Coolant leak CRD 3.0L

[Hodge]

Shit mate, you're not having a good run hey!!

Shit happens mate. This is common on the common (ironic?) rails, so was bound to happen sooner or later...

[Hodge]

Ok. So since this morning, not a single drop came out... Reason? It's warm and car has been driven. Metal expands when warm hence gap is closed and no leaks.
Last few nights were a bit coolish thats why there is a larger leak than usual. Hmmm

[Hodge]

Went to local mr. nissan. "yes we have had this issue on 3L's a few times, it's $4300, with an engine out job due to the timing cover overlapping with the sump"...
God have mercy.
Can get a replacement engine from wreckers for that price...

[threedogs]

you are joking aren't you. Praying to the powers that be
mine is not the same, but will get my bottles checked for leaks.

[Hodge]

Yup. They do one a week he reckons and had a silver one in there getting the engine put back in while I saw it. He said on the CRD's they also, fix up the oil pickup??? While the sump is off. I didn't understand exactly what he said, due to being stunned after he told me the quote. He also said the later model Di's were the worst culprit for this issue, because of some sandwich plate? Nissan was putting in at the time. Anyways there is no farking way I'm paying anywhere near that much. Will ring around and get more quotes and do more homework. Otherwise let the thing leak to hell.

[Bacho86]

Yup. They do one a week he reckons and had a silver one in there getting the engine put back in while I saw it. He said on the CRD's they also, fix up the oil pickup??? While the sump is off. I didn't understand exactly what he said, due to being stunned after he told me the quote. He also said the later model Di's were the worst culprit for this issue, because of some sandwich plate? Nissan was putting in at the time. Anyways there is no farking way I'm paying anywhere near that much. Will ring around and get more quotes and do more homework. Otherwise let the thing leak to hell.

How bad is the leak? Are you able to monitor it and just top up accordingly?

[Hodge]

How bad is the leak? Are you able to monitor it and just top up accordingly?

The leak isn't that bad. It mainly leaks when the weather cools down. So few days ago, we had a warm day and then it rapidly cooled down to 12-13C overnight, and in the morning leak was the worst I've seen it. As the car stands now it hasn't leaked since yesterday morning due to being driven and / or warm weather . I keep an eye on the coolant level and it really doesn't change, if at all. I have water and coolant with me in the car all the time in case of top up needed.

So I can go on as it is, it may last a month before it really gets bad, or it could be a few years? Who knows, it is just annoying and will be constantly on my mind.

[Hodge]

I've just been ringing around a few more mechanics. 2 of the surprisingly said, it is not an engine out job, but they don't want to touch it because they have fixed a few and cars returned a few weeks later with the leak developing again. Nissan supposedly have some sort of a seal and aligning tool to fix this correctly?? Don't know how much truth there is to it, but 2 different mechanics have said the similar thing and refused the job/quote so, there must be some merit to it.

I will ring some more reputable places and see what happens.

[Bacho86]

For that price I rekon would just keep an eye on it, but hopefully you'll get a better response from the other mechanics!

[4bye4]

Shit happens mate. This is common on the common (ironic?) rails, so was bound to happen sooner or later...

How common? Might be worth checking on other forums. If its very common and needs an engine out and/or special tool to fix it, could some pressure be put on nissan to recall and fix or even do a parts cost only fix. I got Ford many years ago to replace power steering lines at part cost only because the dealer told me "yea they all leak, Ford have a different modified hose now, there is a kit".
Might be worth a try.