I'm a recent Maxima owner, the car has about 190k put on it. I've got a leak that is producing a burning smell and I cant quite figure out where the leak is coming from. I was thinking about starting out with valve cover seals and then maybe work on the head gasket.

Are there any other seals that I can replace that could correct this? Are any of these seals (head gasket mainly) ones that I would have to remove the engine for?

 

yes, there are plenty that would may necessitate removal of the engine. For example: rear main seal and upper oil pan gasket.

but the V/C might not be a bad place.

since you don't currently know the source of the leak, consider de-greasing your entire engine and hose everything down. After that, try to monitor the situation by putting a piece of cardboard underneath the engine and let it sit overnight. observe any fluid that might have dripped on the cardboard to leave a stain, identify the fluid type, figure out the approximate location of the oil stain to the engine, and get to work...

 

mine is doing it right now. The infamous valve cover gasket leak. it drips down the block and onto the headers/heatshields.

 

Yep. If he gets under the car he may be able to see it.

The other thing the op can do is WHEN THE ENGINE IS COLD, snake your hand down to the engine side of the rear valve cover gasket. If it is all gunked up then that's at least one place for a leak.

 

Sounds like the VC if you can smell it. Mine did the same thing, had it replaced with a 6th gen one and 7 months still in good shape. I just did my upper and lower oil pan, as well as the O-Ring behind the cooler. I think it was the cooler leaking but since the pan showed signs as well I did them all while I was in it. I'd start with the VC as well as it's a common issue