Auto / Attesa Oil Leak

[Pando]

Hi,

Very new S2 RS4 owner here, and first time posting. Had a crack at searching my little drama but no luck, but given this is my first Nissan and Import, and have been bashing my poor knuckles on Land Rovers for the last little while I'm not even sure I'm hunting for the right thing.

I've got an oil leak at the very rear of Auto, roughly around where the connection for the attesa signal line from the rear diff is attached. The rear housing appears to be solid, so the only places I can see where it could be leaking is the line connection (which is tight) or a little brass (breather or nipple maybe?) fitting with the rubber cap on top of this housing.

There was oil sprayed all over the rear housing of the gear box, the cat and the floor pan (thought it was only landies that leaked oil!) but given it's proximity to the rear tail shaft I'm not surprised it was a real mess. Anyway, cleaned it all up and took a quick spin up to highway speeds, and a bit of a thrash generally (trying to get the attesa to kick in), and it's stayed clean, no leak, which is annoying.

It failed it's first Inspection today because of this, and given it hasn't shown another leak after cleaning and checking I'm having a crack at it again tomorrow, hoping the trip in doesn't undo all my good work, get a pass and I can get it registered.

Just wondering if anyone has come across this before (if my description makes sense) and if they could educate me as to the purpose of the little brass do dad, that would be awesome.

Cheers,

Pando.

Edited January 21, 2013 by Pando

[Duncan]

Hi mate, firstly, welcome

A leak from the attessa line is very common, looks like you've got one.

FIrstly, you will need some auto trans fluid to refill the resoviour once you are done. And a small spanner 10mm I think and some clear tubing will help you bleed it.

Leave the cap on the resoviour in the boot (minimises the fluid you will loose). Put the car up solidly on stands. Oil tray down and rags at the ready.

Take a spanner (preferably flare nut) to that attessa line. Either 17 or 19mm, can't remember. Undo it carefully (you really don't want to strip that nut) and pull it off. Pour fluid everywhere except the oil tray.

Give the thread on the fitting a quick clean, and make sure the flare fitting is smooth without gouges or bends. Also do the best clean you can on the gearbox/xfer case end.

A tiny bit of grease on the thread, and put the fitting back on nice and smooth. Pull it down reasonably tight but nothing silly. Clean all the bloody mess down with degreaser.

Cap off the resoviour in the boot, refill it to max. Make sure the car is out of gear and start it up.

Open the bleed nipple at the rear of the transfer case until the fluid flows smoothly without bubbles. If you are unlucky it won't come through, if so there is another breather in the attessa line in a really nasty spot above the driveshafts somewhere.

Once it is bled properly, turn the car off, take it off stands, refil the resoviour if necessary, and resume hooning.

[coparts41]

strange you know , I had a simular problem about three years ago , go under for a check and there was oil everywhere , did the right thing degreased the whole underside and still ok?