Just got my new valve covers (pic)
#1
Just got my new valve covers (pic)
well of course my 02 valve covers leak at the sparkplug tube seals.
so i went to the dealer and picked up some fresh 04 3.5 maxima valve covers
the part numbers for 04 valve covers are:
13264-7Y000
13264-7Y010
i got them for $35 each
compared to the 02 VC for like $130 each!!!!!!
you will need to buy valve cover gaskets also,
13270-EA20A
13270-EA21A
the gaskets where around $8 each
also the new vc comes with a pcv valve so save ur $8, unlike i did order one. so i got a bran new spare now!!!
UPDATE:
Ive had these for a longggg time now, with NO Problems AT ALL!!!!
Here are most of the pics
so i went to the dealer and picked up some fresh 04 3.5 maxima valve covers
the part numbers for 04 valve covers are:
13264-7Y000
13264-7Y010
i got them for $35 each
compared to the 02 VC for like $130 each!!!!!!
you will need to buy valve cover gaskets also,
13270-EA20A
13270-EA21A
the gaskets where around $8 each
also the new vc comes with a pcv valve so save ur $8, unlike i did order one. so i got a bran new spare now!!!
UPDATE:
Ive had these for a longggg time now, with NO Problems AT ALL!!!!
Here are most of the pics
Last edited by SurraTT; 02-15-2011 at 09:16 AM.
#2
are those both front and rear valve covers? I heard its the rear that usually cracks and spits oil out. But for that price you may as well get the front one too...So the 04 one will fit on a 5.5 no problem? take some pics during the install if you can
#4
I couldn't understand the difference in $ and couldn't see how the valve cover could be different between 02 - 06. But, I believe the 02 - 03 are aluminum and the 04 - 06 are plastic - but should otherwise fit. I'll stay tuned to see how the replacement goes.
#6
If you could replace the spark plug tube grommets separately it would be just gaskets. But, the grommets are built into the valve cover, so ... new valve cover.
#7
#8
Supporting Maxima.org Member
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Location: Baton Rouge, LA
Posts: 5,432
The only notable difference between the 5th gen and 6th gen valve covers is that the gaskets that surround the spark plug chambers are a bit more rubberized on the 6th gens which allows it to fit snug and not slide up the chamber like ours do (which are made up of a harder, more plastic-like material).
I think the difference in price is due to part availability. They probably don't make the ones that came stock on the 5.5 gens anymore. I'm willing to bet that they just raised the price to rape people because they knew there was a problem, yet they use the same part as the 6th gens when the dealer replaces it. That's nissan for you.
#12
#13
the upper half of the engine (where the covers meet) is exactly the same. of course it will fit. you can change the cover...the ENGINE is still the same
#15
i think the main reason the 02 03 vc are soo expensive is that nissan knows that their is a problem so they jack up the price. im going to deeply compare my 02 to the 04 and see if there is any difference
im thinking if there is any difference its not going to matter at all.
only thing is im doing it on saterday. so thats a lil ways away.
i can wait though
im thinking if there is any difference its not going to matter at all.
only thing is im doing it on saterday. so thats a lil ways away.
i can wait though
#16
Supporting Maxima.org Member
iTrader: (3)
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Baton Rouge, LA
Posts: 5,432
Did anybody read my post? There is no physical difference in the 02-03 VCs vs. the 6th gen VCs besides the spark plug gaskets. Everything is the same. The heads are the same, the gasket is the same, (which, BTW is not built into the VC, only the small round gaskets that go around the spark plug chamber are), and it still functions exactly like your stock VC. How it's this hard to comprehend I'll never know.
#18
Did anybody read my post? There is no physical difference in the 02-03 VCs vs. the 6th gen VCs besides the spark plug gaskets. Everything is the same. The heads are the same, the gasket is the same, (which, BTW is not built into the VC, only the small round gaskets that go around the spark plug chamber are), and it still functions exactly like your stock VC. How it's this hard to comprehend I'll never know.
#20
#25
#32
http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w...0835Medium.jpg
http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w...0836Medium.jpg
http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w...0840Medium.jpg
http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w...0845Medium.jpg
http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w...0847Medium.jpg
update!!!!
finally adding the pics
hahah better late then never!!
#33
the front one seems pretty straight forward.. correct me if i'm wrong, but with the front one, you just bolt it off after you take off the engine cover and remove the spark plugs right? and for the rear one, you just take off the IM, take out the spark plugs, and the valve cover just bolts off from there right?
#34
Last edited by wyche89; 10-26-2008 at 08:49 AM.
#35
the front one seems pretty straight forward.. correct me if i'm wrong, but with the front one, you just bolt it off after you take off the engine cover and remove the spark plugs right? and for the rear one, you just take off the IM, take out the spark plugs, and the valve cover just bolts off from there right?
remove engine conver. remove coils, un attatch harnesses, unbolt vc
rear is , remove intake upper intake system, remove coils, unattatch harnesses, then undolt vc
might work but i would rather just replace the vc's
#36
Even the parts guy at Don Davis Nissan in Arlington said whenever I need to replace the valve covers to get the '04 ones. Nice to know there are parts guys who let you know what your options are.
#37
So let me ask this ... if I told you I removed the intake manifold last month to do a tune-up, would you think I could replace the valve covers and gaskets in my driveway with some help? Or is this to big a job for me?
#38
front one is cake - rear one, is a little more difficult
#40
It's still there, waiting for you...
Just resolve yourself that the engine is going to lose oil, keep dumping it in periodically....and you'll sleep better at night.
I look at it, like I'm EXTENDING my OCI's by a few thousand miles -- adding 1.5 qts between changes!!!
gr
**btw - Check your sparkplug TUBES first before you yank the front cover...if it's dry, I'd say leave it alone.
Are you losing any oil at the front of the engine?? WHere the Valve cover and block meet?? If not, also -- leave it alone.
My front VC was fine, but my rear was leaking into the tubes -- very common for us!
Last edited by ghostrider17; 09-30-2009 at 05:44 AM.