Valve seal
03-07-2005, 11:53 AM
#5
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2003
Posts: 1,207
You can probably go to an engine shop and get rebuilt heads. Change them yourself.
If you use 5w 30 oil, you can switch to a 10w. You could technically switch to a 15W too but since your car is a 99 I would not do that.
If you get mechanics to do the job, I'd expect to spend about 1200-1600. I know my buddy's shop charges 850 to change a head. Taking a head apart is much more time consuming.
I've never heard of bad valve seals on a maxima. The heads are usually bulletproof unless you never change the oil.
Which oil do you use?
If you use 5w 30 oil, you can switch to a 10w. You could technically switch to a 15W too but since your car is a 99 I would not do that.
If you get mechanics to do the job, I'd expect to spend about 1200-1600. I know my buddy's shop charges 850 to change a head. Taking a head apart is much more time consuming.
I've never heard of bad valve seals on a maxima. The heads are usually bulletproof unless you never change the oil.
Which oil do you use?
03-07-2005, 12:58 PM
#7
Originally Posted by chamiz
Anyone know how much is it to replace the entire set of valve seal, including labors from the mechanics? Losing 2 quarts of engine oil every 500 miles.
03-07-2005, 02:39 PM
#8
Originally Posted by f550maranello2
if it is the seals... i wouldnt pay more than 800$ for the job considering the removal of the heads. but for that kinda money i would just get a new motor... and have the car last another 10 years lol
motors are easy to come by, thats a given, but what about good motors.
how do i kno if i go out and buy a used engine that it is in fact in better shape than mine, all they have to do is give it a good clean and call it rebuilt, but in actuallity it may only have another 5-6 months left.
im now jus informed i have leaking valve seals as well. the front im gonna do myself, but i dont want to touch the rear and will more than likely bring it to a mech, or someone who can actually do i correctly. it may cost more money but oh well.
all im sayin is if you know your engine is in good shape and that is the only problem, why spend money on an engine you are unsure of. plus if you are askin about cost on installing gaskets, you arent gonna want to know how much it is to take out your old engine and install a new one.
03-07-2005, 04:23 PM
#9
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2003
Posts: 1,207
If you are going to do the fronts yourself you might as well do the rears too.
All you need to do is take off the Intake Manifold and you'll have access to the head.
Are you planning on leaving the heads on the car? Or taking them off.
You're going to have to take the timing chain off anyway so you might as well do both.
Just an opinion
All you need to do is take off the Intake Manifold and you'll have access to the head.
Are you planning on leaving the heads on the car? Or taking them off.
You're going to have to take the timing chain off anyway so you might as well do both.
Just an opinion
03-07-2005, 04:27 PM
#10
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2005
Posts: 98
I would believe my engine is in good shape and does not require another rebuilt. I bought it at 58k miles along with the bad valve seal. I would spend anything up to $1200. Do anyone know the time it takes to do the whole thing in the shop? Was informed that that 99s have bad seals and gaskets.
03-07-2005, 04:31 PM
#11
IMHO only. If the engine needs new valve stem seals, I will assume that they are hardened/brittle. Hence them leaking. If that is the case the oil probably hasn't been changed. If that is the case, you are spending alot of time/$ on an engine that's all varnished up anyway. So yes, you will have brand new seals, but the rest of the engine will still be all worn/varnished up from neglect. Again, it's just my guess. Maybe there is some other reason that the seals went bad.
IMHO again. I'd rather have an used low miler engine that has a shiney valvetrain (inspect before you buy) than a fixed one that's been neglected.
Remove the valve cover or maybe just the oil cap. If they valvetrain looks nice an aluminum colored, it might justify just the seal change. If it's dark and varnished up (beer bottle color), then consider just getting a good used engine.
IMHO again. I'd rather have an used low miler engine that has a shiney valvetrain (inspect before you buy) than a fixed one that's been neglected.
Remove the valve cover or maybe just the oil cap. If they valvetrain looks nice an aluminum colored, it might justify just the seal change. If it's dark and varnished up (beer bottle color), then consider just getting a good used engine.
03-07-2005, 04:32 PM
#12
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2003
Posts: 1,207
On the contrary, 99s do not have bad seals. Bad gaskets are common with any engine. I am really surprised to hear that your valve stem seals are bad. Very surprised.
I really think you are losing oil through your valve covers, timing cover, and/or rear main oil seal.
The 3.0 VQ motors are bulletproof. I really am shocked.
Can you tell us if your car blows white or blue (dark) smoke? It would be worse when you accelerate. No smoke... no oil burn. I dont care what any mechanic says. I think someone's ripping you off.
I really think you are losing oil through your valve covers, timing cover, and/or rear main oil seal.
The 3.0 VQ motors are bulletproof. I really am shocked.
Can you tell us if your car blows white or blue (dark) smoke? It would be worse when you accelerate. No smoke... no oil burn. I dont care what any mechanic says. I think someone's ripping you off.
03-08-2005, 07:45 AM
#14
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2005
Posts: 98
Originally Posted by Jeff92se
IMHO only. If the engine needs new valve stem seals, I will assume that they are hardened/brittle. Hence them leaking. If that is the case the oil probably hasn't been changed. If that is the case, you are spending alot of time/$ on an engine that's all varnished up anyway. So yes, you will have brand new seals, but the rest of the engine will still be all worn/varnished up from neglect. Again, it's just my guess. Maybe there is some other reason that the seals went bad.
IMHO again. I'd rather have an used low miler engine that has a shiney valvetrain (inspect before you buy) than a fixed one that's been neglected.
Remove the valve cover or maybe just the oil cap. If they valvetrain looks nice an aluminum colored, it might justify just the seal change. If it's dark and varnished up (beer bottle color), then consider just getting a good used engine.
IMHO again. I'd rather have an used low miler engine that has a shiney valvetrain (inspect before you buy) than a fixed one that's been neglected.
Remove the valve cover or maybe just the oil cap. If they valvetrain looks nice an aluminum colored, it might justify just the seal change. If it's dark and varnished up (beer bottle color), then consider just getting a good used engine.
I removed the oil cap, but see what you described -> beer bottle color. I changed the oil every 2500 miles. So much trouble with this car.
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