I changed the engine oil today, and noticed the transmission tunnel (just behind the engine oil drain) is covered with oil. Touched it with my finger and sure enough it's greasy. My X is a 2000 V6 4WD Manual 5-speed. I took a picture of it, anyone know where this maybe coming from?



The tranny oil, transfer case oil, and LSD oil were replaced at 90K, and now it's at 134K.

Thanks,

Jim

Possibly a rear main leak (very common on the X - I have changed it twice now) or maybe the oil pan gasket. Check these for starters.

My man dezurtrat is right. Just happened to me about a month or so ago. good luck

Ok, I don't exactly know what a rear main is. Is it hard to change?

You will have to pull the transmission out to do it. It is the seal on the back of the motor for the crankshaft. Either that leaks or the oil pan-to-block gasket goes.

PS: Mine has been replaced twice on my 2000.

Stone

Ouch, definitely beyond my skill and available tools.

Funny thing is it never dripped onto the garage floor, so I haven't noticed it until now.

Mine never dripped on the ground either. But it was all over the crossmember.

Yep, more tools and time than I have too because you have to remove the torsion bars, exhaust, tranny, transfer case, etc.

Mine has been twice so far under extended warranty.

Mine is definitely out of warranty. Does anyone know how much it'll cost to replace? I'm doing a bit of searching on the forum right now, and some members have used stop leak, wonder if I should try that first.

One more thought. What kind of damage am I looking at if I don't fix this leak? I mean if the oil level is not low and doesn't require fill out between oil changes, is this mostly cosmetic? Can the oil leak get into the tranny or something?

As long as you keep the oil at the proper level you won't have any other problems. It may get severe enough to start leaking on the drive if you let it go long enough.

I don't think it can get in the tranny but it might get on your clutch surface which would be no good!

If that oil gets on the clutch, that's not a good thing...

Try a couple of doses of this:
http://www.goldeagle.com/no-leak/index.htm
Worked for me...

I'd just ignore it and keep a close eye on the oil level until it gets really bad. Happens to all Xterras... that and cracked exhaust manifolds.

EnzoXterra...I just had my 2001X in for a timing belt change and the dealership informed me that my rear main seal is leaking and recommended I replace it. He also recommended replacing the clutch while doing the repair...total cost, $900.

My leak looks exactly like yours does. My oil level is never low and I’ve never noticed any drips on my concrete driveway. From what I’ve heard, these seals can seep for years...it’s really not a flowing leak.

I’m going to try some that ‘no leaks’ recommended above and see how long it will last.

I bought a bottle of No Leak today, going to dump it in tonight, wait a week (roughly 300 miles or so), clean up the grease and see if I see more leaks.

I could really use the $900 on other things.

Jim

I'll have to go check my receipt.....but I believe the dealership charged Nissan around $700.

Stone