So after the recent thread on the mostly rave reviews of the NWP VIAS Plate, I decided to install one. When installing I found an oil puddle in the air chamber-not sure exactly what it's called. Car has 145k on it and I just picked it up about a month ago. It does use some oil, not sure how much as I haven't put many miles on it yet. Does this mean I needs a new valve cover gasket? I read the 04 gasket works better. Thanks for any input.

 

Unfortunately a new rear VC may not even fix your problem. See this thread:

http://forums.maxima.org/5th-generat...nsumption.html

 

Oil in the manifold like that is usually an indication that your PCV valves are stopped up, or getting there. I'd try cleaning out your PCV valves first, and if the puddling issue doesn't clear up, it may be something more serious.

Remember that there will always be SOME oil in the manifold because the engine has lines that collect the blow-by and suck it into the engine to be burned up (that's what the PCV valves are there for). But if you have a serious puddle in the IM, then you might want to start out with your valve covers.

 

My 4AT 5.5 gen was using a quart of oil every 1500'ish miles and I didn't have nearly that much oil in my intake when I put the block plate on. I had put a new PCV on it the year before, maybe that helped.

 

Replaced the PCV valve today, it was caked in oil and looked clogged. Thanks for the tip Scott. We'll see if that fixes the issue. Should I clean the plenum or just leave as is?
On a side note, I love the smooth accelerating that the VIAS delete provides. Didn't feel a loss of power and seems to accelerate without jerkyness.

 

You keep saying that, like there's more than one.

 

You can change the pcv valve and valve covers till you are blue in the face, you will never stop the oil from getting in there. Unless this works...

link ---> http://forums.maxima.org/5th-generat...nsumption.html

 

I'd wipe it out with a microfiber cloth you never intend to use again.

I agree on the smoothness, power delivery is more linear even though I did notice some minor loss of power from 2800-3800 at times, like when I'd hit the gas and whatever gear it dropped to put me in the 2800-3800 rpm range.

I think some of the improvement in smoothness has to do with the fact our cars are at least 8 years old now and the vacuum lines are starting to deteriorate and cannisters aren't holding vacuum as well as when new.

 

What? No. The "improvement" is because you lose low-end torque and gain high-end HP, so the transition is more noticeable. Ergo, butt-dyno happiness.

 

I meant in smoothness, not power, thought that was pretty clear.

 

My bad. Reading > me, sometimes. Smoothness... yes indeed. The VIAS-delete is a much more smooth experience than having the valve open up and kicking in. I much prefer the way the car performs without the VIAS.

 

place an oil catch can inline on your pcv line. and just dump the can when full

 

I replaced the PCV valve and that seemed to help. I need to check it again, but I'll wait on doing that until I do the plugs next week.

 

Yeah... do that... the Oil catch can works well if installed correctly.