There have been a few small posts regarding this issue and I know that at least 4 or 5 members have discovered it. The leak is VERY slow and will NOT even drip to the ground. It seems that it runs along the underbody of the car and never really drips. This is why I am not sure if many more people have it and just have not noticed. If you feel 'up to it' do one of two things:

#1 - if you have a way to lift your car (jack or ramps), there is a small 2" x 2" hole in the driver side rear of your belly pan. If you climb under, you can look up through that hole and see your AC compressor. Reach your left hand around the side of the belly pan and touch both bolts of the compressor and see if you have a drip of oil. Also, reach your finger up into that hole and feel if you feel oily residue. If either of these exist then you have the leak.

#2 - If you don't have a way to lift you car, find the 2" x 2" hole at the driver side rear of the belly pan and reach your arm under and stick your finger up in the hole. See if you feel an oily residue.

If you are willing to check your car, PLEASE respond with a Yes, I have it, or NO I don't .

Thanks!
Jeff

PS - I currently have a dye in my oil so they can pinpoint the leak (even though other people have already done this and figured out it was the valve cover). If many people discover it, then maybe a technical service bulletin will come out.

 

Good call, Jeff! I appreciate you taking the time to post all that. I'll check my car as soon as I get the chance.

By the way, how many miles are on your car? At what mileage did you notice the leak? Did you notice any change in oil level at the dipstick or any change in oil pressure on the gauge over time?

Thanks again, Jeff. I hope people do post, if they find leaks. It may definitely be a TSB issue...

-Jon

 

My car is about 5 months old, but only has 1000 miles on it. I first noticed the leak when I changed my oil about 1 month ago. It really is almost unnoticable if you don't do the things I say (I am guessing that a lot of people have it, but just have not noticed yet since it doesn't actually drip to the ground).

 

Just bringing this one back since I have seen many other threads about oil leaks popping up.

 

I have the leak!!

I am actually furious since I only had 170 miles on the car!! It is a VERY noticeable leak. Actually, what caught my attention was that smoke was coming out the car from the burnt oil!!!!

When I stopped to look, there is a consistent drip coming down from the oil pan area. I left it with the dealer will hear the results with a few hours....

I can't believe this, finally I get the car, it's taken away from me after only 12 hours.

 

I assume you're talking about the 2"x2" square hole in the back of the belly pan. I just checked (didn't ramp it), and I DO NOT have the leak. I have noticed on occasion what seems to be something burning, smells like oil, but haven't been able to find anything. Still hunting.

Vin: 6616
Miles: 3900
6sp Touring

 

I have the leak and the dealer replaced the left valve cover gasket once and the leak is back. Parts on order for the 2ed replacement. Discovered leak about 3000 miles now have 4900.

 

I have the leak, when looking from the front it is on the right hand side (driver's) valve cover, they were going to replace the gasket but Nissan told them to replace the cover as well so I am waiting ona cover to come in.

I am getting so tired of all of these little things. I bought Nissan because I assumed these little things wouldn't happen, my Pontiac has had less visits to the dealer!!

 

My dealer told me that the leak was soooo slight that they didn't want to fix it until they found exactly where it was coming from. They put a dye in the oil and now we wait... luckily I have a blacklight and can veryify it before bringing it back in to them... it really is amazing how that stuff shows up under the blacklight...
It seems to me that a TSB should be issued on this.

How can we 'ask' for one?

 

The leak is so slight they can't find where it is coming from??? I would understand if the engine was 10 years old and the compartment was filthy but they should be able to find where it is coming from, a clue is where there is oil.

 

Actually, in this case, I agree with them. The oil is basically so clear (and it is not like it is dripping while they watch) that you really cannot see it (you can only see where it has gathered in the 'drip'). All you can do is feel around for the residue... which works OK, but spreads out so quickly, that it is still difficult to find. Also, there is soooo much in the way, they just would rather not tear the engine apart if they can pinpoint it this way.

Since I am the first person at this dealership to complain, I would rather them pinpoint it than start pulling things apart.

It really is amazing how it stands out under the light

 

noticed my driver side valve cover was leaking too. it's very minor but i think it's been there for awhile. i didn't mention it to the dealer when my car was in for another problem and he pointed it out too. the list of problems seems to never stop! i have 12,000 miles.

 

I think the leak is coming from the dip stick. Went Thurs. to have them replace for the 2ed time the left valve cover gasket. What they found was oil trail from the dip stick area. I've always had excessive pressure during cold months and I have believed that the oil is push out past the dip stick seal if it's not pushed in securely. They didn't replace the gasket but are checking with NNa if there are others who have reported the same.

 

Well, my leak seems to have slowed down even more (if that is possible). I am wondering if it is possible that the oil was a little overfilled and that is what caused it to leak (I have removed a little oil and the leak seemed to stop). I am going to climb under my car one of these nights with my blacklight and look try to discover the source (I have the dye in my oil). I am pretty sure it is not the dipstick however as there is no evidence of oil there.
I will keep you all posted...

 

I know I'm bringing this back from completely dead, but I just noticed this problem today on my car...anyone else?? I plan to take it to the dealer sometime next week.

 

can someone post a picture of exactly where to look? kind of hard to picture it. thanks guys

 

It's not something that's easy to get a camera pointed at without removing numerous items around it. Do you know where the valve covers are located?

 

yes i do

 

ok...then look preferable from the bottom of the carback by the tras up towards the valve cover area, and where the black valve cover meets the silver head is where mine is leaking from..the gasket looks wet with oil and there is a slight "almost drip".

 

I believe the test car for Car & Driver had this same problem.