Is the oil in the spark chamber due to bad seal around the coil or bad valve cover gasket???
It was filled with oil when I pulled the coil out; the cylinder in rear bank, closest to throttle body.

anyone with recent experience?

 

valve cover, get the 04 ones from dave.

 

Cool, thanks. I just found that tip in another post.
someone else with this same problem purchased a new valve cover and also put some RTV around the holes. I guess for extra insurance. Anyone else do this in addition to a new valve cover?

No fitment issues w/ an '04 valve cover? And I don't need to worry about the seal around the coil as well??

 

I have the same problem. Did you have any knocking sound from the engine around 2K rpm? I hoping a new 04 valve cover will get rid of the knocking...

 

I haven't been inside of the 5th gen's but on most cars... oil in the coil means that it's a bad seal around the specific coil. You'll have to replace the rubber ring seals most likely. I got all 6 for a 95 toyota for about 25 bucks. Damn Dealerships.

 

do you have a sound clip?
leaking valve cover won't produce noise.

 

Who's dave???

 

http://forums.maxima.org/276461-post6.html

http://forums.maxima.org/members/daveb.html

 

I did have the notorious pinging around 2k... but a valve cover won't cause a pinging. I'm doing intake spacers and new plugs, 1 step colder, as some have recommended; we'll see if that helps.

 

No sound clip, but I would say it's more of a knocking sound than pinging. I'm replacing the valve cover, gasket, and spark plugs tomorrow. Hopefully that will quiet it down.

It's weird though, the knocking doesn't happen all the time around 2k rpm. It usually happens on really hot days and frequent engine restarts.

 

I have the same problem with my 2002 maxima #5 spark hole filled with oil how difficult to change valve cover gasket Thanks

 

what you guys have to do is take off your valve cover and change the ings inside the valve over its a seal so you wont leak oil through the chamber its not hard to do at all but i recommend that if you take off you valve cover change the valve cover gasket also and use some RTV sealant

 

What spacifically must one buy to do this fix? any part numbers?

 

man, i bought an 04 valve cover, installed it with RTV and all that stuff, and there's still oil in my spark plug chamber.. waste of money for me

 

How much are we talking for the valve cover? what does the cover include a single gasket or other stuff with that?

 

wow...the valve cover isn't leaking so why replace that?
replacing the valve cover gasket won't fix the oil in plug tube. that's what the spark plug seals are for. get a full vc gasket kit and get to work. the plug tube seals don't come out easily so might want to buy/rent a seal puller.

just like #12 post said.

 

[IMG]file:///C:/DOCUME%7E1/DANIEL%7E1/LOCALS%7E1/Temp/moz-screenshot-1.jpg[/IMG]So what would i need from here... Sorry I just can't picture all of this...

 

go to a parts store and order a valve cover gasket set - you'll get new vc gaskets, spark plug tube seals and the upper intake manifold gasket - i paid $50 for a set like that from felpro. then replace those parts.

 

The spark plug tube seals are not changeable on the 2k2, 2k3 Maximas. You must buy the whole new valve cover and valve cover gasket, and it comes with a new PCV valve too. You could get away with reusing the UIM gasket, but you should still get a new one.

 

but when buying the valve cover buy the 04 one and save yourself a buttload of cash. 5th gens notorious for oil in the 5th bank.
call daveb the parts guy at southpoint

 

you guys got screwed on that one...and i learned something.

 

Probably the tube seals leaking. Replace the valve cover and you will be ok. Check if the plug also has oil on it and replace it accordingly.

 

Not true


This newbie knows more than you.

 

yep

back to my 4th gen...

 

Anyone know about what a new valve cover costs? Someone mentioned the 04 is cheaper than the 03. Can anyone tell me the cost of each? Any mods need to be done to use the 04 and does it use the same gasket? I just bought the gasket set tonight.

 

From the Nissan dealer, get the 04 valve cover it's 38 bucks. Also buy the VC gasket, 7 bucks.

 

valve cover shouldn't be to labor intensive.

 

I paid $68 from Nissan for a 5.5 gen rear valve cover + $9 for the gasket.

I will be changing it this coming week end...

 

04 is the same but has no leak problems like the 02-03 did. Plus it is cheaper.
No mods necessary, just get the 04 to fix this known issue.

 

Here in Canada 04 valve cover, I believe they go for 65.00 at the dealership and 10.00 for the gasket, there is no modification required mine was a direct fit. The problem with the 03 version is actually inside it develops hair line cracks that are not overly visible but it allows the oil to leak through, the 04 version is made of a bit heaver plastic which solves this issue. Yes the 03 version actually costs 20-30.00 bucks more than the 04.

 

mine leaked a little even with the 04 cover after a year or so...
Put some silicone around the tube while installed and let's hope it'll hold

 

Is this a really big deal? Will it kill fuel economy and stuff?

 

nope not unless blows out or floods coil and you missfire. You would get check engine light on

 

So I had oil on my rear 2 two plugs when I changed plugs 2 months ago, but the car has been running great and pulling strong. Soo is it worthwhile to buy the cover and gasket or just spend that money towards springs

 

I bought 2 of the 04 valve covers .. Getting my 02 max changed out.

 

Figured id throw this question on the valve cover thread and since it was recently updated. I was looking on 1stnissanparts.com and they dont state part #s for theVC they state Left or Right. So im assuming the rear VC would be considered the RH side. Anyone know for sure?

This is what the screen looks like

Browsing Items 1 to 4 of 4Pages 1 Valve cover, Gasket Left GASKET-ROCKER C List Price : $9.15
Your Price : $6.59 Quantity:
Valve cover, Gasket Right GASKET-ROCKER C List Price : $8.50
Your Price : $6.12 Quantity:
Valve cover, Valve cover Left COVER ASSY-VALV List Price : $49.02
Your Price : $35.29 Quantity:
Valve cover, Valve cover Right COVER ASSY-VALV List Price : $51.48
Your Price : $37.07 Quantity:
Browsing Items 1 to 4 of 4Pages 1 Catalog Note: LH or Left = Driver Side; RH or Right = Passenger Side

 

Not sure if this is correct, i am about to drive up there and check, but the advance auto parts near my house says it sells as a set (VC and VC gasket) for 18 bucks... will post again if it is legit.

 

They don't know what the hell they are talking about... Dumb a$$ advance auto parts associate told me the same thing when I was looking for a valve cover and it's only the gasket...

 

Yep... you were right. I even asked 3 times before heading up there. Oh and the reason i asked 3 times was because my car was pulled apart and my only option was to drive my "summer car" when the roads were all nasty. so pissed.

bright side is the nissan dealer is going to order one in by saturday. gasket and cover they wanted $89+18... i asked if they could help me out and the new total was $60 total!

not too bad.