akim1220

I am in the process of changing my spark plugs. I changed the front 3 and took off the controller to do the back 3. When I pulled out the middle ignition coil, a little bit of oil squirted out and the ignition coil was covered in oil. I have a couple of questions listed below. I need the car up and running by Monday morning at the latest.

1. Can I just replace the spark plug and ignition coil with the oil in the chamber? 2. Do I have to remove all the oil before replacing the spark plug?
3. How serious is the problem?
4. What could be causing oil to get into the chamber or is that normal when a spark plug stops working?


TIA!!!

chrome91

iTrader: (1)

oil with the plugs usually means your valvecover gaskets are leaking. not exactly the end of the world, you dont have to remove all the oil. just wipe off the coil and do what you can. its fine to drive it for a while, but i would look into replacing the gaskets in the next month before the leak worsens

Chris Gregg

iTrader: (59)

You cannot replace the spark plug tube gaskets, they are made into the vavle cover itself.

OP: Assuming we are talking about the 5.5gen (3.5), you will have to purchase a 2004+ (6th gen) rear valve cover and the gasket (really doesn't matter which gasket, but probably go ahead and just get the one for the 2004. There was a design change which supposedly corrected the propensity for the 5.5 gen covers to leak. Most importantly, the 2004+ valve cover is significantly cheaper than the 5.5gen unit. Win - Win!

You do NOT have to replace the coil. The new plugs will still be fine once you get around to changing the cover. When doing the rear cover, will be a great opportunity to install some phenolic intake spacers and BOP!

m_ouwerkerk

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I thought that there was a sleeve on the tube, and that sleeve actually sits on the inside of the valve cover. I had mine drop down once when I didn't quite do a compression test right, and it blew it down a bit. An absolute nightmare to move it up again - I had to fashion a small piece of wire with a hook on the end and pull it up, then twist the hook flat to get the wire out - took an hour or so to get it up high enough.

Anyway, if that sleeve is down, you'll get oil in the spark plug tube. Worth checking.

Fakie J Farkerton

iTrader: (51)

^^you're wrong if we are talking the 3.5 here..

akim1220

Thanks all for the advice. I plan to change out the valve covers and gaskets but am having trouble finding parts. I need the car up and running asap so I may have to change those later...

Just so that I am clear, I just have to clean up as much of the oil as possible that is in the one chamber. Then I can change the spark plug and put everything back together and should be running fine minus the oil leaking.

george__

iTrader: (1)

^
Is this the 3.5 or 3.0 engine?

If 3.5... I was told the Gen 6 valve covers would work and they did... Supposedly they are better. Doing it now would mean no need to dismantle everything again .

akim1220

Sorry, it is a 3.5.

I would definitely like to change the valve cover now to but I have to have the car running by tomorrow early morning. Unfortunately none of the dealerships around me has the part in stock and will not be until Tuesday until they get the part in.

george__

iTrader: (1)

^
http://www.cardomain.com/ridepost/12...Nissan-Maxima/

have fun

The_Fixer

iTrader: (1)

Whatever you do Just Dont Follow george_ advise search his threads for the reason why.

But anyway the answer to your question is Use the 6th gen valve covers they have been fixed to prevent the issue and they are 1/3rd the price of 5th gen VC's the 6th gen vc is $35 and the gasket is $9

Phantasm

You can get the gaskets for your existing valve cover form autozone or oreilly or whoever today. $20 for both sides (Tyipally sold in pairs). You'll also want a tube of good RTV gasket sealant (mine was grey FWIW). You need to apply that in the tight little 180 degree corners to ensure you get a good seal there.
I also applied a little RTV on each ring at the top of the valve cover to re-seal the valvecover to the tubes. They have no replaceable gasket, but you can certainly close the gap to seal what is there right?


Since I did this job in Oct 13 it has been leak free. If you want to upgrade to 2004+ covers you can do so on your timeline, this will get you a leak free car for a good while in the interim.
$30 for parts and you can be on the road Monday.

akim1220

So I just ended up changing the spark plugs. Family emergency came up and needed to get to the hospital. Unfortunately, the check engine light is still on/flashing and the car feels like it is misfiring. I only changed the ignition coils on the rear plugs. Hopefully it's just a bad ignition coil in the front (I am at 178k miles and don't think they have ever been changed). Hoping I can get the codes pulled within the next copule days to get a clearer picture of what's wrong.

I am going to change the valve cover and gasket within the next 2 weeks and will be going to go with the '04 parts. I can't wait to take off the intake manifold controller again!

Chris Gregg

iTrader: (59)

Contact Tricities Nissan for parts pricing. Contact info at www.nissanpartsasap.com and tell them your from the forums.

george__

iTrader: (1)

check for air leaks too

Fakie J Farkerton

iTrader: (51)

STOP GIVING ADVISE GEORGE.

Stick to asking questions and ruining your Maxima.

ShocknAwe

iTrader: (3)

^lol I love the .org

Oil on the plugs will cause serious misfires and ruin your plugs so I would hop on changing them ASAP. Yes, you can replace the tube seals, pry them out and fit in the new ones. Rubber cant be built into metal lol. Might as well replace the valve cover gaskets while you are there or definitely stick new RTV in the corners before re-install as that is where they leak from.

ShocknAwe

iTrader: (3)

This is what they look like. They should be in this orientation when installed or if you are looking at the bottom of the valve cover after taking it off, obviously opposite.

The_Fixer

iTrader: (1)

ChocolateStraw you do know there plastic right?and molded in

ShocknAwe

iTrader: (3)

disregard. I thought this was the 3.0. Yea cheap *** 3.5 valve covers. Think you have to replace them in order to get new seals. Bad design if you ask me