Oil all over inside of Skid Plate
 

Hey guys,
So I've posted onto another thread about this before and we couldn't determine exactly if it was just residue from a belt or actual oil, but there's a crap ton of oil gunk and build up on my driver side skid plate. When I look into the engine-bay and downwards, there's black crap everywhere lol. This morning was raining and as I was turning I spun out which freaked me out because I drive quite carefully. My first thought was something I read about how an oil leak can get onto the wheels making it more slippery. Opened the engine bay and saw a puddle on the skid plate above the rest of the black residue. Also, some came out the bottom of the car. I checked oil levels (oil change 3 weeks ago) and there was still a good amount. It's pretty much straight below the oil filter cap. Car is at 50k miles, bought used from a Nissan dealership a year ago.
Will post pics asap.

@Tcoat @Ultramaroon
It's getting worse, lol.

Pics are mine from old thread, but this is the gist of it.

http://i.imgur.com/sAuWWBk.jpg?1

http://i.imgur.com/XRvxbI2.jpg?1

So you have an oil leak and your at 50k miles so take it to the dealer and get it fixed?? You still have powertrain warrenty

Obviously I would like to know if there are any similar issues, solutions, or experiences before trying to go through any issues or delays a dealership might bring up. Honestly, it'd be nice if you just left this thread alone. I'm open to actual help, not snarky suggestions. Thank you.

Fair enough I am out

It's likely to be cam cover or crank case seal issue. Looks the same as mine. I had both issues at the same time http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/12...640eca685d.jpg

Cam plate? Is yours a manual?

Is it a serious issue/any recommendations on tackling the issue?

Yes, manual. A bit noobish in terms on engine stuff, but is this easily fixable? So it is oil coming out though right?

You want help? I was going to actually tell you what to do to find out if it is an actual oil leak, but after that remark, I'll just bugger off too.

Someone actually takes to time to suggest that you should just have the dealer look at it (for free by the way), and you tell him to Fuch off??!!

Brilliant!

Well, its a known issue that they sometimes leak. Enough of an issue that there are multiple fx threads and companies making new plates. Search "raceseng cam plate" and see if that corresponds with what you have going on. Easy fix and mostly easy to diagnose.

Yeah do that, thanks. I'm guessing you didn't see the prior two deleted posts from that above user, but it's alright. Yeah, I told him to "fuch" off when he gave me a rude post earlier that was deleted by mods.

Don't sweat the stain for now. start monitoring oil level daily. Figure out if you're actually using oil. If you can see significant loss between tanks of fuel and/or puddles/stains under the car, then it's an ongoing leak worthy of immediate attention.

If you're under warranty, the answer's easy. Dealer fix.

If not, you'll have to decide if the leak is significant enough to pay to have fixed.

The only really important thing to get a handle on is making sure you don't ever run the oil more than a quart low. Personally, I wouldn't let it get more than a half quart low. That's when I hear this engine start to complain.

Judging by the pics it could be road dirt or a maybe a bit of oil collected over time. To me if it doesn't look anything to worry about. If it's not a fresh oil puddle or a oil drip you'll be ok.

Just to be sure I would take off the plate wash and clean it. If there is a fresh oil on there after a day then I would take it to a shop/dealer if in warranty.

The reason you spun out in the rain was simply driver error. Going too fast on recent rain. If you don't know the few hours after the rain comes down, that makes all roads slick. All that oil, dirt and junk gets lose on the road.

Thank you. Second thread and now getting somewhat hostile, yet a handful of people still offer the same advice and op is still taking the same level of corrective action.

My 1995 M3 with 185K miles has a little leak that I deal with.


But there is no excuse for a modern car with 50K miles to have an oil leak of any kind.
You should not have to deal with this.


By dealing with it yourself you are letting Toybaru get by with inadequate design or manufacture.

I am on my home computer and can see the pics better. I retract my earlier theory about belt particles as I can clearly see they are reflective now.


Now for my version of a "snarky" response.
That does look like finely spread oil with dirt stuck to it.
Is it urgent? No. Should it be fixed? Yes.


If you are unable to diagnose it and are not sure how to fix it then your best bet is to take it in and have the pros look at it. This is not something that makes a good beginner DIY project.


If you have enough oil pouring out that it is getting into your wheels you have much larger issues anyway.


I did not see the other remarks but from what is here now I stand behind Go Away's comment 100%. You are under warranty take it in and get it checked.

A first run car with a newly designed/produced engine can have things come up. Shit happens.

I don't know why I bother...

oil dye

Looks identical to mine. If it is the end plate it is a small job. If it is the cam cover the engine needs to come out :(

http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/12...764d39b20d.jpg

http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/12...45f65ef564.jpg

http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/12...51d082a3c0.jpg

http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/12...e99f34e5c8.jpg

Is the cam plate accessible from the top of the motor? was it an easy install? I don't have a leak but i would like to prevent this from happening.

Cam plate is the easy fix and what is pictured in that bottom quoted picture.

Sorry cam plate and timing cover

Cam plate is left side of the engine and are oil deposit is right side.. i do not think is that

I'm guessing timing cover then..

You guys are way over thinking it, as stated above it isn't the cam plate because it is on the wrong side. It's spillage of oil from service when whoever serviced it filled the oil. Usually dealers do this because they don't seem to care and they tend to overfill it. Dust and belt residue sticks to it making it look old and dirty, check if the bit under the oil filler is oily or had signs of oil which the mechanic may have tried to clean up, the best thing to do as stated by others is to clean and monitor. I'm fairly confident it won't come back (until next service at least!)

As everyone had stated if you're under warranty take it in ASAP. I just took in my car for this issue and they are pulling the engine right now to re-seal the timing cover.

Mine looked exactly like what the OP had posted. Almost mirror image.

I just put my car on the lift to swap out headers.

My car (Feb 2013 manufacture date) has oil slowly seeping from the timing cover.

I'm the only one who has changed oil on my car. This is not just a case of "overfilling the oil".

-alex

I had this happen. The valve cover seals had to be replaced and the o-ring around the oil dip stick needed to be replaced. Just take it to the dealer to have them fix it.