So today, I pull the Max over out pit for a routine LOF. Upon draining the oil, I notice fluid coming from the rear top of the engine. Looking closely, I notice oil dribbling from the right side of the rear valve cover. Keep in mind that, a few months prior, both power steering hoses were replaced and there were no more leaks after that point. Anyway, I go back up and look inside the engine bay and notice oil on top of the rear valve cover. Great!! Tube seals. I go back down and start changing the filter.
As my sight moves to the left side of the block, I notice a light coolant stream coming from the freeze plug on the rear cylinder head (one of the easiest ones to replace). As I investigate further, I notice that the leak is actually coming from the water outlet that sits right underneath the freeze plug and travels from the rear head to the front.
I then say "screw it". At that point, I call up the local Nissan dealership and order:

- 6th generation rear valve cover and gasket (the cover comes with new tube seals)

- New gaskets for both ends of water outlet housing.

Total parts cost = $62.32
Total labor cost = $0

I went ahead and tackled the coolant leak 1st. Took me about two hours to R&R that damn housing. This weekend, I will yank the plenum off and R&R the valve cover. Still debating whether or not to replace the coils while I'm there (67K miles)

Anyway, how did your days go?

 

Coils should stay. Shouldn't have issues with those. Do they have the gray dots? Rear VC is soooo freekin common. I had to do it too. Did you call DaveB??? He has a great price for .org members. AWESOME dude to deal with.

 

I spoke with Mr. Burnette earlier in the day. He was $10 more than what I payed. I work in the industry, therefore, get parts at wholesale. His cost was great!! But with shipping, it didn't make sense to go that route.

What's with the gray dots?

 

ooooo I see. The Gray dot is the "updated" version of the coils.

 

I will check into it. Is the dot on top of the coil pack or what?

 

yup. More like an oval

 

Just replaced the rear valve cover today. The whole process took about 2 hours. What seriously took the longest was cleaning the old Permatex Gray off the UIM phenolic gasket.

 

For the record, I had the exact same Issue with the rear gasket of the outlet pipe (Item 17). Pretty easy to change, I recommend buying nuts (Item 10) and studs (Item 12) when performing that job.



You also may want to replace the seal Item 7 and the nut Item 8 from the following picture as your going to have to remove it to acces the outlet pie.

 

Yeah..Already replaced those coolant pipe gaskets a while ago

 

Dude, I think I have the same exact problem. Thanks for creating this thread and pointing me in the right direction. My mechanic saw the leak from under the car and thinks it's the head gasket. From the top, it looks a LOT like the rear tube seal that sits directly above the head.

 

So far I've had good luck with FelPro gaskets making a good seal. I like the red material used on the inner seal. Not that there is anything wrong with OEM though.
I would use OEM o-rings since it is way hard to find the right size anywhere else.

It seems to be in the preparation as to the likelihood for a post installation leak with any seal or gasket.