So what year valve covers and gaskets is everyone using; considering I have a 2003 ?

 

Get the 04 ones

 

sorry old thread but what is the main difference between the 5th gen and 6th gen valve covers? Does the 6th gen valve covers completely eliminate the issue?

I have a g35 and stupid infiniti decided to bring this issue to us too. So I was thinking the maxima guys probably have the same problem and found a good fix.

http://g35driver.com/forums/g35-coup...rranty-up.html

 

Call Dave B at 888-254-6060 and check with him, even though he's at a Nissan Dealer he could still offer advice. Or perhaps pass you to an Infiniti dealer for detailed advice.

Also eliminate what issue? The issue that requires new valve covers is oil leaking into your spark plug tubes. Pop on the 2004 Maxima valve cover and no more oil in the spark plug tube(s).

 

I have this exact same problem, I need to do mine as well.

 

how do you make new tread, if your bolt slips?

 

If it strips then tap a new one, possibly larger, with a tap & die set.

 

I know it's an old threat but, I got a quick and maybe stupid question but I am not a mechanic. I found some oil on the spark plug Cyl 6 (front right) and I want to change the valve cover gasket and the spark plug gasket; now the question is: Do I need to change the valve cover itself? If I am getting new seals, why would I need a new plastic cover? please be nice

Mine is a 2000 SE.

 

You need only to change the valve cover gasket, screw grommets, and spark plug gasket. You dont need to change the valve cover, since its made out of metal. Also, the spark plug gaskets are PITA to remove because they are attached to valve cover pretty tight.

 

Thanks Bullet. I am going to do the gaskets ASAP, Thanks again Sr.

 

Aren't the covers made out of plastic? mine are in a 2003 GLE. sorry if this is a newb mistake.

 

You might be thinking about a 3.0? The 3.5 cover is plastic and one piece, even a new pcv valve comes with it.

 

Question, is an oil drain needed to replace the valve covers? All info I find from searching simply says remove the upper intake manifold collector to access both valve covers. Nothing about if an oil drain is required.

Thanks!

 

I just changed the rear valve cover this morning and did not drain the oil

 

I notice a buring oil smell after driving around while at a stop after replacing the valve covers.

I only applied a light amount of http://bit.ly/fTYtxs all the way around the rear valve cover but had a bit of trouble getting things to line up. Hopefully a remove and reinstall with new gasket sealer solves the burning oil smell.

 

Ok...Im contemplating doing this. One of my mechanics quoted me $210 to do this....this is getting expensive! Regardless, based on this write up and Greg's IM removal...it looks like an easy enough job.

My engine is burning oil and although i don't plan on getting rid of it, I'm sick of it at the same time . I haven't had my guys evaluate it yet, which would be the smart thing to do, but I like to troubleshoot and diag things myself. Do I think this will solve the problem, NO. Do I think it may slow the oil burn down, POSSIBLY. It's a risk I'm willing to take.

How many people have actually done a Rear Valve Cover and Gasket replacement on their Max, with an 04 RVC/Gasket? What kind of issues did any of you run into, if any? And did it help the oil burning issue at all?

 

the 02-03 are a 1 compared to the 00-01 that i rate it a 10...the four hidden bolts in the rear that you have to feel for and get loose make the 00-01s a living nightmare.

 

Preciate the feedback and quick response Slim. Yea, it looks simple. I just want to do it right ya dig. And like I said, I don't expect it to "solve" my oil burning problem, but hopefully, it will slow it down a little. That's why, I'm not giving up 2 bills!

 

Just wanted to update on this. Nice write up...did mine 2 weeks ago, pretty straight-forward and not hard at all.

 

no problem...i had to do my moms I35 spark plugs and found out the hard way i had to remove the UIM...i was pissed at first, but when i got into it and realized it wasnt that bad, i wasnt TOO upset. if you're a novice..i say give yourself 3hrs

 

I did rear valve cover gasket. Comr to find out my spark plug tube has oil im the rear middle one. I
Guess i shoulda waited to get the 04 valve cover from junkyardnor sOmething. Very easy but time consuming.

 

This is not something you want to get from the junkyard. The spark plug tube seals are made into the valve covers from the A34. Why gamble? It's like 40 bucks for each one. Cheap.

 

I swapped the valve covers on my 2002 with the 04 covers.

Was not difficult but I ended up with an oil burning smell with the heater on.

Now it appears my next stop is to a mechanic.

 

Why do people thinkreplacing a valve cover will help with the burning oil issue?
Oil burns because it goes pass the pistion rings into the combustion chamber.
There is hardly anything besides an engine rebuild that will fix that

 

oil seeping past the valve cover gasket/valve cover draining down onto the headers can/will cause a oil burning smell... IJS

 

I'll be doing mine next week. I called dave and ordered the parts already. Anyone know of a writeup or "tips" for a 2000 3.0? I've searched the 5th gen and 4th gen forums but still not finding a writeup for the 3.0. The 3.5 writeup is great but the 3.0 gets labeled as "harder" with no write-ups or tips, just complaints. I'm mainly curious of how to remove everything and what needs to be removed, as well as what needs to remain attached before I start via "trial and error". I only an afternoon for this to be done so homework is crucial!

 

OT:

 

Thanks a bunch. I hadn't come across that one yet!

 

^just an FYI..you have basically four 'hidden' bolts behind the UIM that you have to feel for. they are 12mm bolts, then you have the two bolts almost right below the TB, 10mm i believe...but the hardest part are those four hidden bolts, once you get those, its pretty much cake...even putting those 12mm bolts back on and tightening them is not even as hard as taking them off

 

Thanks. That is the kind of info I'm looking for.

 

no problem...GL w/ it..you're going to need alot of patience because you may want to set it ablaze when dealing w/ them bolts LOL

 

I am planning on replacing all motor mounts and tranny mount. Any utube or tips I can use?????:

Joey

 

Will do. I'm going to take a pic of my FVC...you can see the build up bad.

I'm going to order all parts, so I can tackle both VC's. Its the easiest isn't it...any tips there mane?

 

the 3.5 is pretty straight forward...i did it blindly and did it within 1.5 hrs

 

I'm about to give DaveB a call for the parts. Next week is a busy week for me, but it's the next thing on my list to do.

 

I feel you...but...I think everyone here is aware of the fact that this may not "fix" the problem that many of us are all having. If this was the definite answer to all oil burning questions....then it wouldn't be a constant, reoccurring topic of discussion on the org.

 

Hey guys, i have an 02 that has a slight oil leak at the valve cover gasket by the dipstick, and i can smell it while driving with the windows down. Im assuming gasket replacement is what i need to do? should i do front and back? Exactly what parts do i need to order? This is my daily driver so I just want to be prepared so i can get her back on the road asap, thanks for any input

 

i know this thread is outdated but im about to order the front and rear 04 valve covers are the 04 gaskets the one i use or do i have to order 03 gaskets? someone that done this b4 please chime in. thanks a alot

 

Yes get the 04 ones will be fine, did mine in December with the same year 04 and are cheaper than 02-03 ones....

 

awesome thanks for such a quick response i got confused cause i thought i read up like 6 months ago to use the 04 valve cover but get the 03 gasket lmaooo thanks alot about to order it tommorow