General mechanic or Maxima specialist for valve cover job and rear main seal job?
 

I have really bad oil leaks in my 96 Maxima(297K). Should I be looking for someone who specializes in Maximas, or a mechanic with general knowledge of valve covers and seals. I live in Atlanta and need to get this done asap as it has begun to smoke, and I'm told there is a possible fire hazard. Also, what is a good price for these jobs?

Noting to complicated about either that would necessarily indicate a Maxima specialist. I would suggest isolating your oil leak(s) first. Or confirm their origin. If you have already done this. I would suggest doing the valve cover gaskets first and see how much that improves your situation. Then if still necessary do the rear main seal. But if they are deffinatively both the sources of your leaks then, there you are. So one should be able to check All Data, and get a suggested shop time then just multiple it by the shop rate, add parts plus the repair shop's upcharge on them and there you are. I would not be surprised to see an estimate that approaches $1000 or more for both repairs. Then at that time you have to ask yourself is the vehicle worth repairing. If there is any way you could at least tackle the valve cover gaskets you probably could pocket $500. Great how-to's on this site and Youtube for the valve cover gaskets. Check around with your local indy shops for estimates. Good luck.

^^^ +1

These are two completely different jobs so expect to pay a lot of money (labor) to do the work, $300+ each.

Both are an all day type of job and do not require the dealer or Maxima specialist to complete the work.

Do the valve cover gasket first.

i had my mech replace my rear main oil seal since, at the time, I was replacing the clutch and he was in there anyways.

Read this there's a ton of info for someone wanting to do a vc job

https://maxima.org/forums/4th-genera...pair-info.html

Replacing valve cover is easier, just need to remove a lot of things out of the way, time consuming but not difficult. Rear main seal on the other hand, without a lift, putting car on jack stands and taking transmission off is more difficult to do.