simple scenario
2003 xterra 4wd 120k on the clock no major issues ever
mid december leaks oil pasenger side valve gasket
replaced
12-22 leaks oil on driver side after 80 miles, replaced
1/1 leaks oil on driver after 400 replaced

Today.. leakign oil again after 280 miles

What is the deal. All work done at AAA authorized dealers each time gaskets were replaced. They checked the mating surfaces. compression was fine. They checked the CDC? sensor that regualtes the oil pressure , it was fine

Having it towed to a nissan dealership now....(in medford , MA) What else could it be? Should they replace the valve covers, maybe something could have warped?

The only thing that is wierd is that its always happened after a really cold night.
Today its 10 degrees
on 12/22 it was 9, bartlett NH
mid december it 9 degree, bartlett, nh
1/1 it was similar batlett, nh

Coincidence? its been cold before and it hasnt "leaked"


help please : (

It's not really that weird. The valve cover gasket has a very thick neoprene rubber seal that seats with small, 10mm bolts that are usually tightened with a Phillips screwdriver. Since we learned from the Columbia disaster that "O" rings (which is basically what these gaskets are) don't like cold weather, it makes sense that they may leak in the cold.

If there is contamination of oil and antifreeze in the heads when the new gasket is installed, they very well may loosen. I would have them tighten them down more snugly than before...not too much...but I bet some of those bolts have come loose.

hmm interesting.. righ tnow
the last garage that did work didnt clean the engine so i cant tel if its "leakign " or not( i'm going to check the oil level and monitor it

but I was going to "clean " it with those engine degreasers... any input on beign careful with that?