Engine oil leak right side(if looking from the front)

[Clairvoyant]

Hi all,

 

I'm new here so hello everyone 😊. I bought a 350Z not too long ago and I found out it's leaking engine oil.

I am at a complete loss. I am hoping you guys and gals can help me.

 

For reference the oil leak is 0.5litres every 1-3 hours of driving (a few dozen miles)

 

Here are some details in chronological order:

 

- At first I thought that the leak was coming from the back of the engine.

 

- I put in oil dye, drove around a bit and couldn't find much, until I found a patch of fresh dyed oil from the back right corner (looking at it from the front) right underneath the valve cover.

 

- I changed the valve cover gasket on that side, added RTV to the front only as per FSM. I checked the spark plug cylinders and they looked clean. All ignition coils were dry.

 

- Oil leak still present.

 

- I struggled a bit but managed to get a pretty good look at the back of the engine from above and it's all dry; nothing on the top of the transmission at all.

 

- I put the front on jackstands today and looked from underneath. Everything on the right side was drenched in oil, from the roll bar up front to the brace in the back. This included, AC compressor  steering rack, AC pipes, coolant pipes, exhaust manifold (lower part), starter motor (absolutely drenched), subframe... the whole lot.

- I cleaned off as much as I could then ran the engine for a few minutes (with the front still up in the air) and a few drops appeared.

- Looking up from where the drops were, I could see the sky (open bonnet).... so I looked from above and it was still a pretty straight shot from the sky lol. The closest thing was the exhaust manifold shroud which appeared to be wet, but couldn't verify (hot surface).

- I was afraid it would be the rear main seal but I don't think it is as it's not coming from the back.

 

Attached are some pics I took from underneath, please note that the pics are in reverse chronological order. All taken today.

 

Any help or suggestions are much appreciated. I'm at a loss.

 

P.S: I can't drench the whole engine in brake cleaner as I'm working just off the street, unless you can advise on how to prevent leakage.

Edited April 30, 2023 by Clairvoyant
Clarification on pics order

[davey_83]

I would take the car to you local BP station where they normally have a coin operated jet wash and get what you can off. Silly question, is the dip stick all the way in? 

[Clairvoyant]

Hi Davey,

 

Yes, the dipstick is all the way in. I did find quite a bit of fresh oil underneath it though. Nothing on top and nothing seen while running the engine.

 

There are quite a few electrical plugs around. Isn't it dangerous to fire a jetwash spray in the engine bay?

 

 

[mr v6]

Is it just my screen, or in 2 of the pictures of the lower brace, it seems to be covered in green coolant? Definitely an oil leak though. Wash off as David has suggested.

[Clairvoyant]

Hi Mr V6,

 

It's the oil dye that makes it look green. My coolant is red.

 

Thanks for the reply

[Clairvoyant]

For anyone that stumbles upon this in the future:

The issue was a worn out valve cover gasket. Replaced that and it's been fine ever since. Make sure you get the gasket and the silicone gasket maker for the corners.

Also, as davey_83 said, make sure the dipstick is all the way in.

[davey_83]

Nice work 👍