Maverick4189

iTrader: (7)

So here is my problem, I was losing quite a bit of oil about 1.5 qrt per 1000 miles and I could not seem to find a issue. No spots in the garage or anything. So this weekend I decided to change my oil being that time and all, and as soon as I crawl under I see the problem. There is oil from my cat to pan about 2 feet wide strip, apon further investigation the filter was tight and it didn't appear to be leaking there, checked the drain plug to find it snug as well. It appeared to be the gasket on the pan, I dropped the pan to find it was quite poor shape (looks like silicone? Some type of white rubber stuff anyway) so I scraped an cleaned it and purchased a new rubber one from the parts house. Installed it with the gasket grease as directed and redid the oil. Let it run for about a hour and it held fine no leak. I thought I fixed the issue, but today after about 150 miles now it's down .5 qrt and the leak is back still appears to be the pan. Checked all my bolts and they are tight but oil is back on everything. Where should I look now? The oil that's leaking is not black like before it's new. So I know I am leaking somewhere, I just can't find it anywhere. The floor of my garage is still dry *puzzled* any help?

03VQMAX

iTrader: (46)

These oil pans do NOT use a gasket, they use a gasket maker aka Permatex ultra gray, but any who, could be valve covers or anywhere on the timing cover.

nishfish871

iTrader: (5)

Include Upper oil pan with that. The rear valve cover would be a good start, buy a 6th gen cover and gasket and replace it.

Maverick4189

iTrader: (7)

Valve covers were done with 6th gens about 6 months ago. It is for sure coming from the pan area, so your telling me that what I scraped off was a gasket maker? If that's the case when I called the parts store no one mentioned that I thought maybe it was a factory thing. Could you please explain the gasket maker to me? I just let it run for 1 hour at my shop and had 3 drops on the floor it looks like the corner of the pan. Maybe since I have a gasket on there instead this could be the issue?

Augustus Maximus

iTrader: (6)

Gasket maker.
The VQ35DE have an upper and a lower oil pan, seal them both and while you're at it replace the rear main seal . A gasket goes behind the oil seal retainer and U gasket goes around it. Consult the FSM if you are unsure. Don't rely on generic info from Autozone etc.

Maverick4189

iTrader: (7)

Thank you for that info. Gonna have to find a how to on this and read it all. *facepalm* dummy me. Thanks guys

03VQMAX

iTrader: (46)

Yes what you scraped off was the gasket maker, but you had to redo, I just did mine 2 weeks ago, it takes longer to scrape the gasket maker off than to do the whole job .

Maverick4189

iTrader: (7)

I feel like an idiot..sigh that's what I get for trying to rush. Is it common for the upper and rear main to be leaking? It seems like alot of tearing apart if I can see where it is leaking from.

Maverick4189

iTrader: (7)

Found it! Oil cooler O-Ring is leaking, time for a trip to the dealer

03VQMAX

iTrader: (46)

Damn you too??!! Give me the part number when you find it, I couldn't find it anywhere, I just sealed that SOB up with sealant!

Maverick4189

iTrader: (7)

Really?? I called te dealer and it's $8 for the part. Will post up a number today when I go pick it up.

03VQMAX

iTrader: (46)

Yes I'm serious and thanks.

Maverick4189

iTrader: (7)

Here it is. $6.87 at the dealer and it's a stocked item

03VQMAX

iTrader: (46)

Great thanks!