I have a slight smell of antifreeze coming from under the hood and also have some dampness at the gasket area where the intake manifold bolts on. I have just under 98,000 miles on the car and have had no other engine trouble. Aside from the smell and the slight oil, there is no other problems to my knowledge. I get great gas milage. Oh, this is something that was not there say one day, and I noticed it the next. I'm always under the hood, if for nothing other then to look. I can't tell that the car is low on fluid nor can I find any visible leaks. This happened after I let the car sit for a couple of weeks without driving it. I do start it up and let it reach operating temp about three times a week.

Anyone know if the two are related and if it is a serious problem. I've heard some on here mention the head gaskets needed changed. I once changed my spark plugs and found oil on the treads of one of the back ones. Funny thing is though, the next time I changed them, it was dry. Any thoughts would be appreciated...Thanks

 

98,000 miles is not a lot, I just changed my water pump @ 225,000 miles after the leak got really bad. I'd say to keep an eye on it and check the level of coolant after the car has cooled overnight. Do this by opening the radiator cap and peeking inside, not the overflow reservoir. You should see coolant up to the top, if not, you're losing liquid.
As for the oily residue on the intake, I have the same thing, just the gasket weeping a little. My mechanic told me to leave it as is, it's a big job to change it.
BTW.this is not the head gasket , that's between the heads & the block. Actually not too many people here have complained of head gasket issues on this engine, that's more of a GM/Chrysler issue

 

Yeah I thought the head should be a little lower then what I was looking at. So it could be a water pump? I'll check the coolant level the when I get home. I think my Max is jealous of me driving the truck I bought a couple of months ago. I spent the first half of this year getting my Max in shape and now I'm doing the same to the truck. I think our cars like to be driven instead of parked....haha

 

Well I can see the coolant dripping on the ground now. I still have not driven the car since I first posted this. There was a puddle about as wide around as a CD. That would have collected since I moved it Sunday..3 days ago.

This weekend I will jack it up and find out exactly where it's coming from. If it is the water pump, how difficult is it to replace or how much would it cost to have fixed at a shop or dealer?

 

80 for the part, and about 150 for labor.. . .

 

Thanks man

 

www.pinnaclenissan.com for the part, and find a good local shop, NOT the dealer.