Underside Leak in 2004 SL model

[nipsirc]

Today after I had an oil change I was able to see the underside of my MO and saw a leak.

It looks like it just starting as I do not have any drip spots in my garage yet.
I do not know exactly what it is so I would like to see if anyone can recognize it from these series of pics

Right on top of the braided split exhaust pipes

Thanks in advance.

[nipsirc]

Just been reading up on past posts and I see one that is quite similar if not the same.
Need Advice: Oil Leak Driver side
Its on the driver side too so it could very well be the same.
Is this covered under the CVT warranty?

[zebelkhan]

Driver's side seal is on CVT and should be covered by the warranty.

[nitely]

Actually, if I'm seeing it right, I think you have a right/passenger side axle seal leak and/or a transfer case leak if you have AWD.

The other thread you mentioned is also the driver side, but you are on the other side of that CVT connected to the right axle. Follow your right axle inwards and you'll see your leak source there.

If your leak looks like this: 2 Issues - Leak and AC clutch (pics inside) its the left/driver side axle seal. You can see this just by turning your front wheels all the way to the right. Peek inside the driver side wheel well and you can easily see it.

That leak should be covered under the cvt extended warranty. Call all dealers close to you and see what they say.

[nipsirc]

I drove it to Montreal yesterday and now to Ottawa, 1200 km and still holding out.
I haven't had the chance to check under and hopefully it would not run out of fluid.
Was wondering where is the location of the transfer case reservoir so I can fill it up so it won't run out and what fluid does it take ?
Please let me know asap anyone so I can fill it up temporarily. I still have 3 days to go here in Ottawa and I do not want the MO to go dead on me before I get home to Toronto.
Also for anyone who had this issue and in Ontario (Toronto and GTA), could you let me know which dealership you had yours repaired and if they took it under CVT warranty?
Thanks and much appreciated.

[nipsirc]

Nitely & Zeb
Thanks for diagnosis. It's a 2004 SL with AWD version
I would like to point out however at another angle with pictures borrowed from other member's(Thanks to Mee and Eric) here for more clarity.
First pic was my blurry original, second was from Eric's post and third was from Mee's.
The hole in the block would tell you the difference between the sides and mine's more closer and just above the braided twin exhaust pipes
And on mine, I do not have any splatter of the fluid. It was just on the particular area by that block, nowhere else. None on the boots or tie rods, none on the chassis. Pretty clean.
Maybe it just started ?

Could anyone tell me where and what do you think this leak is coming from ?
Would this be covered by the CVT Warranty, you think ?

[Warhammer]

That's a tough one. Knee-jerk reaction is the area where it's leaking is CVT/engine seal.

[turbizzy]

Its the passenger side of the CVT axle seal thats leaking, between the TC and CVT. Its covered under warranty.

[nipsirc]

Izzy, thank you very much for your diagnosis and more importantly your indicating that this is covered under CVT warranty (I no longer have the Powertrain Warranty as its past 5th year). ....... whew !!!!

In your experience, how long does it take to fix this leak at the dealership? A day, a few hours, a week so I can make arrangements for my ride if it takes longer.
Is this a big job ? What does the work entail ?

Very much appreciated for your time.

[turbizzy]

Well the actual job pays approx 5 hours by nissan's warranty flat rate, non warranty time is prob close to 8 hours total labor. I've done them as fast as 3 hours start to finish at work when im left alone and not bothered lol. I would say its something that can be done in a day, possibly two at the most depending on the dealer's work load and technician availability.

Replacing the seal is not difficult at all, but the work to remove the transfercase can get involved. Basically what i do is remove the exhaust y pipe, engine sub frame, rear exhaust manifold, drain a few qts of cvt fluid and all of the TC fluid, remove the rh axle and remove the TC, replace seal and vise versa, top fluids, etc.

[nipsirc]

UPDATE:

Finally able to stay put in Toronto homebase to be able to bring my Murano to my Airport Nissan dealer and had them check out the leak from under.

It turns out to be the Output Seal from the CVT.

The sad part is that after they spoken to Nissan Canada, they said it was only covered on the powertrain and not on the extended CVT warranty. So it means I have to spend almost $800 dollars for labour to replaced an $18 dollar seal # 383420-06R01
I didn't have them repaired it yet as I want to fight it with Nissan Canada.

Any thoughts?

[Warhammer]

You could always pressure spray the area, let it dry, and observe. Usually, leaks like that make a mess and look like they're coming form someplace they're not. By cleaning it up and observing where the leak is originating from might save you some unnecessary $$$.

Just a thought...

[turbizzy]

Originally Posted by nipsirc

UPDATE:

Finally able to stay put in Toronto homebase to be able to bring my Murano to my Airport Nissan dealer and had them check out the leak from under.

It turns out to be the Output Seal from the CVT.

The sad part is that after they spoken to Nissan Canada, they said it was only covered on the powertrain and not on the extended CVT warranty. So it means I have to spend almost $800 dollars for labour to replaced an $18 dollar seal # 383420-06R01
I didn't have them repaired it yet as I want to fight it with Nissan Canada.

Any thoughts?

Really? Wow... This isn't the first time i've heard this. I've always wondered if this seal was covered under the CVT extended warranty or not. I've always gone off what one service advisor told me and he assured it me looked into it and it was. But if Nissan is saying they're not then.... dang im not sure what to say at this point.

[nipsirc]

Originally Posted by turbizzy

Really? Wow... This isn't the first time i've heard this. I've always wondered if this seal was covered under the CVT extended warranty or not. I've always gone off what one service advisor told me and he assured it me looked into it and it was. But if Nissan is saying they're not then.... dang im not sure what to say at this point.

I lost the battle. Nissan won't budge !

In your opinion, if I do not have it done, not because of the money but because I am afraid that once they work on the seals off of the CVT and TC, they might screw up something else which might lead on to a even bigger leak and bigger costs in the future, what are the chances that this output seal leak I have currently would become bigger if I just let it go and not have it fixed?

Right now, I can just top it off and check the CVT fluid level every now and then. There are no leak stains on my garage floor and the area around the CVT and TC are immaculately clean as well except on the actual spotting

Izzy, what do you think ?

[nipsirc]

Originally Posted by Warhammer

You could always pressure spray the area, let it dry, and observe. Usually, leaks like that make a mess and look like they're coming form someplace they're not. By cleaning it up and observing where the leak is originating from might save you some unnecessary $$$.

Just a thought...

Good idea... I will do that... Thanks WH