Grand_hustle17

iTrader: (22)

So i had one of the techs at the dealership just lightly checked under the hood, said he noticed oil leak at the rear valve cover and said i might just have to replace the gaskets... Anyone knows of a ball park figure on how much this should run if i should do it outside the dealership or just paying one of them on the side??? and how hard of a job would this be???.....oh and any reputable place to get the gaskets from???

skidz88

iTrader: (1)

Extremely common problem. Get an 04+ valve cover, problem solved. While the intake manifold is off, might as well do plugs. If you have extra cash, do NWP spacers as well.

pmohr

iTrader: (26)

You're right around Bmore, right?

Take it to Frank at Hill's Garage.

AllData says 3.5 hours for rear bank, which seems to0 high. It lists 1.1 for the front bank, which is definitely way too high.

Expect a few hours of labor at whatever hourly rate the shop charges.

Gaskets from anywhere, really. If you want OEM, order from Dave B.

pmohr

iTrader: (26)

The A34 valve covers fix the plug tube seal problems, but I've seen nothing that says they seal better to the head. That just takes a good gasket and the proper torque on the VC bolts.

Grand_hustle17

iTrader: (22)

Hmm that sounds like a plan....... i am not that close to Bmore but its not that far away either

Grand_hustle17

iTrader: (22)

Does this looks like the part???

Stormzusmc

iTrader: (17)

just had all mine done.....i was charged 800 for parts and labor of install of spacers, vias removal, along with replacement of valve cover, 3 coils and the time it took to do all of them......overcharged a bit but i dont mind helping out a local performance shop

Grand_hustle17

iTrader: (22)

man my heart just dropped when you said $800 i could just get intake spacers and this fixes the problem too huh???

pmohr

iTrader: (26)

Correct.

However if you have an extra ~$50, get the A34 rear valve cover from Dave B as skidz88 said. Consider it preventative maintenance. It'll come with a gasket and PCV valve.

Stormzusmc

iTrader: (17)

no....they replace your stock manifold gaskets.... if your valve cover is leaking into your coils youll need to replace the whole cover not just the oring thats built in there...and it would be a good idea to replace the coil that is most likely soaked in oil

you might as well do them if you have the manifold off...and do plugs at the same time...so if you decide to do one of those later you wont have to pay for labor to take all of it off again

pmohr

iTrader: (26)

Damn. I would do it for a 12 pack and a pack of cigs

Then again I do it for the fun, not the money.

No, but you'll have the UIM off anyway, so you could do the spacers at the same time.

pmohr

iTrader: (26)

The question is, is it leaking around the VC gasket, or into the plug tubes?

You said he just 'looked' into your engine bay, and you obviously can't tell a plug tube seal leak without removing the UIM and the coils (normally number 6).

Stormzusmc

iTrader: (17)

yeah he cant tell from looking at it with it on....they found my valve cover rings leaking while doing it...

Grand_hustle17

iTrader: (22)

i saw this on partstrain.com for $10, so ur saying $60 bucks and a quick paypal to Dave B and thats the parts i need???.... yea he just lighly looked in there, would you normally get a code if it was leaking in the plug tubes??? cause theres no codes if it does throw a code... how much would you charge to do this???

pmohr

iTrader: (26)

If you get the rear valve cover from Dave B, it comes with the gasket and a new PCV valve.

I would just charge in alcohol, but I'm in TN for a while.

You wouldn't necessarily get a code, only if it soaks the coil badly enough to cause a good misfire.

Grand_hustle17

iTrader: (22)

aww man, when do you get back??? i can get you whichever alcohol, pssh i could also help u with the alcohol lls might get me a bottle also now that u speak of it... how much would ur buddy frank charge???...

pmohr

iTrader: (26)

Not for a month or more, probably.

Frank would probably charge 2 or 3 hours at shop rate. Don't really want to speak for what he'd charge though, as I have no idea. Give him a call, I think he closes up shop at 5.

Grand_hustle17

iTrader: (22)

PM me the number... hopefully this fixes the leak

pmohr

iTrader: (26)

http://forums.maxima.org/washington-...-mechanic.html

2002 Maxima SE

iTrader: (3)

That is the valve cover gasket but it is not the part that leaks. The leak comes from the gasket for the spark plug tubes and are not replaceable. You must use a new gasket cover.

2000-2001 had replaceable spark plug tube gaskets.
2002+ do not

Grand_hustle17

iTrader: (22)

thanks

02MAXZIMA

iTrader: (3)

if you drive down Manassas. i could order the parts from work and then do them for you

2002 Maxima SE

iTrader: (3)

He asked about a leak on the valve cover. On this model Maxima, it's common to originate from the spark plug tube seal.

Why would you think this is occurring at the valve cover gasket and not the spark plug tube?

When mine went, it was leaking into the tube and down the back of the valve cover.

2002 Maxima SE

iTrader: (3)

Do you need a towel to cry into?

If you were a Nissan tech, you should know the common weak point of the valve cover in this year model.

pmohr

iTrader: (26)

I'm done with you.

denny_1986

iTrader: (1)

ehh sorry to break the argument guyz ^^^^^ but can a leaking gasket cause pinging?

RobertColianni

When ordering the A34 VC, do I order the A33B VC Gasket or the A34 VC Gasket?

The6spdMax

iTrader: (23)

A34

Grand_hustle17

iTrader: (22)

they both worked... seeing as though they fit the same... interchangeable... either or

ranmas2004

iTrader: (2)

Ghustle you have the 3.0 right not the 3.5L?? If you got the 3.0L I dont know if the 6th gen VCs will fit, but they will on the 5.5Gen. That shyt easy to replace. I don't know about the 5th gen but the I would do it myself if I wasn't taking the car to get tuned and hooked up soon. I bought 6th Gen Valve covers with the gaskets. I paid about $50-$60 each VC with gaskets included on eBAY. I would buy new bolts if I were you...mine are all corroded. You need 10 bolts on each VC on the 3.5L, 20 factory Nissan bolts were around $60 (about $2.85/bolt). I dont think you need to remove the Manifold to get to the VCs on the 3.0L but the 3.5L you have to remove it. Replace the plugs while you at it. They are easy on the 3.0L never did 3.5L yet. Its an easy job you should be able to do it no problem. Follow the tightening sequence in the FSM and DONT overtighten those bolts....they dont require that much torque at all basically a snug hand tightening.

NmexMAX

iTrader: (22)

This thread was created when Hustle had his 5.5 gen.

ranmas2004

iTrader: (2)

OH crap......did not even look at that. Sorry.

RobertColianni

So the front VC from the A34 probably fits, too, yeah? The material used for the A34 is much lighter.

NmexMAX

iTrader: (22)

It works on the 02+, tons of info on that on this board. But why would it be lighter? Cheaper, yes, more reliable, yes, lighter...

TunerMaxima3000

iTrader: (4)

Are you freaking serious?

RobertColianni

Yup. Different material. Lighter material. Total fact. Point is, for $50.00 I can have new ones and get them powder coated so that I can actually see my leak next time.

TunerMaxima3000

iTrader: (4)

Who cares what it weighs? Whether it's lighter or heavier makes no diference in the decision of which to buy. I have to hear an explaination on why you think weight savings on a valve cover makes a hair of difference