let him look at it first. Most of the time he doesn't even charge us to look at the car. But he then told us that ford had a warranty on the engine up to 100,000 miles that most people dont know about. he told us to hassle ford to get some money back. so letters after letters, my brother had sent n called. they finally gave us all the money back. Recently i had a CEL light on. He checked it and said do'nt worry about it. But if it comes back on, then i need to change your front 02 sensor. I drove away paying him $10. -= ). If you want, i will be more then gladly to give you his number. I believe he owns the gas station also. Not so sure. but he's a really good guy and knows what he's doing and won't charge you the wrong shiet. i can give you his number if you want to, pm me and i'll give it to you.

P.S. he's really busy, so you most likely need to make an appointment and need someone to drop you off..

PPS. i brought it to him because it was the 2nd day i bought this car and had no idea that this org existed. Tell you the truth, i still dunno how i found it......

 

you mean the oil pump... thts the only thing behind the timeing chain. i had mine replaced

 

sorry to hear the bad news man. mechanics suck sometimes.

but....since i cant start my own post im just gonna post it here. hope nobody gets mad..

whenever i turn on my rear defrost my radio gets all staticky. just the radio. and not if im listening to a cd. its a bose stereo. could someone tell me wtf is goin on. and how to fix it cuz i really need my rear defrost.

 

We'll be at the Johnson meet. Definitely should come if you can and we can check it out there and possibly correct it. I had a leak in mines also which turned out to be some loose fittings. I really don't think it's that serious to be a $1500 job.

 

on another note, why have your timing hcain replaced if it's supposed to be good for the life of the engine? If it's the gasket or the pump that's one thing but don't go changing out your timing chain needlessly, mine's doing fine with 266k on it and I'm sure you're nowhere near that. Also +1 on checking it yourself, get down there and take a look it's not very hard to follow a trail of oil.

 

I've read that a good mechanic can also do a leakage test to isolate where oil is leaking instead of just visually looking at the engine. I think the tester cost around $75.00 and you can actually DIY. GOOD LUCK!

 

just a thought... http://forums.maxima.org/showpost.ph...5&postcount=10

 

I Just Had My Water Pump Replaced And My Crank Shaft Seal Started To Leak My Guy Which Works At A Nissan Dealer In The Shop They Don't Normally (if That's A Word) Leak If U Want I Can Send U To Him He Will Charge U For Parts And Some Money But Not Nissan Hourly Rate. I Live In Massapequa Where Is Johnson Park

 

As others have said, it may well be the oil pressure sender unit that requires replacing. I had to replace mine about 3 months ago on my 95SE - simple to do and costs peanuts.

 

So chances are it is the oil pressure send unit? Honestly, I did take a look at the oil leak, but because I'm not a trained mechanic, and I've heard so much BS from one mechanic to another, I really don't know what to believe or where the link is coming from. Chances are I will goto the mechanic ImmaSquashYou is talking about, and also goto the Johnson meet, I honestly trust all you guys with my car over any mechanic at the moment, so if someone can help me out over there, I will take their advice over the mechanic.

Also, how easy is it to replace the oil pressure sender unit? If it really is easy to fix, I might as well do it myself and see if I have any luck, right? Or if any locals around here can do it for me, that'd also be great.

I just don't want to spend tons of money on my car, if that is the case, I'm just going to have to trade the car in for something else. Last time I had oil leaks, on my old old old 1985 Audi 5000s, it was a headache. Please help a poor college student make the right decision.

I just want to know, where to check the oil pressure sender unit (where it's located), check for leaks from it, and a quick write up on replacing the unit. Thanks guys.

 

Five minutes is all it took me and that includes lifting the car. It's toward the rear of the oil pan and has an electrical connector in the end.

1. Disconnect electrical connector and hide it somwhwere away from the oil pan (you don't want oil to get inside it)
2. Unscrew pressure sender unit
3. Installation is the opposite.

 

Ok wait, I am almost positive that it isn't leaking from the pressure send unit. The mechanic was showing that to me, and said the leak was coming from above it and was falling ontop of the sender unit. I'm just goin to drive it out, then bring it to the Johnson Meet, and have you guys help me out.

I hope you guys remember this.

 

timing chain cover leaking oil? if anything just replace the tensioner and the guide. and if you havent done the water pump, do it now.

 

I think I had this same problem. It was an o ring up by the oil pump. I'm no mechanic, but from what my mechanic, who I trust, told me it is a pain in the butt job. Involves dropping the oil pan to get to it. It cost me like 1100 to get it done, which hurt, but I dont leak oil anymore, so your friend at the shop is most likely right. My mechanic also said this is a problem with the 4th gen.. anyone else have this problem?

 

Sounds like it's time to throw a 3.5 in there.

 

Go get it checked by Jeff @ Maximum Tuning. He's in Glen Cove, Long Island.
He is a very trusted mechanic. And many people here on the org know him. He will not BS with you. He knows his stuff.
http://maximumtuning.net/