Oil in spark plug tube
 

Changed the spark plugs in the 03 maxima this weekend. One plug tube had oil in it. What causes this and what is the fix please?


Thanks

The only engine I ever worked with previously was the sr20 but this should apply to the Maxima engine as well. Whenever there was oil in the spark plug area it was due to the valve cover gasket o rings. You'll want to replace the entire valve cover gasket and the o rings and properly torque down the bolts once the new gaskets are on.
This is about a $45 fix for the DIY, this includes the OEM vc gaskets and rtv sealant for the gaskets. 1-2 hour job or less.

Please see the below responses, obviously coming from one platform or engine to the next there will be differences. I was just relaying my experience with something similar.

aren't the tube seals built into the covers on the 5.5? don't people just upgrade to 6gen covers when replacing? i feel like i read that once on here...

Yes, they are not separate. The fix is to replace the valve cover and the 6th gen covers don't have the oil leak issue while being a direct fit replacement. They used to be a lot cheaper, unfortunately Nissan got wise and cranked up the price.

I would clean inside first and change plug and then see if it happeneds again first before this ^, happened to me and then never happened again after, not sure how but maybe too much oil.....don't over fill.

Thanks guys. 6th gen valve cover gasket it is. As luck would have it this of course happens to be on the rear cylinder bank. Oh well, at least I am now an expert at taking the intake manifold off.....

you need the whole valve cover, not just the gasket

:sprint:


Very commom problem: https://maxima.org/forums/5th-genera...overs-pic.html

Wait, whole valve cover?1 Is it not just a gasket leaking? What am I missing here?

The rear VC has a tendency to crack causing the oil to get into the tube.

Most likely it's a rear cracked VC and the rear, front cylinder is most likely the culprit (IIRC cylinder #1, nearest the passenger side on the rear bank.

At the end of the linked thread, looks like someone has posted a slightly reasonably priced rear VC (120$ I believe).

I got mine RIGHT as the price hike occurred but was able to still get it at the normal 35$ or what not.

Easy job, might as well do spark plugs while you're in there. I use LFR5AIX-11, fairly cheap (6-8$/plug) and they're Ir.

using 6th gen valve covers here, 50k miles

The only one of 6 with oil in it on mine is the rear cylinder bank plug tube on the drivers side. Thanks for all the responses. Calling the stealership for a price and availability now.

Just got a price from the local Nissan dealer........$125, ouch!! Last weekend I put 6 new NGK Iridium plugs in from Rock auto, they were $6 a piece. OEM had 125k miles on them. Needless to say, gap was a little wide. Also replaced the OEM belts and the 2 cooling fans. Sucks I have to pull the intake manifold off again.

You do know there are other options. Did you take a look at the link I posted? :squint:

You can get 2 for that price.

Yeah, like everyone mentioned, just get a new 6th gen VC + gasket and call it a day.

I saw the link that goes to a post from SURATT that is from 2007 with pricing of $35 a piece from the dealership. Is there a link I missed?


If not the dealer got wise and 125 is the number. Please set me straight if I am missing something. Thanks

Last page on the entire thread.

135$ for both with gaskets.

https://maxima.org/forums/5th-genera...ers-pic-6.html

Thanks for the link. My concern is they are not OEM. Seems Nissan got wise to the problem and upgraded the OEM. With having to remove the intake manifold to even check if all is ok I would have no way of knowing if the new one is leaking. Seems in that case I might as well leave the existing leaking vc in place as I had no idea of the leak until I changed the plugs, which I will probably never have to do again.


Thoughts??

Save a few $$ and get it at Courtesy Nissan. 92.xx$ list price.

http://www.courtesyparts.com/auto-pa...at/engine-scat

Just got off the phone with courtesy Nissan, the VC I need is $182.94 before shipping. Its $125 at my local dealer. Thanks though.

You should double check because all the sites I see have the cheaper one as the rear with the PCV valve already in place.

The item priced for 184 is the front, with the oil filler and cap.

$91.75
http://www.nissanpartsdeal.com/parts...264-7y000.html
$182.47
http://www.nissanpartsdeal.com/parts...264-7y010.html


From the diagram:
13264+A= $182.47
13264 = $91.75

https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/maxima....e8ab7ccb31.png

so what are the chances of oil filling the rear spark plug tube and fouling the precat?