Huge oil leak coming from top passenger side of motor

Tiny
MESKE KAUFMANN OWENS
  • MEMBER
  • 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA
  • 2.5L
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 162,000 MILES
Leaking about 5 quarts a week. Seems to be only leaking when running. Cleaned engine to try and find leak. Cant see the leak from underneath. Going to take accessories, ie power steering, off to go in from the top. Check engine and oil light on. Not leaking from the oil pan or drain plug. Any ideas, suggestions or tips?
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Sunday, November 3rd, 2019 AT 11:48 PM

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Tiny
CARADIODOC
  • MECHANIC
  • 33,699 POSTS
The most common thing to leak that fast is the oil pressure switch. Given its location, the oil might be dripping onto the ground, not onto the car's frame where it would make a mess that's easy to see.

The first two drawings show the locations of various sensors and switches. The last two drawings are just part of the second drawing, and the list, enlarged to make them easier to read. It looks like the lower drawing, showing item #10, is for the 2.5L engine.

If the oil pressure switch appears to be dry, pull the connector off and check for oil inside by the terminals. If there's wetness there, it can only be coming from a leaking switch. If it still looks dry, you'll need to look for the highest place you see oil on the engine. Check if the oil filter is loose. If the engine is wet above the filter, the gasket for the front cover could be leaking, but that isn't very common. A better suspect would be a leaking valve cover gasket. For that, you'll find oil up close to the top of the engine. For a valve cover to leak oil that fast, you should be smelling it and seeing smoke from under the hood.
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Monday, November 4th, 2019 AT 4:49 PM

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