I changed 4 of my 6 plugs today cuz I couldn't figure out how to change the back left two with pulling the plenum. The one in the back right had oil all over it. What does that mean? I'm taking it to the Nissan dealer to get the other two changed and a diagnostic. Someone told me it could be a leaky valve cover gasket. BTW I have 74,000 on it. Thanks.

 

valve cover gasket? rings?

 

Would that be covered under my 100k warranty?

 

yep.

http://www.nissanusa.com/m/cma/i/200/2003_Wrnty.pdf

 

Do you mean black wet carbon on the business end of the plug or just oil on the plug above the threads and gasket? Look down the plug tube and if there is oil at the bottom it is just the tube seal in the camshaft cover (that keeps oil out of the tube) that is the problem. After removing the coils and before removing the plugs it is a good idea to look down into the tubes and note if there is any oil down around the plug. Problem is....to change the tube seal, the camshaft cover has to come off. Minor leakage here is not unheard of and really doesn't cause a problem.

 

Seems to be a common issue on the 3.5L; specifically the rear bank. Also, the spark plug chamber seals are part of the valve cover. So the fix would be to get a new one. I suggest you go to your dealer and see if you can get it fixed under the powertrain warranty.

Pedro

 

The oil was on the business end of the plug and there was quite alot of it.
All the other plugs were dry....or I should say the 3 in the front.

 

does it look like this?



If it does, too much oil is entering the combustion chamber. It's often caused by piston rings or cylinder walls that are badly worn. Oil may also be pulled into the chamber because of excessive clearance in the valve stem guides. If the PCV valve is plugged or inoperative it can cause a build-up of crankcase pressure which can force oil and oil vapors past the rings and valve guides into the combustion chamber

 

That looks about right. My appointment is at 1pm today so I'll be sure to post how it went later on. BTW Would that cause a slight loss of power? Thanks everyone.

 

Definitely take your car in for service. I hope you are still covered under warranty

 

Just one more reason to buy the more reliable 3.0 engine

 

Prediction: stealer decides engine not properly broken in. Warranty voided and claim denied.

 

Being only one cylinder with 74,000 mi. which is relatively nothing.... this shouldn't happen. Could it be a duff valve stem seal?....or possibly, God forbid, the infamous FOD caused by "the screw"???

 

Oh right the 3slo.


Wrong! I broke my engine in properly I made sure of it. My dealer is AWESOME.


They did the diagnostic on it. Some of you called it. Leaky valve cover gasket.
They ordered a new one in and its ALL COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. I pay the $50 deductible and thats it. Its $210 in parts and about $300 in labor that I don't have to pay. And they are gonna put my other two plugs in while they are at it. Hurray Nissan and them talking me into getting the extended 100k warranty. Woohoo!

 

How does any leaky camshaft cover gasket give you oil burning? (heavy carbon on the plug) Or was it just oil that ran down to the business end of the plug from the tube when the plug was removed? I hope the dealer checked for loose tubes/lack of sealant while he was in there.

 

Just oil that ran down the business end of the plug. No oil burn.