Nissan Terrano oil leak

[Benboy]

Hi all I am new to the forum and have owned my Terrano now for 2 years. It is a 2004 2.7tdi and have recently been having issues with a oil leak which has been detected by my mechanic as coming from the dipstick. I used to own a classic mini and had this problem on that but I found that it was down to a clogged up gauze filter located on the side of the engine ,so a good clean and it was sorted. Does anybody know if there is one of these on a Terrano? If so where is it located and any ideas of how to fix will be much appreciated
Thanks in advance
Ben

[jims-terrano]

Hi Ben and welcome aboard.

From what you are saying it’s the drivers side of the engine. Are you sure it’s oil? Now this little nugget you will swear blind that it can’t be but check it as I’ve seen it many times and it happened to me. You’ll need to remove intercooler to see properly. Between the injectors there are some rubber pipes called leak off pipes that return excess fuel back into the system. Often it’s the last injector that has a blanking plug that perishes and leaks diesel down the side of the block. By the time it gets to the bottom of the engine it’s black and really does look just like black engine oil.

Alternative is the dipstick tube has a bracket that is held by a bolt into the side of the engine block. This bolt is one of the bolts that hold the oil cooler onto side of engine. If this bolt is missing it can cause problems but I suspect it will be the leak off pipes.

Let us know how you get on.

[solarman216]

Hi and welcome, yes as Jim says, there is also an oil catch can top front NS of engine this an associated pipes can gum up if oil changes have been neglected, Rick

[Benboy]

Thanks for the reply I will check this week and let you know

[Benboy]

Thanks Rick can this oil catch be cleaned up if so how would you do it thanks Ben