Jim Grant's Tech Tips
95
Nissan Quest, Oil Leak
Q: We have a ‘95 Quest with 85k on it that
has developed an oil leak. You can smell this oil leak as it is burning
on the exhaust manifold. I did remove the plastic shields from the underside
and I do see that oil is leaking on the lower part of the studs of the
exhaust manifold where it attaches to the engine. I have a mechanic friend
coming to take a closer look, he thinks the leak is from the valve cover
gaskets up above, but I see no wet path from there. Any thoughts on this?...
thanks -Chris
A: I’m
right there with your friend on the valve covers being the cause for your
oil leak. The valve cover gaskets on your vehicle’s engine are made out
a of rubber-like compound. The gasket will harden and shrink with age,
which explains why these gaskets are a common service item. Let your friend
get to work and repair that oil leak and hope it’s the valve cover gaskets.
The next area for a possible cause is not so easy to work on! Oil leaking
on a hot exhaust manifold is a fire hazard that cannot be ignored.
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