Nissan Murano Forum banner

Identify Oil Leak Location

289 Views 9 Replies 7 Participants Last post by  jbarnett250
4
I've owned this 2007 Murano Front Wheel Drive for exactly 3 years. It has always had an oil leak problem. Early on, the leak was manageable but now it seems much more severe. The leak(s) appear to be coming from the same location. (Leak tested 3 years ago with approx 168K miles.) I now have approx. 184K miles. Overnight, I will have a fresh new puddle. I would guestimate approx 1/2 oz loss.
I added UV dye this past weekend and used a UV (blacklight) flashlight. (Photos attached). I took the left front wheel off to get better access to this location.
I am taking it to a shop to inspect with their own blacklight and to give me an estimate on fixing this leak (& other leaks if found). Can someone identify this location for me and what you think this part is called? It is just left of the crankshaft pulley & above the Oil Filter. Also, I may have misunderstood that there is an upper oil pan but I haven't been able to find out much info about one on the 3.5 VQ engine. Please enlighten me about this.
Thank you,
Tire Wheel Automotive tire Automotive lighting Tread

Automotive lighting Blue Gas Engineering Electric blue
Hood Automotive lighting Automotive tire Bumper Automotive design
Automotive lighting Fluid Water Liquid Musical instrument
See less See more
1 - 10 of 10 Posts
To me it looks like the lead may be from above - have you checked around the valve covers? They tend to leak over time, yours are probably overdue...
A good engine wash and the an inspection may help. Don't let em screw you over. I just replaced my valve covers and a back side injector had a pool of oil around it. The valve covers i bought came with the rubber seals for the injectors.

Not trying to diagnose your leak over the web, just my recent experience....2005 Murono FWD. Oil was everywhere! ...and can cause alternator issues....it sits low on the motor.

EDIT-

I will add if it's leaking overnight the valve covers may not be the issue. So I think I'm gonna duk out....good luck.

There are some great guys with knowledge on this site.

You seem to be aproaching the leak thoroughly.
2
I took some pictures this morning before taking it to the shop. I took them laying on my back. The angle of the photo gives us novices a great perspective of where it is actually located on the engine. As a reminder, I added dye over the weekend & used a UV flashlight. The leak is in the same location when I had a different shop test it 3 years ago. I did a post about it back then.

I got the vehicle back today at closing time. The service manager & the mechanic were not there for me to ask any questions, but when I called earlier, they already told me they can't fix it because it would be a labor intensive repair and also because of the number of miles on the vehicle (184K). They are supposed to send me some photos up on the rack that hopefully show more than what I already have. I suppose it will show leaks around the upper oil pan that also cradles the crank shaft. They did give me a copy of a diagram with the upper oil pan highlighted around the gasket area. I will save the photos they send me for the next post.
Meanwhile, I've been trying to IDENTIFY the FLANGED part in the following photos. I am assuming it has to do with the OIL PUMP. I can't find any engine diagrams to confirm this. I AM HOPING THIS IS THE CULPRIT (maybe all thats needed is an O-ring to fix it). But, the shop didn't mention this. I also would like to identify the banjo fitting. Is it connected to the flanged fitting?? (to be determined). Hopefully someone out there has the answers.
I would be pleasantly surprised if an O-ring would fix this.
To be continued.....
Automotive tire Hood Automotive design Rim Bumper
Vehicle Automotive tire Automotive fuel system Hood Automotive design
See less See more
A practical question - how much oil is it leaking? If it's a small leak with a few drops a day, it sounds like living with it and putting a drip pan underneath it in your garage would work well.
That looks like it would be the power steering high pressure line. The elbow should be the supply from the reservoir.
  • Like
Reactions: 1
Yep. All those pics are of the PS pump. Unless UV dye was added to the PS fluid reservoir then that's engine oil leaking. Sounds like shop diagnosed as the upper oil pan gasket so if this is the case then that would be a lot of work (...I think the transmission needs to come out).
  • Like
Reactions: 1
As others have said, what you see are the areas where the leaked oil accumulates and probably not the source of the leak. There is a known problem of high pressure steering hose leak on 1st gen murano but yours look to be dry (at the banjo bolt).
3
Thank you all for your input. I mistakenly thought I was looking the crankshaft pulley. Should’ve known better.
The shop I took it to, still hasn’t sent me their pictures taken while on the lift.
I‘ve been monitoring the leak and it seems a lot worse than expected. I’ve been putting a large plastic tray each time I park on my driveway and it leaves a significant amount, probably more than an oz. per day. I attached a copy of the plastic drip tray. I have to wipe it frequently with a rag.
In 2020, I devised a contraption (a smallish cake pan) to catch the flow at that time. (see the attached pics from my 2020 post). Some of you may remember.

I recently removed it because it seemed to start to spill over more frequently prompting me to start using the large plastic tray. I just ordered a large rubber mat online to take its place & just received it. I haven’t unboxed it yet.
I plan to devise another drip pan that is more easily serviceable.
I will post an update when appropriate.
See less See more
  • Like
  • Haha
Reactions: 2
You correctly identified the crankshaft pulley in that photo. The power steering pump and hoses are the stuff next to it. That's a clever drip pan setup. Reminds me of stories I read about the British motorcycle industry in the 70s. They had trouble getting the bikes not to leak oil and rather than do whatever the Japanese manufacturers did to keep the oil in, they designed nice drip pans. No idea if that's true or just Brit bashing but when I see a fancy drip pan it makes me think of that story.
1 - 10 of 10 Posts
Top