Car leaking and smokes a little when driving and cranks slowly?

2002 NISSAN MAXIMA
215,000 MILES • 3.5L • V6 • AUTOMATIC
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CHYNA WILLIAMS
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
My car turns over properly but takes about three seconds to start. The starter, camshaft sensor, spark plugs and coils are all new.


It has an oil leak coming dripping from the bottom. It smokes but not a lot. I can see the leak when it’s parked.
Video (Click to enlarge)
Attached Media
Jul 16, 2022 at 9:00 PM
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JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • CAR REPAIR CONTRIBUTOR
  • 110,190 POSTS
Hi,

I watched the video. Is that coming from the engine or the transmission? Toward the end of the video, you show the bottom of the transmission and oil dripping off it.

If it is motor oil, the first thing to check is the oil filter. Make sure it's tight and inspect if it is wet where it mounts. If that appears okay, the next thing to check is the oil pressure switch. They can fail and oil comes right through them. If you remove the connector, check to see if there is oil where the connector goes. See pic below

Also, if possible, see if you can check if it is running down from something like the valve cover. If there is no evidence of any of these things, suspect the rear main is leaking into the transmission bell housing and dripping out where the engine/transmission meets.

Let me know.

Take care,

joe

See pic below.
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Attached Media
Jul 16, 2022 at 11:40 PM
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CHYNA WILLIAMS
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
Checked everything you said and it’s the rear main seal. Thank you
Jul 18, 2022 at 6:33 PM
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JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • CAR REPAIR CONTRIBUTOR
  • 110,190 POSTS
Hi,

You are very welcome. If you plan to perform the repair yourself, let me know and I'll help you through it.

Take care and please feel free to come back anytime in the future. You are always welcome here.

Joe
Jul 18, 2022 at 9:38 PM