WelcomeToCostco

~160K miles on the 3.0L and the oil is dripping out between the engine and trans at a rate of a few mL/day. I heard that it usually is the rear upper oil pan half moons vs the rear main seal that usually goes. I've been considering just dropping the engine and trans and replacing all the seals, water pump and timing chains and tensioners since it's 20 years old. Maybe install headers at this time? I have a lift so dropping it all is easy. I have already replaced the intake and valve cover gaskets years ago. Compression test looks great and there is hardly any valve train noise. Anything else to look at while they are out and easy to get to?

Child_uv_KoRn

iTrader: (7)

I would say pour in a bottle of AT 205, but it's OOS until some next year, b/c shortages.

I wouldn't replace anything unless you really just want to fix the leak. There's no reason to touch water pump or chains.

JSutter

iTrader: (46)

To replace the half moon seals correctly the upper oil pan has to be removed. Pulling the engine would make it all so much easier giving much better access to everything. Installing headers in the car is also a huge PITA.

I just did the water pump on my truck. At 160k there was significant corrosion around the O ring seals. It was only a matter of time before it was going to leak out the weep hole.

Check various hoses, both vacuum and coolant. Check the oil pressure sensor. Change the thermostat. Check the power steering and tie rods.

Child_uv_KoRn

iTrader: (7)

DE-K was at 260K before sister totaled it a second time and never touched anything except VSS, VC gaskets, plugs, starter, and rear calipers. 10k mi OCI with syn 40 weight and pure one filter.

Headers aren't bad...without rust.

I have several nissans and never did water pumps and nothing leaks (multiple 200k ones too).

uptownsamcv

doing the oil pan isn't too hard, a little trick I did was to tie the A/C compressor to the side and use some headless bolts screwed into the block to help with upper pan alignment and prep the area that will be siliconed really well! I use rubbing alcohol and clean rags.

as for the headers people exaggerate about how hard it is to do it. here is a link to my thread on tips to make it easy. I installed 4th gen exhaust manifolds and Warpspeed Y on my 2002 and the install wasn't bad at all.

https://maxima.org/forums/5th-genera...ated-info.html

JSutter

iTrader: (46)

Well sure, leave it alone if it ain't broke is great advice and plenty of us can also say these engines are reliable. But when you are fixing something and decide to do a bit more work while in there it can be money well spent. I have seen plenty of failed parts because I was fixing something else. Maybe I'm just unlucky getting a can of worms almost every time. I can't remember whose water pump leaked in my family, probably my dads old 96. **** happens.


Headers on a 02-03 are easier than a 3.0.

uptownsamcv

what makes it harder on the 3.0? EGR?

WelcomeToCostco

The suspension, calipers, rotors, wheel bearings and tie rods were all replaced when we redid the whole body (rockers, fenders, wheel arches and fresh paint).

WelcomeToCostco

2001 with 3.0 has no EGR. I think it was only on the 2000.

WelcomeToCostco

I'll be fabbing the headers myself. I did find these on ebay https://www.ebay.com/itm/164072118985