Oil leak on timing chain cover

Oil leakage in the timing compartment of an engine can be caused by a variety of factors. Some common causes include:

1. Worn or damaged valve cover gasket: The valve cover gasket is responsible for preventing oil from leaking out of the timing compartment. If this gasket becomes worn or damaged, oil can leak out of the compartment.
2. Worn or damaged timing chain cover gasket: The timing chain cover gasket is responsible for preventing oil from leaking out of the timing compartment. If this gasket becomes worn or damaged, oil can leak out of the compartment.
3. Worn or damaged oil pan gasket: The oil pan gasket is responsible for preventing oil from leaking out of the timing compartment. If this gasket becomes worn or damaged, oil can leak out of the compartment.
4. Worn or damaged crankshaft seal: The crankshaft seal is responsible for preventing oil from leaking out of the timing compartment. If this seal becomes worn or damaged, oil can leak out of the compartment.
5. Worn or damaged camshaft seal: The camshaft seal is responsible for preventing oil from leaking out of the timing compartment. If this seal becomes worn or damaged, oil can leak out of the compartment.
6. Worn or damaged Timing chain tensioner: Timing chain tensioner is responsible for maintaining proper tension on the timing chain. If this tensioner becomes worn or damaged, oil can leak out of the compartment.
7. Worn or damaged Timing Chain: Timing chain is responsible for maintaining proper timing of the engine. If the timing chain becomes worn or damaged, it can cause oil leakage in the timing compartment.
8. Low oil level: If the oil level in the engine is low, it can cause oil to leak out of the timing compartment.

It's important to address oil leaks as soon as possible, as they can lead to serious engine damage if left unchecked. To determine the exact cause of oil leakage, it's best to consult with a mechanic or take the car to the service center.

Clean the cover and around it and then monitor it with frequent checks. You should get an idea of where the oil is leaking from or at least if it is from the cover.
Oil circulates inside the timing chain cover. A V8 will likely have three chains or belts, maybe more. I am pretty sure that engine employs chains which require lubrication and as such could be leaking oil from around the timing chain cover seal.

Engine oil: Drain or extract and replenish; renew oil filter Engine oil: Drain or extract engine oil ? Chapter. Renewing oil filter ? Chapter. Replenishing engine oil ? Chapter. Draining or extracting engine oil Special tools and workshop equipment required t Used oil collection and extraction unit -V.A.G 1782- t Oil spill cloth -VAS 6204/1- Draining or extracting engine oil Carry out the following procedure: > Note
t For engines with standing oil filter the oil filter must be renewed before changing the engine oil. When removing the filter element a valve is opened, the oil in the filter housing automatically flows into crankcase. t If the engine oil is drained and not extracted with an oil extractor, replace drain plug. This prevents leaks. t Observe disposal regulations! - Extract engine oil using used oil collection and extraction unit -V.A.G 1782-. or - Remove oil drain plug. - Let engine oil drain. > Note
t The oil drain plug is fitted with a secure seal, therefore the oil drain plug must always be renewed. t Observe disposal regulations! - Screw in new oil drain plug with seal hand-tight. - Replenish engine oil, specification ? Chapter. Engine oil capacity: "Power unit" ? Power unit; Rep. Gr.17"Lubrication; oil capacities" or ? Maintenance table. Specified torques for oil drain plug: t Petrol and diesel engines 30 Nm > WARNING
t Torque specifications must not be exceeded. t Excess torque can cause leaks in the area of the oil drain plug or even damage. Renewing oil filter Renewing oil filter, 1.4 l and 1.6 l injection engines > Note
t Prevent engine oil from dripping onto components in engine compartment. t Oil new O-rings before installing. t Observe disposal regulations! Renewing oil filter, 1.4 land 1.6 l engine Carry out the following procedure: alt="W00-10211"> - Unscrew cover cap -1- with socket insert 36 mm AF and remove cover with oil filter insert -4- and valve -5-. - Renew O-ring -2- of cover cap and O-ring -3- of valve. - Renew used oil filter element with new filter element. > Note
Observe disposal regulations! - Tighten cover cap -1-. Cover cap torque setting: 25 Nm. Replenishing engine oil Oil specifications ? Chapter Engine oil capacities: "Power unit" ? Power unit; Rep. Gr.17"Lubrication; oil capacities" or ? Maintenance table. General notes > Note
Observe disposal regulations! - After replenishing with oil, wait at least 3 minutes and then check oil level. - Pull out dipstick, wipe with a clean cloth and push dipstick in again to limit stop. - Pull dipstick out again and read oil level. alt="N01-10183"> For dipstick as illustrated: A - Oil must not be replenished. B - Oil may be replenished. It may happen that the oil level afterwards is in the -A- region. C - Oil must be replenished. It is sufficient if the oil level is in the -B- region (hatched area) afterwards. There is a danger of damaging the catalytic converter if the oil level is above the -A- marking. - If oil level is below -C- marking, top-up oil to -A- marking. alt="N01-10255">

I have just spent $1500.00 to fix this low oil pressure problem. The main cost was having the timing chain replaced and where the oil pressure problem was found. The low oil pressure problem is caused by a bad gasket that is under a plate inside the timing chain cover. The dealer wanted to replace the whole housing as Nissan dose not offer a new gasket and wants you to replace the inner timing chain housing. The plate covers part of the oil gallery, the gasket breaks out from this plate and that is where the oil pressure goes. The gasket can be replaced by removing the plate and making a new gasket. Note getting to the plate inside the timing cover is a major labor issue that takes about 12 hours to complete start to finish. I had to fabricate the gasket my self as the dealer would not. Cost for fixing the bad gasket was about $17.00 for materials. Replacing the timing chain was at my request as it was making noise.

YOU NEED TO REPLACE TIMING COVER OIL SEAL AND THE TIMING CHAIN AND TIMING CHAIN TENSIONER.REPAIR SHOP WILL CHARGE YOU PLUS LABOR.ABOUT $500.00

I'm assuming that you are talking about 2.7L, the check this procedure...

Removal & Installation - 2.7L Engines

1. Drain the engine oil.
2. Remove or disconnect the following:
   Crankshaft damper Timing chain cover Timing chain Crankshaft sprocket Oil pan Oil pickup tube and O-RING Oil pump

To install:

Fig. Oil pump mounting bolt locations-2.7L engine

1. Fill the oil pump rotor cavity with clean engine oil.
2. Carefully, install the oil pump over the crankshaft and into position.
3. Install the oil pump mounting bolts and torque to 21 ft. lbs. (28 Nm).
4. Lubricate the new pickup tube O-ring with clean engine oil and torque the pickup tube mounting bolts to 21 ft. lbs. (28 Nm).
5. Install or connect the following:
   Oil pan Crankshaft sprocket Timing chain Timing chain cover Crankshaft damper
6. Fill the engine with clean engine oil.
7. Start the vehicle, check for leaks and repair if necessary.

Hope helps (remember to rate this).

if the front seal leak you can just replace the seal, if the timing cover is leaking then you will have to remove the cover. while you are in there, I suggest that you go ahead to replace the timing chain ( timing set ), seal and a new cover. parts cost less than 100 dollars.

u didnt indicate what is leaking oil or anti-freeze there is a gasket for the timing chain cover (oil) but the water pump is there also (anti-freeze)

Sounds to me someone wants to make a couple of bucks. Does the truck still run? The timming chain is going to have play in it, even with only a few miles on it THATS JUST THE NATURE OF THE BEAST, the chanses of the timming chain going out is remote, I've owned a few 4.3's with well over 100.000 mi. and never had to chg. a timming chain, not to say it can't happend just saying its very remote.

I never heard of a cover cracking, unless the timing chain or belt snapped. And I've worked on cars for 40 years. 10 to 1 it happened at the shop,but it can't be proved.