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Is it a MUST to do grommets and spark plugs seals when doing Valve Cover gaskets ?

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Old Jun 23, 2008 | 10:08 AM
  #1  
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Is it a MUST to do grommets and spark plugs seals when doing Valve Cover gaskets ?

For my 5.5 Gen, i am getting the front and rear Valve covers replaced. I have the Valve Cover gaskets, and the reason for this adventure is oil in a couple of the plugs.

My question is, do i need the Spark Plugs seal/ O rings also. Is it the same thing as Spark Plug tube seal ? Or is it something which is builtin into the valve covers ? I was told by my mechanic that if i only did the o-rings it will be enough to stop oil pouring into plugs (it wasnt huge amount of oil anyways), but Nissan local Stealership said they dont have anything such as Spark Plugs O Rings, and its all park of the valve cover gasket.

Any other part that i should replace ? I have seen posts for TB and IACV gaskets, but i dont feel like paying someone to do all that on top of this fiasco at the moment. Once i start working again, that will be done

Thanks guys.
Old Jun 23, 2008 | 10:47 AM
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YES Its a must, Do it now so you wont have to do it later, Its A Piece of Mind.
Old Jun 23, 2008 | 10:53 AM
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So is this what i ask at the dealership:

1. Spark Plug Tube Seals
2. Valve Cover Grommets

Or should i phrase it somehow else. This lady that works in parts at my dealership shows me computer screen and goes, What do you want from this diagram ???

Im thinking ot ask her next time, Are you going to pay me if i tell you want i want ? LMAO

Originally Posted by Professor`
YES Its a must, Do it now so you wont have to do it later, Its A Piece of Mind.
Old Jun 23, 2008 | 11:44 AM
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UPDATE::

So i went to dealership again, and i am told, " Sir, everything you need is built-in into the valve cover itself"

I had ordered 04 valve cover from Dave B, for my 03 maxima. ( i was pointed in this direction by org posts and members, becuase 04 covers have saved me $225 )

If anyone has the parts number for Spark Plugs Tube seals and Valve Cover grommets, pelase let me know. Also advise me if its something i can get from Autozone.

Secondly,

After taking Intake Manifold off, i noticed valve cover issue while doing spark plugs. Now, since i was waiting for parts to come in, i had just put the manifold back at its place WITHOUT screwing it in. It has rained here, and although i had the engine bay covered with a piece fo cloth, there is still dampness and moisture there.... Is that something i should be concerned about ?????

Thanks
Old Jun 23, 2008 | 12:07 PM
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just let it dry before you start it and make sure there isnt water in the oil.
Old Jun 23, 2008 | 12:59 PM
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The spark plug tube seals are part of the 5.5 gen valve cover...you cannot order them separately. I'm not sure what you mean by valve cover grommets.

As for the moisture, did you have the valve cover gasket in place? Was the hood closed? How much water got into the head?

As long as it's only a misting, that should burn off when you restart the car.
Old Jun 23, 2008 | 03:34 PM
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[QUOTE=2002 Maxima SE;6481414]The spark plug tube seals are part of the 5.5 gen valve cover...you cannot order them separately. I'm not sure what you mean by valve cover grommets.
QUOTE]



Didn't I already cover ALL of this with you already???

gr
Old Jun 24, 2008 | 06:22 AM
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Second opinion always helps.
Old Jun 24, 2008 | 06:25 AM
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Well - maybe he will get it sorted finally.
Godspeed.

gr
Old Jun 24, 2008 | 06:26 AM
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3.5 plastic valve covers do not use grommets on the bolts like the metal covers on the 3.0 engine.
Old Jun 24, 2008 | 07:36 AM
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Ghostrider, i appreciate your help. That post was becuase i was in panic mode hearing that i need 400 bux at my local nissan for the valve coers and gaskets. Dave B rescued me, and ofcourse credit goes to you for suggesting me in the right direction to get 04 valve covers, which is what i did.

Now if you just look up, there are ppl on org who mention doing those tube seals, like this one person in this thread few posts up. I take it thats perhaps for 4th gen or previous generations. But for a newbie who knows zilch about cars, its very easy to get confused.

Like i said, i respected your opinion and actually went that way. So it wasnt that i was doubting you, just that it seemed slightly different topic to ask. Plus who knows we get more org'ers like me in near future

Ghostrider, if you ever come to boston, PM me a few days before, your coffee or lunch is on me

Thanks you all guys. Just waiting to get the car back now. There isnt any water in the hood. Just some condensation or little heavy moisture in the engine bay closer to the vipers region. The valve covers were still closed and sealed. Only Intake Manifold was taken off, which like i mentioned before wasnt removed. It was at its original place, just without the screws bolted in.


Thanks a bunch.


[QUOTE=ghostrider17;6481656]
Originally Posted by 2002 Maxima SE
The spark plug tube seals are part of the 5.5 gen valve cover...you cannot order them separately. I'm not sure what you mean by valve cover grommets.
QUOTE]



Didn't I already cover ALL of this with you already???

gr
Old Jun 25, 2008 | 08:34 AM
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any luck? I'm about to take the same adventure after finding oil in #5 cylinder on my 03 6sp. The weird thing was the parts person at dealer gave me a price of $58 for the rear valve cover and $9.56 for the gasket and they aren't in stock. I gave her my VIN number just in case and she came back saying it's actually $170 for the cover and $14.50 for the gasket for my VIN number. And she did ask me if I'm a body shop and I said no.


[QUOTE=hassanqadir;6482495]Ghostrider, i appreciate your help. That post was becuase i was in panic mode hearing that i need 400 bux at my local nissan for the valve coers and gaskets. Dave B rescued me, and ofcourse credit goes to you for suggesting me in the right direction to get 04 valve covers, which is what i did.

Now if you just look up, there are ppl on org who mention doing those tube seals, like this one person in this thread few posts up. I take it thats perhaps for 4th gen or previous generations. But for a newbie who knows zilch about cars, its very easy to get confused.

Like i said, i respected your opinion and actually went that way. So it wasnt that i was doubting you, just that it seemed slightly different topic to ask. Plus who knows we get more org'ers like me in near future

Ghostrider, if you ever come to boston, PM me a few days before, your coffee or lunch is on me

Thanks you all guys. Just waiting to get the car back now. There isnt any water in the hood. Just some condensation or little heavy moisture in the engine bay closer to the vipers region. The valve covers were still closed and sealed. Only Intake Manifold was taken off, which like i mentioned before wasnt removed. It was at its original place, just without the screws bolted in.


Thanks a bunch.


Old Jun 25, 2008 | 10:48 AM
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Yup LUCK HERE> Dont buy the 03 Maxima valve cover, like sugested. Go with a 04 Valve cover. I got it for 36.xx or so from Dave B each (front and back). And like mentioned above, you dont need to buy anything else, besides plugs. Now we are known to have bad coil packs, and i had a random misfire, but i didnt do my coils yet. They seem to be fine.

Yes, gaskets are just about the same price and 04 covers fit perfect. Comes with new PCV valve too, i had already bought one for freaking 20 bux from nissan.

[QUOTE=ypl102;6484597]any luck? I'm about to take the same adventure after finding oil in #5 cylinder on my 03 6sp. The weird thing was the parts person at dealer gave me a price of $58 for the rear valve cover and $9.56 for the gasket and they aren't in stock. I gave her my VIN number just in case and she came back saying it's actually $170 for the cover and $14.50 for the gasket for my VIN number. And she did ask me if I'm a body shop and I said no.
Old Jun 25, 2008 | 11:51 AM
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Hassangadir, thanks, so how to I access this Dave B source? I only need the firewall side cover for now and I'll probably just pick it up from dealer if the 04 part is only $58 and it's exactly the same as the $152 part for 03 . .. what a rip off

Since I replaced the #5 plug the other day, I've been feeling the misfire but it hasn't generate a single ecu code yet.

good luck with your coils, keep us updated.

[QUOTE=hassanqadir;6484805]Yup LUCK HERE> Dont buy the 03 Maxima valve cover, like sugested. Go with a 04 Valve cover. I got it for 36.xx or so from Dave B each (front and back). And like mentioned above, you dont need to buy anything else, besides plugs. Now we are known to have bad coil packs, and i had a random misfire, but i didnt do my coils yet. They seem to be fine.

Yes, gaskets are just about the same price and 04 covers fit perfect. Comes with new PCV valve too, i had already bought one for freaking 20 bux from nissan.

Originally Posted by ypl102
any luck? I'm about to take the same adventure after finding oil in #5 cylinder on my 03 6sp. The weird thing was the parts person at dealer gave me a price of $58 for the rear valve cover and $9.56 for the gasket and they aren't in stock. I gave her my VIN number just in case and she came back saying it's actually $170 for the cover and $14.50 for the gasket for my VIN number. And she did ask me if I'm a body shop and I said no.
Old Jun 25, 2008 | 12:11 PM
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Originally Posted by ypl102
how to I access this Dave B source?
888-254-6060, ask for Dave Burnette.
Old Jun 27, 2008 | 11:03 PM
  #16  
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So here is the link to my CORE ISSUE thread. Ill really appreciate positive opinions on that side:

http://forums.maxima.org/5th-generat...und-14mpg.html

As for my valve covers, that issue seems to be Settled for now. But this gas will kill me. Same question to you guys, that i asked at the end of that thread, shoudl i go after Knock sensor now since i heard that can kill mileage and wont show the code or injectors ?

Thanks
Old Nov 4, 2011 | 08:33 AM
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Will this solution work for '02 Maxima 3.5 SE?

I have the same issue with my 2002 Maxima SE. Had a leak that fried my rear coils, so I am already replacing those and wanted to save some money here. I have found the '02 valve cover for about 120 + shipping online, but want to know if I can just use the '04 version and save more.

Does anyone know if the '02 version is close enough for this to work?
Old Nov 4, 2011 | 08:39 AM
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Originally Posted by Wes Mantooth
I have the same issue with my 2002 Maxima SE. Had a leak that fried my rear coils, so I am already replacing those and wanted to save some money here. I have found the '02 valve cover for about 120 + shipping online, but want to know if I can just use the '04 version and save more.

Does anyone know if the '02 version is close enough for this to work?
When people replace the Valve covers on the 5.5 gen they use 6th gen VCs.....so 04 versions work fine on the 02-03 Maxima. I would stay away from 02-03 valve covers....thats the reason people replacing them in the first place, they have flaws.
Old Nov 4, 2011 | 08:49 AM
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Awesome! Thank you sir!
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