The only ways I know a car is leaking oil are:

1) Most obvious...oil under the car
2) Oil burnoff on motor...
3) Smoking from exhaust
4) Leaking SO much that there's no smoke at all, no oil under the car, no oil burnoff...

But, how does it leak, and it be so un-detectable? Yea that's what the oil light is for, but when DOES the oil light come on? How much has been lost once it's on? If a motor seizes due to oil loss, what is damaged?

My oil light has been flickering (flashing really) for a day or 2...checked dip stick, level was a LITTLE bit low. I added 1/2 a quart, and the light is off now. Do the oil pressure sensors f*ck up easy? Is that a notorious 4th gen issue? Or...the oil pump, I havent seen much on oil pump issues...

 

The oil light has nothing to do with oil level, it's oil pressure.

Oil pressure sending unit usually goes out, costs 5 bucks and 5 minutes to replace.

 

If your oil level gets so low that it is below the pickup tube, then your oil pressure light will most certainly go on.

 

Hmm, but I dont think I was THAT low. So, I'll disregard that fact.

The oil pressure switch OR sending unit is a $5 part?

 

The fact that your oil light is flickering is disturbing. Hopefully it's only the sensor (actually, it's a pressure switch).

If the sensor is not malfunctioning and you have the oil light flickering, it means that your oil pressure is REALLY low (~5-10psi I think?), and your engine is at risk of permanent damage, especially if you drive it hard under those conditions.

 

dude, i can almost guarantee that if it was something as simple as the oil pressure sending unit that it would have been taken care of by now. Is there burnt oil residue on your bumper? Why did that guy sell you his car again? he was moving or something?

Bruce

 

just check the sending unit. they're common to go out and they're cheap and easy to replace.

 

Look around in your engine bay, If you see a sticky black or any color residue then You got a leak, i didnt think oil leaks are common wth maximas

 

Ni Nos - I know what a leak looks like...

But I think it's more complicated than the oil sending unit. I think its serious like the oil pump bearing is wearing out....

 

Oil leaks are pretty common on my car and I beg to differ on anyone who says they are not. I've known maybe a dozen Maximas with an oil leak from the rear valve cover. The problem is the oil tends to leak down the back of the engine from around the power steering pump area and down to the oil pan where the pressure sending unit is.. so most people assume its either the oil pan or oil pressure sending unit thats bad when they see oil when its probably not. I learned the hard way and right now I just ordered the valve cover and intake manifold gaskets.. and knock sensor to do all at once. This should be fun in the cold.

Soul Fly, sometimes if your burning even the littlest of oil it wont really show in your exhaust

 

Mine is leaking through the rear center spark plug chamber. Undetected until I replaced the spark plugs. Rear valve gasket and spark plug chamber seals are on order.

Pedro

 

1) correct
2) correct
3) correct
4) incorrect
-A substantail oil lose will always be detectable.
-As stated Nissan oil lights usually come on 5-7 psi of oil pressure
-Once the Nissan oil light is on you usually have only 1.5 qt of oil in your crankcase, that's considering your oil light switch and pump is working correctly
-When a motor sieze due to lack of oil it's usually the crank shaft bearings that caused it to sieze
-No, the oil pressure sensor (switch) doesn't mess up that easily
-Yes, the 4th gens are notorious for failing oil pressure switch
-No, your oil pump is probably fine

If you're also wondering how is it possible you can be 1/2 qt low and not notice any signs of leakage or blue smoke out the exhaust, it's a known fact that engines will burn oil, some more than others. Manufactures even gives you an amount that's acceptable when it comes to how much oil that engine burning oil under certain situations.

Now if you just changed your oil last week and you're a 1/2 qt low today there's a problem, but if you're within your next oil change interval and you're a 1/2 qt low I wouldn't worry about it.

MIKE

 

fawk....

Ok, well lemme ask you this, if 5-7 PSI is when the oil light comes ON, whats normal oil pressure? 10-13 psi?

 

Since I don't have my manual in front of my I can't give you exact numbers, also keep in mind oil pressure will be dependant on rpm. Your 10-13 psi does sound about accurate for idle speed, and if I had to take a guess it should be about 40-50 psi at 3500 rpm.

 

manual as in FSM or haynes? or would either one have the info

 

Yes, either one should have that info