I want to check the bearings on a ~170k mile 2011 Maxima. Filter wasn't crazy, it had some magnetic particles in it though. And I am not sure if there is a huge leak coming from the oil pan or if it is the front and rear covers. See the following photos with leaks coming from the ends of the engine:





Is this from the cover seal or is it from the upper pan? same question for the rear


I also want to do the timing chain on it.

Should I remove the engine? Seems like a pain in the **** but so does doing everything in-car.

 

Am guessing the axle seal.

Sid you spray down w brake cleaner then check for the leak spot?

 

No, as you can see, the entire engine bay was one huge leak.

 

When my rear valve cover was leaking, I snuck my hand to the firewall and swipe the rear valve cover area.
Hand was greasy enough to know it was the rear VCG needing replacement.

dis you try this?

 

The backside of the engine is relatively dry.

 

The front of the VCG?

I did surgery on all these to just recently did the oil pan.

before the oil pan, I did also the seal by the oil filter.

with the oil pan anything above this area was dry to rule out which of the two (pan or seal)

my approach would be two cans of brake cleaner and go spraying. Drive 10 or so miles then check.

 

Engine is almost out already, lol.

 

Well the guts out, so go into surgery mode and repl (All) them gaskets and seals.

 

The front seal looks like the culprit on that part of the engine. Replace it, clean it up, run it and find the other leak(s).