Hello, I have a 99 GXE, and as the title says, my Maxima dumped all of its oil over a few seconds to a few minutes. It was back in June, and it was one of the hottest days of the year when I came home and parked it. A few minutes later, I noticed a puddle underneath the car. I pull the car back to check what it is, and it's completely clear, making me believe that it's water or something at first, until I look closer and realize it's oil. I've had the car parked since then and have recently been researching what it could be. The only thing I've found is that it could be an issue with the Oil Pressure Sensor, as that causes all the oil to drain quickly when it fails. I was just asking for second opinions and thoughts on what it could be and how to fix it since I haven't found much at all online on replacing the Oil Pressure Sensor on a VQ30DE. I've searched the forum and couldn't find anything, so if I've missed it, I'd appreciate it if I could be directed to the threads or any other sources. Thank you.

 

Wipe and clean under the car, perform a visual inspection for signs of physical damage. (Damaged oil pan, loose oil filter, hole in the block).

Fill oil to the correct level, drive the car for a while and then check for leaks. Address any significant issues. Welcome to the Maxima forums!

 

Before you posted this thread, you should have gotten under the car and performed a quick visual inspection. Could be as something as easy the oil drain pan bolt came loose or is missing. If nothing was obvious, ask a friend or neighbor to pour some oil into the car while you're underneath and looking for the source of the leak.

Get under your car and report back your findings!

 

It would probably be easy to also check the oil dipstick, as well as all the other fluid reservoirs, in case you are mistaken with what the fluid may be. Maybe check coolant level as well.
With a description of being "completely clear", I am kind of thinking it may not be oil unless an oil change was just done.

 

An oil change was actually just done right before that, and it barely picked up miles before this. Less than 100 for sure. I also forgot to mention this in the original post but the oil temperature started rising extremely rapidly as I moved the car.

 

Yeah, the main issue is I don't have a Jack or Jackstands, and I'm working on getting a job that I can balance with my schedule (I'm a first-year college student.) The biggest issue on top of this is that my dad wants to sell the car (It's his), but I want to keep it, wrench on it, and learn about the car more as it has lots of value to me, and I genuinely love the thing. As soon as I can manage to convince my dad to keep the car, I'm doing the things people are advising me to do in this thread. Thanks for the info!

 

how were you monitoring oil temp?

 

My guess is that they meant the engine temp via gauge cluster?

You could probably use the old "drive it up the curb side" method if you want access to under the car maybe.

 

Surely you have friends or family with jack stands and a jack that can lend a helping hand. Get under the car and look at check to make sure that the oil filter is nice and snug and oil drain bolt is tight.

 

Yeah I have a friend with a jack and jackstands, but we're in the process of fixing his mercedes, and the car is sitting on the jacks, so I'm either gonna wait for him to be home from college to finish up the car or just roll it up on the curb. Thanks for the advice, I really appreciate it.

 

I meant engine temp via the gauge cluster, sorry.

 

Hi, I'm the friend with the broken Mercedes.
The jacks are borrowed from another friend lol.
But yeah, I have a lot more experience with cars and plan to help Nesquik with his Maxima.
I was doing some research on the VQ30DE and ended up talking to boredmder on YouTube and found out that the oil pressure switch can fail and lead to what Nesquik is experiencing.
If the oil leak isn't from the drain bolt or the filter, what other common failure points are there?

 

oil pressure switch or upper oil pan end seals.

nothing else is common. if its literally pumping out while running itll be the switch. end seals leak as itll essentially be a hole but its not pressurized so itll just dribble out. hate to say it but when it comes to oil leaks you have to be eyes on. on a 30de theres no smoking gun common cause.