Sorry for the bump.link is taking me to car domain. I dont see a illustrate on torque sequence or how much torque. Anyone know where to find this I been looking for a while .

Couple of questions, Is it nessesary to change valve covers? Or can you just replace the gaskets with 6gen gaskets?

Also I see many people change spark plugs to one step Colder ones. Any idea of which spark plugs these are?

thanks

I just did the gaskets, piece of cake with the tut. I used 2003 gasket said with the same calve covers that came with the car. I also used NGK V-Power spark plugs copper not double platinum. Car runs fine with those. From what I have read the only reason people go with 1 stage colder plugs is when they boost or put nos in it.

How tight do u guys torque the screws

fsm

Thanks, ill be changing mine this week as well. Last week replaced plugs with NGK lazer plat, and noticed a bit of oil in the rear middle chamber

Just finished changing both front and rear valve covers with 6th gen covers as mine were both leaking...The front cover was resulting in oil build up going all the way down to the alternator, and the rear had the infamous oil leaking into coil #5. I hope this takes care of the problem! Being this was my first attempt at doing this job, it took about 5hrs to complete it's beer thirty now....


Great write up!

I just called nissan for a valve cover price and the guy said 245.00 for the 02 and same price for the 04? Isn't the 04 suppose to be a lot cheaper? Part number anyone?

Thanks.they're closed so il call tomorrow. Any idea why I got quoted the same price for 02 and 04 ?

Courtesyparts.com

On courtesyparts.com, I spent like $100 on both valve covers and gaskets with shipping, and I got the parts pretty quickly...don't know where dude got those astronomical prices you were quoted

Because typically local part places are :

I usually end up printing a quote from Courtesy and taking it to a local place. Takes a while because oftentimes it takes the local guys a few minutes to process what just happened.

Ur right .I went to a local parts store and got a 40 dollar price for each 04 valve cover. I might just wait on plugs by the firewall and valve cover till I get spacers but just incase I dont my last question is do I need gasket sealant on the intake oem gasket when I do the plugs? Yes I did search dont see anything.

FSM has what you need, and no you don't.

Any tips on how to remove one of the bolts holding the cover onto the rear bank? For example one of the rearmost bolts.

Theres a bunch of videos on youtube if u search spark plug or intake removal. From what I seen just use a socket and a ratchet. If ur talking about the 2 12 mm bolts by the firewall under the elbow.

Just putting in some info ... Since this will be the second time doing this for me (second motor in the car), it is relatively easy. I had to order the LIM spacers from Aaron because the mechanic who put my engine in did not put those back on. By the way I do not know why you people are paying such high costs for a valve cover, I got mine OEM from Nissan for 36 dollars after tax.

So I removed the UIM and coil packs in the rear expecting to see oil in cyl. # 5. I saw a very tiny amount when I removed the plug. But guess what the mechanic who installed the engine left the OEM plugs in the rear and put my Iridium plugs in the front. That is not good and can cause issues. So no leaking in the rear spark plug tubes. However I pull out cyl. # 2 spark plug and that ***** was leaking like a sieve. So now I will have to buy the front valve cover, and gasket. The front valve cover is cheaper because it does not have a PCV in it. I expect to pay 25 for the front cover and 10 for the gasket. After all this is done I will be saving up for 6 new coil packs when I do the SSIM.

I just changed out my valve cover gaskets and your instructions and photos were awesome help. Thanks a lot.

So after reading through all these wonderful posts, I finally ordered my 04 valve covers and gaskets to be installed on my 02 maxima. I'm getting a #3 cylinder misfire code. So I figure since I'll change the spark plugs and ignition coil pack under the intake manifold , I might as well change the valve cover as well. Just to avoid going back there again.......I'll update on how it goes.

http://postimg.org/image/vs0iythvx/

http://postimg.org/image/xmf0zxwzl/

http://postimg.org/image/6q48p0f6v/

http://postimg.org/image/oie1dh0c7/

http://postimg.org/image/kxsjldiz9/

http://postimg.org/image/4bjw6rzd9/

I assume these are symptoms of valve cover leaking? There is oil leaking seemingly on all sides of the engine besides the left. Thought the 1qt/1000mi was the oil burning but it seems some is leaking.

hey guys I wonder if vq30de is same proceeded as vq35de?

It would be a lot more like this: https://maxima.org/forums/4th-genera...ion-guide.html

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

Grab an FSM and go at it.

Thanks for the link.
Tried FSM but no luck. I went EC or EM none of them are talking about valve cover gasket. Only show disassembly.

I'm not sure if English is your first language but try and be a little more clear as to what you're after.


What year is your car, what are you trying to do?

FSM always references gaskets or RTV.

Rocker cover gasket 13270 from CourtesyParts:



Or, begin at the bottom of EM-32
http://www.nicoclub.com/FSM/Maxima/2001/EM.pdf

1998 nissan maxima and im trying to replace valve cover gasket due oil leak. So i tried to look for how to replace for vq30de.

FSM doesnt show how to. I got the links you gave me. Thanks!

My english sucks lol.

Gravity?

LOL

Heat buildup in the rear must be extreme in the summer. At least the front gets a breeze.

I have a rear suspension issue. If you go 10mph over a speed bump, it feels like the *** end hops over the bump. Basically feels like it gets airborne. Haven't jacked up the rear, but I'm thinking stabilizer bars or something.

It's bouncy?

I really meant these engines seem to be tilted a little to the back towards the fire wall and the oil leak will flow downhill. Use to be all you had to do was snug the bolts on the covers and that would stop the leak but u cant get to all of the bolts on this car especially the back ones.

That may aid the rear, but the front leaks terribly, too (pass side, then drips onto alternator).

No, it doesn't have extra bounce or anything. It just feels like it hops. Going over bumps on the road causes a hollow sounding thud.

Sounds like the top hat is worn out big time.

Well I have driven the car for the first time in 2 months, and now I have a horrible noise. I found it's the exhaust rubbing on part of the frame. The car has an egg smell at times, and the startup rattle was worse than it's been. I hate this car.

Mine was in the back. Did u try to snug the front bolts? I think u can reach some if not all.

Did you look at the rubber hangers? Main cat is bad, what do you expect after this many years? Fix the exhaust, gut the main cat and replace the o ring in the tensioner.

I don't know why people expect completely maint free 15+ yr old cars, especially when you're not the 1st, 2nd or even 3rd owner. If it drives every day, then you're still doing better than even a lot of new cars lol.