My wife has a 2001 2wd auto xterra with the non supercharged v6 in it. I recently replaced the leaking valve cover gaskets to discover she also has what appears to be a leaking oil pan gasket now. Engine has a 195k miles on it. The starter is wet with oil. Drivers side is bone dry. I've verified it's not the valve covers again. It looks to me like I can take off the starter and a bracket on the drivers side and replace the gasket without pulling the engine but I'm not to positive. It also appears that there is a power steering fluid leak. Are there any common leak points for that?

Also, what needs to be done to this engine to make it last another 100k miles? Timing belts maybe?

Thank you for your help.

Tyler

Power steering... I changed out all the clamps this evening because mine were leaking. You may just be able to tighten the cheap clamps that are on it. The bottom clamp on mine was broken and a bugger to change out (easier to reach from bottom). The other 3 were all loose and weeping out around the fitting.

I also changed out the clamps where the transmission lines attach to the transmission cooler with rubber hoses. Mine were dripping there as well.

The only oil leak that I have is the rear main seal which seems to be pretty common. My 2000 X with 111k miles is starting to leak worse at the rear main seal, but for the price to fix it, I'll just add a tiny bit of oil occasionally if needed.

Timing belt should be changed at 105k miles. So theoretically you should be ready for your second belt. That's not something to skimp on. If it breaks, there is a good chance of major engine damage including bent valves. Cheaper to swap the belt now(and water pump while you're at it) than put a new motor in it. May check your other belts while you're at it too.

How hard is the timing belt? I'm very mechanically inclined with a stocked tool box.

I hope it's not the rear main. Otherwise, I'll just have to live with the oil leak.

The timing belt was simple for me. I just paid someone else to do it! I didn't have the time or place to work on it at the time. I don't believe it is any worse than most timing belts. Just cramped area to work in.

Any other thoughts on replacing the oil pan gasket and timing belt? Do I need to pull the engine to replace the gasket?