Upper Oil Pan or Rear Main Leak - 2004 Maxima
 

I have a 2004 Maxima 5sp auto that had a minor oil leak (1 drip overnight) between the tranny and engine, drips right off the cranksensor bracket, for a couple of years. Recently, the leak has got progressively worse (5 drips overnight). Not sure if it has anything to do with the fact that I recently replaced motor mounts and during that process I applied some jack pressure underneath the oil pan (using wood blocks) and I am wondering if that put some pressure on weakening rear half moon seal causing it to leak.

My plan is to tear down the upper oil pan and I hope once the pan is down I can visually ID for sure whether the leak is from the half moon or the RMS.

1) Does anyone know if it is possible to determine the difference between an upper oil pan seal leak and a RMS leak once the upper pan is removed? Are these seals physically far enough apart and visible to determine which is leaking?

2) I've searched the forum and couldn't find any detailed info on Upper Oil Pan Removal or RMS replacement. I do have the factory manuals but I would greatly appreciate any lessons learned from those who have done either of these repairs.

Any advice is welcomed and appreciated.

Did you find the cause of the slow oil leak?

I also have an 04 5 speed auto maxima with 138k with an oil leak which appears to be coming from the upper oil pan. Anyone done this job before? Should I replace pan or just seal? I have been topping off the oil level every few weeks ever since I purchased the car at 67k 😩

Take a look of the leak from underneath the car on this video I posted:
https://youtu.be/OO7s_9WvqWg