I was changing my spark plugs when I noticed that the ignition coil in the rear bank, driver side, had some greasy spots around it. Well, to my surprise, there was oil in the spark plug cavity(1/4 full I would guess judging from how much oil was on the socket and the plug). Did anyone else experience this happening to them? I am guessing that there is some sort of seal under the valve cover in the area of the spark plug? Thanks in advance.

 

Yup, valve cover gasket. You'll need new wires and plugs also.

 

I think this is a known problem. I've seen a nice thread here before with somehting like "fixed another problem with the .." but can't find it to help you out. According to the post the 4th gens suffer from it also.

 

Man, this sucks. Now I have to reomve the intake plenum again!
New wires? You mean I actaully need to buy a new ignition coil?

 

you MIGHT be able to clean it.

you might also be able to get just the boot separately. you can separate them, at least on the vq35...

 

Just discovered I have the same issue. This doesn't seem right. It must be caused by excessive pressure in the rear valve cover which is forcing the oil past the gasket in the cover. Did you ever figure out what was happening?

 

sounds like a nightmare is this a common condition? Im a newbie

 

I had the same problem when I changed my plugs. I cleaned as much of the oil out that I could and it seemed like the plug wire sealed the tip of the plug pretty good so no oil was on the tip when I pulled it out. Since it was to late for me to get new gaskets I put everything back and it seems fine except that it idles a little funny.

 

meh, id say have a valve cover gasket on hand when you do spark plugs, lol...

 

could oil in one of the cavities cause the car not to start? one of my friends changed his spark plugs and found oil in one of the cavities and his car doesn't want to start at random times, could this be the problem? he can crank it and you can hear it trying to turn over but nothing will happen, ocassionally it'll start up but abruptly die if he doesn't hold the rpm's up

any ideas?

 

As already stated the problem is a faulty spark plug tube seal in the valve cover. The only way to fix it is to pull the valve cover and replace the seal. There are 3 seals, one for each plug, plus the main gasket for the valve cover. I imagine that if the problem is left uncorrected, you will eventually destroy the coil (expensive to replace) and plug.

 

ive seen it happen. not on a maxima, but the concept still applies

 

Okay: Bad MAF or cam/crank sensors, but my money's on the MAF.
NJmodi: I've been driving mine with leaking tube seals for >30k miles, the coils are fine.

 

That's good to know... since I have no idea when mine started leaking.. The last time I took the coils out was at 60k... now I'm at 120k and was doing the plugs again and thats when I noticed the oil on one of the coils... I've replaced the seal (last week)... so I'm keeping my fingers crossed!

 

wow mush be a biatch to change the rear valve cover gasket

 

It isn't hard to replace the valve cover gasket, but it is a PITA to actually get to the valve cover in the first place. My strong recommendation is that anyone doing a spark plug replacement on a 5.5 gen have a rear valve cover and replacement gasket available at that time. The individual cylinder seals do not appear to be servicable.

 

I agree completely... the valve cover gasket and tube seals are easy... its pulling all the stuff above it off that makes the task tedious.

Really? That's interesting... On the 4th Gens, the valve cover has these seals that press into it from below (before you put the valve cover back on the heads)... you can see where mine has cracked.

 

hmmm . . . now you've got me wondering about that = I'll call back David Burnett tomorrow and see what he says.

 

Let us know what you find...

 

yes, and get a p/n if theyre available separately.

 

Really? I called the dealer a couple of weeks ago and he was able to give me a price for the parts I thought were available. Can someone confirm whether we have to buy an entire valve cover or separate parts are available? I guess I'll have to call another dealer to see what they say if no one else knows.

 

If you have a 3.5, you need to replace the entire valve gasket. I had to do mine a while back for the same reason you guys have. And, yes, the intake manifold is a PITA!

 

Yes, I just confirmed with David B. that the entire unit needs to be replaced - the individual seals/rings are not available for the 3.5 on their own. Of note, the 2004 parts should fit the 2002 and 2003 engines without any problems but are much cheaper AND the valve cover comes with a new PCV valve included!

 

will you please send me a USED o-ring from the tube.

PM me for an addy

...thx

 

Are you talking to me?

 

Is the valve gasket now being stocked at my Nissan dealer a revised piece or will the new gasket blow out as well?

 

Interesting. Thanks for that info.

 

Do you have the part number and/or price? I replaced my sparkplugs a couple months ago, and I definitely had oil in the tubes.

 

I don't have the part number available but I should be getting my shipment tomorrow. I will try to post part numbers tomorrow night. If IIRC the cost for each valve cover was about $35-40 for the 2004 parts but more like $100 each for the 2002 parts. David also confirmed for me that the 2002 valve cover gasket will fit the 2004 valve cover . . .

 

anyone who is willing to send me one

 

Just curious or...? Shoot me a PM with your address... and I'll see what I can do.... don't think it will make it in a standard envelope.. or will it?