when i replaced my spark plugs i recognized that there is NO oil in the SP tubes. good advice, thanks.

 

I checked mine @60k: front bank was clean -- rear bank had oil in all three plug tubes.
Had my rear Cover changed under warranty by Nissan, but they did it with the 02-03 valve cover.

Ill likely be back in there again in less than two years.

FYI - this did NOT fix my oil consumption issue. Go figure.

gr

 

wow. thanks for the info. what a letdown.

 

Does this affect the 00 - 01 also or just the 02 - 03 because I have to change my vc gaskets and wanted to mo if it was better to put the 04 valve covers on my 2000 maxima se 5 speed

 

Enh - don't let it bother you.
It's just one of those things that the Max does...
I'll keep dumping fresh Mobil1 in the suck-hole until the motor gives up on me, or I give-up on her!

gr

 

i meant what a letdown for you.... still using oil after that repair. yeah i know things could be worse but i was excited to think i might have solved it.

 

I argued with Nissan for over a year, and the best I got was a free valve-cover replacement and a cylinder compression test, + a one year warranty extension.

Overall, I'm still worried about the long-term consequences of losing THAT much oil, and where it's going in the system.

But in general, aside from annoying things like brake judder every 15k miles -- I can't REALLY complain too much about this car.
It's been good for the past 7 yrs and 75k miles.

I'm hoping to get a few more years out of her!

gr

 

Sorry but I must ask.
Its clear that when replacing 5th Gen Rear Valve Covers/Gaskets to use the 6th Gen Valve Covers/Gaskets, but does the same apply to the front ?

 

Yep - Sure does!

Don't forget to order the GASKET for both...doesn't come incl. with the covers.

gr

**But the PCV Valve DOES come with the Cover!**

 

Replacing both valve covers for a 2002 maxima, it's as simple as removing/disconnecting all the harnesses on the intake manifold upper collector then lifting up the upper collector off the engine. Then just removing the coil packs, spark plugs and remove and replace the valve covers. Am I missing anything? I'd take a poke at doing this myself and taking photos along the way.

 

Technically - yes.
However, I watched my Nissan Tech do it FOR me, and I was glad I didn't do it meself.
Could I have done it? Yes - did I WANT to, no!! ;-)
Take your time, and make SURE you pay attention to what hoses/harnesses go where, and you SHOULD be fine!

gr

 

has anyone weighed the old ones and the new ones? I think the 6th gen's are a bit heavier. ie slightly thicker plastic than the 5th gen ones and less prone to cracking. The 5th gen ones crack on the inside allowing oil into the plug area, it isn't only the plug grommet that is different

 

+1 I noticed the same thing when examining the removed 5th cover. I think the grommets are a touch thicker(durable) also

 

....and if it hasn't been mentioned recently -- the 6th gen covers are ACTUALLY CHEAPER than the 5.5's....

Uh - anyone need a better reason to buy these?!

gr

 

yes they are almost $100 cheaper, well that was in 2007


the part numbers for the 2004 valve covers are in the first post of this thread.

 

has anyone posted a How-To on replacing the valve covers? It sounds pretty simple but i was curious if anyone posted pictures on the porcess?

 

Will the 6th gen VC's work on 2000 models? or will I have to spend $146.35 A PIECE! on new VC's

 

First of all why would you have to replace a VQ30DE-K VC they're made of aluminum...And the spark plugs seals can be purchased with a V/C gasket set, or separately! Help me understand your what you're trying to do?

 

i dont think i would feel right putting plastic valve covers under my hood ... i dunno

 

and what do you do with that...? plug it?

as im sure you know....there not made out of tupperwear plastic.

jake

 

You mean I only need to buy the VC gasket and spark plugs seals for my 2000 SE?
The plugs # 4 and 6 had a lot of oil when I changed them last month, and I was wondering what to do?
If that is the way to go, can someone tell me ( is there a write up) on how to change VC gaskets and the plugs seals on a 2000.
Thanks

 

this thread is mean for 02-03 maximas. in case you didnt know you ahve the same body but different engine. 02-03's have 3.5l and you have a 3.0l so your valve covers are different. and if you are getting oil in your sparks then I would get new covers but I dont know for sure never had that problem with my 97 or 96.

 

Yes you can do it in your driveway. Get a haynes manual and you should be fine.

 

Removing the VC's should be easy if one can remove the uim. There's a lot more stuff to deal with removing the uim. Once it's out of the way the VC should be straight forward. Just make sure the surfaces are clean with no gasket material left behind b4 installing the new one. Do be carefull scraping-it's aluminum.

 

thinking of changing mine since the plugs have 87k on them.

 

Yeah, next they'll be making the intake runners out of plastic.

 

I saw that on a Taurus.

 

95-2001 Valve covers and spark plugs seals are purchaseable over the parts counter...3.5L valve cover gaskets are available but not the spark plug tube seals, they're built in the valve cover and plastic welded in by an entire tray!

You only need a valve cover gasket set with involves the (2) gaskets and (6) tube seals

Get yourself an maintenance manual
Sarcasism I hope?

I saw that everyway I looked 10 yrs ago....one day they will have plastic engine blocks!

 

Just got rear valve cover, gasket and plenum gasket from DAVEB. Planning on changing the plugs while in there(155k miles). Anything else to check or replace while in there? The vc gasket/seal is like an o-ring/rubber material. I assume it doesn't need rtv like the old paper type gaskets from the 70's musclecars I grew up with? If any one has any tips or suggestions please offer them. I plan on starting this on monday. I am off for the next 2 weeks so I figured I would tackle this myself.

 

Glad I found this thread last week when my '03 SE had oil in the rear plug nearest driver side. I just hit 100K and decided to do some much needed maint and plugs were on the list. The oil find was a kick in the teeth for a few minutes until I came into Maxima.org and found I was not alone. It was nice to know the '04 cover fits the '03 without a problem and I can confirm, it certainly does. The Nissan dealer parts counter blinked twice at me when I asked for an 04 part while my 03 was sitting outside. They never tried to steer me off of buying the 04 which also led me to believe that they knew that I knew about their little "scam". It is about a $90 difference. I had no oil issue in the front bank of spark plugs so I left the cover as is. Other than the big cloud of oil smoke at startup, the fix/replace of the valve cover was pretty smooth and straight forward. Not as easy as my old 4 cyl VW/Honda/Acura Integra days but well within reach of the slightly more than casual mechanic.

 

so does any one know how to replace the valve cover gasket ,spark plugs,and the intake manifold gasket on a 2003 need help please

 

are there part numbers for the gaskets? or will they know which ones to get when you order the valve covers?

 

edited for being wrong

 

thanks suratt for your pm response. however, there was a post on this thread saying the gaskets DON'T come with the valve covers. i'm confused...

 

oh lol i see now , i actually said they dont.


i really dont remember if they do or not.


now im confused

 

No gaskets come with the VC's. You will have to order them as well.

 

thx i just went n found my receipt! haha



so the valve covers do NOT NOT NOT come with gaskets!!

 

the gaskets are about $8 each

 

thanks. FYI the part numbers for the gaskets are 13270-EA20A and 13270-EA21A.

ordered the valve covers and gaskets. cost me $101. with shipping

 

just changed the coils yesterday and found oil again in one of the tubes and little in another one with the 6th gen covers.
Start to think this is from blow by. I just put some good silicone around the seal in between te cover and tube. Let's see if that holds for more than a year
Just something to think about as i don't think anyone rechecked it after the swap