2001 2.7 TD Oil Leak

[luke1987]

Hello again all,

So after steam cleaning the underside of my terrano ive discovered that after a few days I have a drip of oil coming off the gearbox crossmember. Now I have traced this back and it looks to be coming from behind the starter motor, Now before I go removing this for a closer look is there anything there that could leak. I know that in the area of the oil cooler and just wondering if this could be the culprit. I did notice that there seems to be a bit of oil from the inlet manifold where it meets the head but this seem less severe and just looks like the usual blow by / old gasket.

Thank again for all your help.

 

[Banshee]

Hello again all,

So after steam cleaning the underside of my terrano ive discovered that after a few days I have a drip of oil coming off the gearbox crossmember. Now I have traced this back and it looks to be coming from behind the starter motor, Now before I go removing this for a closer look is there anything there that could leak. I know that in the area of the oil cooler and just wondering if this could be the culprit. I did notice that there seems to be a bit of oil from the inlet manifold where it meets the head but this seem less severe and just looks like the usual blow by / old gasket.

Thank again for all your help.

In the starter motor area, yo have your IP which could be leaking out diesel and also the input shaft for the steering box which from first hand experience can spit out PS fluid and spin it everywhere.

Failing that get a look from the top down and make sure it's not your intercooler hoses :thumb2

 

[luke1987]

Can rule out IP and steering box both dry as a bone, I know what you mean about the intercooler hoses banshee but how much oil would you see coming from it? This seems to be lower down. Il try and snap a few pics.

 

[Banshee]

Can rule out IP and steering box both dry as a bone, I know what you mean about the intercooler hoses banshee but how much oil would you see coming from it? This seems to be lower down. Il try and snap a few pics.

Yeah get some pics dude, if there is as much as you are making out I'd expect you to be down on power too if it was coming from the intercooler hoses

 

[makeitfit]

Check also the spill pipes. They can leak diesel which will happily transfer any oil about the place to lower levels

 

[jims-terrano]

Yeah spill pipes dripping diesel down side of engine looks very much like a engine oil leak.

Has anyone replaced the starter motor recently? Reason I ask is a numpty garage replaced my starter a few years ago. He removed the dip stick which is held in place by a bolt that goes through the oil cooler. Replaced the bolt and fixed mine.

 

[luke1987]

Thanks for all the hints fella's, Spill pipes have just been done after they decided to split on holiday so they all dry. It has got a new starter on it which was done just before i bought it. Gonna move it out and have a poke... Ahhh the joys of having a lifted truck makes everything easier to get too.

 

[Banshee]

Thanks for all the hints fella's, Spill pipes have just been done after they decided to split on holiday so they all dry. It has got a new starter on it which was done just before i bought it. Gonna move it out and have a poke... Ahhh the joys of having a lifted truck makes everything easier to get too.

Good lad, you on a 2" body lift?

If the piupes have just been replaced then that's where I'd start, makes sense as they were disturbed last

 

[luke1987]

On a 1.5 inch lift still have to get my nan in with the aid of a spare caravan step lol... Just been out and checked the spill pipes and all bone dry so its definatley lower down. Funny thing is it doesnt really use any oil but i know a little spreads worse than butter on a crumpet. Im tempted to think oil cooler gasket as its dripping off the edge of it.

 

[elty001]

Also make sure the engine oil dipstick is in properly and the O ring is in place.
I had a leak in the same area you have described and it turned out to be a perished O ring.

 

[luke1987]

As promised a few pics from above below and the side...






Looks ok from the top but very wet underneath.

 

[Banshee]

On a 1.5 inch lift still have to get my nan in with the aid of a spare caravan step lol... Just been out and checked the spill pipes and all bone dry so its definatley lower down. Funny thing is it doesnt really use any oil but i know a little spreads worse than butter on a crumpet. Im tempted to think oil cooler gasket as its dripping off the edge of it.

That's what steps are for bro [emoji38]

 

[Banshee]

Hard to see from those pics but definitely give that O ring a check like Elty says

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[rockymtnslayer]

Where are the spill pipes located as i have the same issue and couldnt locate the leak. I definately have some oil from the intercooler pipes but not as much as is on the ground every day ha

 

[Banshee]

Where are the spill pipes located as i have the same issue and couldnt locate the leak. I definately have some oil from the intercooler pipes but not as much as is on the ground every day ha

The spill off pipes are visible from the 1st picture Luke has posted, they are the black "shoe-lace" looking pipes that go from injector to injector. The one from the No1 injector then goes down to the IP and without a body lift is a real knuckle dragger of a job to replace

 

[solarman216]

It will also depend on what pump you have, Bosch will be rubber leak off pipes (not spill pipes, there is no such thing), Zexell are metal with banjo's and rarely leak, Rick

 

[Banshee]

It will also depend on what pump you have, Bosch will be rubber leak off pipes (not spill pipes, there is no such thing), Zexell are metal with banjo's and rarely leak, Rick

Very valid point, my Maverick had a Zexel pump but felt weak and I'm sure the veg killed it

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[solarman216]

My off road motor is a Zexel and was run on veg before I got it, but runs well had to take the maf amp off it cos kept breaking front shafts, my road motor on the other hand is OK but hunts and the idle goes up and down, I have another engine but cannot justify the work for what is just a niggle, Rick

 

[solarman216]

Oh and I have this niggle about reference to SPILL PIPES, they do not exist in normal engines, a SPILL PIPE is a test tool for setting the SPILL POINT or injection start on an engine, ask any long standing diesel engineer, Rick

 

[Banshee]

And judging by the localised area of oil that has sprayed around the starter motor I'd say Elty is bang on the buck with the dipstick O ring :thumb2