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Question:

Why does my water pump have oil all over it?

I have oil all over my water pump. I investigated when I saw a few drops of oil in the garage that showed up every few days. I then saw a drop of clean radiator fluid. Does oil come near or through the water pump? I have a 96 nissan maxima if that helps.

Answer:

you have blown the head gasket it seperates the water from the oil do not drive the car it will ruin the motor
get the cylinders checked for pressure. Check the spark plugs for fouling and oil in the radiator. It sounds like you cracked a block.
STUPID ANSWERS, these answers sound like ****, something a rip off shop would say. 1- buy engine degreaser, and go to the car wash or in the drive if you want to. 2- let the car warm ou, then turn it off and spray the degreaser every where theres oil and dirt. 3- Let stand about 10mins 4- turn the engine back one and use the pressured water (CAR WASH) to wash off the cleaner. You might have to repeat the soaking a few times depending on how long its been leaking. 5- once clean, you can either just let it idle in the drive way or go drive around alittle to see if you can get the oil leak to start again to see where its coming from. Once you find the leak either fix it or just take it to a respectable shop and get a quote for the repair. Dont start assuming that theres a huge problem. It sounds like its just the valve covers, but theres afew possible things that could leak on it. Do this and it will help you find any possible leaks.
The first place a car will leak oil is usually the valve covers. Regular maintenance requires valve adjustments, and to do this, the valve covers come off a few times in 10 years. If you have a four syllable motor, the front of the valve cover is right above the water pump, so a valve cover leak would dribble down the water pump. Your water pump could be leaking (if you've never replaced it in the 10 years since your car was made). I'd bet you have both problems. I'm too soon old, and too late smart, so I've let water pumps go because it's only leaking a little. When the shaft begins to get wobbly, it will let loose with a caBANG! and damage something when it flings off the fan. Moral to the story: Replace the water pump, and get a new gasket for the valve covers.

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