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Nissan Navara D40 Oil Leak Causes and How to Fix Leaks

Nissan Navara D40 Oil Leak Causes and How to Fix Leaks

Nissan Navara D40’s box-like style made many people fall in love with it, making it one of the most desired Nissan cars. The vehicle has an outstanding turbo diesel engine, and it is strong and comfortable – just what everyone needs from their vehicle. But the model still has some issues – for example, some drivers have reported a Nissan Navara D40 oil leak, which can be pretty annoying.

Oil leaks in a Nissan Navara D40 can be caused by many things. The oil drain plug, oil filter, valve cover gasket, or oil pan could all be causing the problem. Sometimes, the oil you see may also be nothing more but some leftover oil from when you changed the filter.

Nevertheless, you must find out where this issue is coming from and how to fix it. This post is here to help you out with this Nissan Navara D40 problem.

How Can You Tell That Your Nissan Navara Is Leaking Oil?

Nissan car
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You may not be able to notice that your Nissan Navara D40 is leaking oil right away. Usually, there are some signs such as oil under your vehicle or other areas, as well as smoke under the vehicle’s hood.

Oil leaks are some of the most common problems with cars, and it can be a bit challenging to find out where the vehicle is losing the oil. What is worse is that letting this happen for an extended amount of time can lead to even more issues. The leak itself may end up getting worse, and your vehicle will have no oil left.

Here are some of the most common symptoms of an oil leak in Nissan Navara D40 cars:

  • Oil on Engine – You may find oil on the engine, but it can be hard to tell where it is coming from exactly. Usually, it may be coming from the valve covers. The oil gets out from somewhere at the end of the day, and it may get on the driveway.
  • Oil Under Your Car – Oil leaks become most obvious when there is oil under the car. You can usually see it in the form of a small puddle or as smaller dots under the Nissan Navara D40. Now, of course, it is also possible for the power steering fluid and transmission fluid to leak. To be able to tell, you should check the levels of every fluid. If the fluid has a red color, the chances are it is a transmission fluid leak. But if it has a foamy look or looks low, it may be power steering fluid instead.
  • Smoke Under the Vehicle’s Hood – When oil is leaking, it may end up going into the exhaust manifold. This will lead to smoke. It is less flammable than transmission fluid, but it can cause smoke and will have a specific smell.

Nissan Navara D40 Oil Leak Causes

Nissan Navara D40 model
Photo by Unsplash

Now, let’s analyze the Nissan Navara D40 oil leak causes. This is important in order to fix a leak and make sure you prevent further damage to the car. The repair can be either easy or difficult depending on what is causing the leak to begin with.

So, here are the parts that could cause the oil leak:

Oil Drain Plug

vehicle engine
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An oil drain plug could be causing the leaking problem in some cases. It could happen when the plug has been left loose or stripped out. As a result, the oil will go through it and spill onto the driveway.

Solution: If there is any damage to the drain plug, you should consider replacing it. This will lead to engine oil loss, so you should also get new oil at the store.

Oil Filter

engine oil filter
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Maybe the oil filter was not properly sealed, or it was damaged when you changed the oil last time. Therefore, you will start noticing some leaks. At the same time, the oil level may start dropping too fast. It is a very common issue, but luckily, it is pretty easy to diagnose and fix.

Solution: It is quite simple to replace a damaged oil filter – so, make sure to buy a new one from the parts store and change it. If you cannot do it alone, make sure to reach out to a professional. Get some new oil as well, as your engine may lose oil during the replacement process.

Oil Pan

car engine
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The oil may also start leaking from the oil pan. Sometimes, there may be an issue with the gasket that you find between the engine block and the oil pan. This may go bad and lead to oil leaks.

At the same time, the oil pan may end up with a hold in it or it may have cracks. It is not difficult for oil to start leaking from these damaged areas and make a mess. Fixing a leak from these areas is not impossible, but it is difficult and time-consuming, and you may need a mechanic to help you out.

Solution: If you discover that a faulty oil pan is causing the oil leaks, you should replace it as soon as possible. However, because you must get down and tighten a lot of bolts, this can be a challenging process. Use jack stands or ramps to do this, and never do it with only a floor jack. Still, you might find the process too troublesome. So, if you are unable to do it or know you are not qualified, call a mechanic and get him to replace the oil pan for you.

Valve Cover Gasket

Nissan Navara oil leaks
Photo by Pexels

Oil can also start leaking from the valve cover gasket – and this is quite a common reason.

It is important to keep in mind that the exact place where the oil is leaking from the valve cover will have an influence on different parts of the car. That being said, if the oil starts leaking from the valve covers on spark plugs, you might have issues with the ignition system. On the other hand, if the oil starts leaking from the valve covers above the car’s exhaust, you will feel a burning smell while driving.

Solution: Take the torque specs and try to fix the issue by tightening them up. If this does not work, then you should replace the gasket.

Leftover Oil from Filter Change

checking the engine oil level
Photo by Pexels

You may also notice some oil after changing the filter. Basically, when you change the filter, you will have to screw it on the engine. Where it screws, you will see a small gutter set-up. It starts draining away any oil from the engine block while the oil is unscrewed.

So, if you see a few drops of oil on the driveway, it could also be caused by this if you just changed the vehicle’s filter. It is best to check this to eliminate any cause.

Conclusion

Various factors may be causing a Nissan Navara D40 oil leak.It could either be the result of a filter change where there is some leftover oil, or it may have a more serious cause like an unsealed or damaged filter, a faulty oil drain plug, or a damaged oil pan or valve cover gasket.

Once you discover the issue, you must fix it or replace the broken parts in the Nissan Navara as soon as possible. Do not hesitate to call a mechanic if you cannot do it alone.

FAQs

Is the Navara D40 model reliable?

For the most part, this Nissan model is quite reliable, and many drivers are pleased with it. But of course, it also has some issues, with one of the reported ones being a clutch problem, which requires clutch replacements. Oil leaks also represent a common issue.

How much oil does a Nissan Navara take?

Usually, you should consider a 5-liter container for your Nissan Navara.

Can I change my Nissan Navara D40 oil without changing the filter?

Changing the oil is possible without having to change Navara D40’s filter at the same time. However, changing the oil filter is necessary sometimes, especially if you want optimal performance.

How many miles can I go before my Navara D40 requires an oil change?

You may be able to go about 3,000 miles before you need to change the oil. However, newer models may be able to resist even more.

What happens if I do not fix the Nissan Navara D40 oil leaks?

Not fixing the oil leaks in a Nissan Navara D40 could lead to a drop in oil level. The worst part is that it may also cause damage to other parts of the vehicle. This is why leaks should be fixed as soon as possible.

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