Just bought an '07 CPO coupe, automatic, with 13k miles from a dealer last weekend. I noticed some oil very slowly collecting near the drain plug and dripping down... just a few drops. And this is overnight, not after being driven. Tightened up the drain plug a bit but it only slowed down the seeping. Felt underneath and around the filter but was totally dry so it's not the source. Thinking it's an old unreplaced crush washer or oil pan gasket.. or worse?

I'm really p!ssed off because the reason I don't mind paying a little extra for a CPO car is so I dont have to worry about things like this. What good is the 145pt inspection and warranty extention? Can the crush washer be replaced w/o doing a full oil change? Would be messy but could be done right? Thanks guys.

 

Change the plug and washer?

 

How do you know it's not dripping during and after you drive? Oil flows much easier when hot. Sounds like a stripped drain plug or stripped drain plug hole. Typical stuff when oil changes are done by quick lube places and even sometimes the dealer. There's a chance that this was not apparent during the CPO inspection.

You can replace the plug/washer without doing a full oil change, but it will be messy like you said. If the oil was just changed, then I suppose you can catch what comes out when you pull the plug into a clean container and then poor it back into the engine after you replace the plug.

 

Now would be a good time to order one of those magnetic drain plugs and install a new copper washer, that should solve the issues your having....relax you're driving one of the best cars on the road!
Gary

 

It appears the cause was a crush washer installed UPSIDE DOWN. The flat part with the notch was against the oil pan instead of the plug. After being crushed, there's still a small cavity where oil can seep into. If this cavity is facing the plug instead of the pan, oil will seep into it via the notch and eventually leak out. Last oil change on record was at some Infiniti dealer.... nice job guys. Why the heck is the washer designed like that anyway?

Bought a ddrain plug/washer at the Nissan dealer yesterday and swapped it. Made sure engine was totally cold and jacked up only the passenger side to lessen oil flow coming out. Yea it got a little messy but not much oil flowed out. As of this morning there are no leaks, no wet spots. Thankfully it was a simple fix. First time i ever tried a drain plug swap.. least now i know it can be done. Thanks again guys.

 

^ i am not doubting you, but is there really a "proper" way to install the crush washer? i've installed it both ways.. and never had a probleM?

 

Thank God you got rid of your "Wet Spots!"
Gary

 

The crush washer is definitely not the same on both sides. One side is totally flat and slightly wider; the other side is more rounded and is the side that gets crushed. Mechanically it makes sense for the wider flat part to be against the plug.