I'm going to replace my oil pressure sending unit b/c that's leaking, but I suspect there might be another leak coming from above there....maybe the front oil seal. I need to get a better look.

I'm curious what are some of the common spots for oil leaks in our Maximas. What have you guys replaced to stop oil leaks in your Maxima.

 

I've heard people say that the rear main seal has a tendancy to go. I've also heard some people (more of the 5th gen guys, but it's the same motor) say that the rear valve cover seals tend to go. However, my car's never leaked anything, so I can't give you personal experience.

 

Front and Rear Main, Rear Valve Cover, and the Oil Pressure Sending Unit.

I replaced the Valve Cover Gaskets, and the Plenum Gasket while I was there. The Oil Pressure Sending Unit was easy to replace. As for the front and rear mains, I just did a VQ35 swap to fix those. No more leaks.

 

I have a 5-speed tranny with a leaky left tranny seal, which I think may be relatively common.

 

also the power steering line on the power steering pumps leaks on almost all maxima's

 

Interesting, I've never heard of that. Is there a specific year known for this (i.e., '99s and bad coil packs, '97s and bad alternators, '95s and worn timing chain guides, etc)?

 

i have a 96 max and a friend of mine also had a 96 and they both leaked and i know anyother guy who deals with maxima's and every single one he has leaked its the banjo fitting

 

Mine did the same thing. I had to replace both the high pressure and low pressure lines. However this problem didnt happen till around 200,000 miles.

 

How many 97 maximas/i30s have an oil leak from the rear timing cover? One mechanic I went to looked at it (didn't charge me anything to look) and claimed that it was the rear timing cover that was leaking and that they weren't going to be able to fix it. I asked the dealer service department what they would charge, but didn't let them look at it, and they said they would charge about $1000 to fix it and change water pump and pretty much everything they can get to while in there that would cost a fortune later. I thought about it, and I just don't think that it could be the rear timing cover since I can see seepage around the water pump cover and of course there is oil all around the oil pressure sender. Though that could be power steering fluid too. Anyways, according to the TSBs, I think the timing cover leak was primarily on 95-96 maximas/i30s, so I can't see how mine is having that problem.

Thanks

 

I read that it's usually not the timing cover that leaks but the crankshaft pulley seal. I think this is not as expensive of a job. Anyone have experience with a leaky crankshaft pulley seal? I suspect that's where my car is leaking from aside from the oil pressure sending unit.

 

For all I know, mine could just be leaking around the water pump inspection plate. It does look like seepage in that area and not like oil splashed up there from the belts or off of the road. The thing is, I would expect the shop (pretty reputable from people I know) that I took it to would have seen if it was something that easy to get to. The fact that they said they couldn't do the repair told me that they weren't milking me for money. That and the fact that they didn't even charge me anything to look at it. Although, that could be because they didn't look at it very closely, but I don't know.

 

I had a rear main seal leak in my 96 max. Ended up costing $600.

 

i have a 95 se and i had to replace all the power steering lines a month after i bought it(used)