Nissan Patrol 4x4 (Africa)

For a good few years the Iron Maiden has had a bit of an oil leak. Nothing major or anything that I have been concerned about, but in a few months time, I want to try rectify this as I don't particularly like seeing my Iron Maiden with oil leaks.

Here are some pics of where it is sweating/leaking from...

Cedric my boet, I'm afraid it's all over!

The only way to solve that leak is to sell the maiden to me...

For you brother... a special deal.... R250 000. cash

Not an easy leak to fix Cedric. It looks to me like its between that plate and the alluminium timing cover. You will have to strip off everything.....

Hmmmm.... That's what I was thinking too, but before stripping the whole front end off to get to that damn flat plate, I was pondering if it was just a case of the gasket leaking or if there was anything else that could have caused excessive oil there. I assume ( can't quite recall from memory as it was a long time ago ) that there is an oil feed (squirter) that throws a little oil onto the timing gears. There should be no pressure in this cavity ( where the timing gears run ) as there is no sump compression, so how is the oil coming out there. and why....?

gears are splashing oil all over the inside which I think gets pressured through the idler gear shaft ..but goodluck with that problem

Yep, there is no oil squirter. The oil just runs from one gear to another and remember they turn at quite a speed so it can throw the oil to the outside quite vilolantly.

If I am not mistaken, the timing cover only uses silicone/gasket maker to seal on that plate.......and it was not an easy task bolting everything on before the silicone dries

Yeah, I remember trying to get the old shhhhhhhhhh.... stuff off.....hahahaha

Brett also mentioned to me to check that the bolts are still tight. The gasket could have settled a fraction and it may just need something simple like re torquing the bolts ( easier to try this first before stripping the whole front end of the Patrol ) If that doesn't work then I've lost nothing really

My only gripe will be that I just recently replaced all the coolant fluid in my Patrol...... 6L of expensive antifreeze/coolant that is mixed into the 7L of water is going to hurt my feelings a little.... hahaha. I'll have to make a plan to get the coolant out with minimal loss of fluid and dirt particles contaminating the coolant collected.

HEHE, my 2.7 has a water leak just above where your oil leak is, also between that exact same plate and and engine block. Was also told its just about a total strip down to get that sorted. I just keep the over flow bottle kept well full and watch for water laying on the ground for the day that thing decides to let go all together.

Thats a bugger you got going there. I was terrified of inducing that exact leak when I had my diesel pump off the other day. Your diesel pump hangs on that plate. I am always scared of disturbing something.

Looks like you are just going to have to clean that engine more, although that is rich coming from me... I've just given up trying to keep or even get mine clean. No amount of cleaner does it for mine, wire brush works well to get that mud staining off, but looks horrible when you can't get into the tight places. So my entire engine just stays a constant shade of pink/brown

Quick fix on that oil leaks use lots of engine cleaner and pressure hose once a week...excellent results