Where to find a valve cover for 02-04 maxima/ i35. Ive bought several only to find that they do not fit properly. Bought one from amazon, and the holes didnt line up. I bought one on ebay and it was too short, oil started leaking out the top corner. Called the dealer and they want $300 for just one peice.

 

I used cheap eBay valve covers and the only issue I had was the cheap included gaskets that got hard and leaked after a month, fitment was ok. 02-08 maxima valve covers are suppose to be the same they are all 1st gen VQ35 (intake only cam phasers). The RWD are the same but have a taller oil filler I believe.

try www.rockauto.com, so far they have good trustworthy parts. I also recommend not using included gaskets and get a set of Fel-Pro gaskets when buying a cheap non OEM valve cover..

 

Drill out tube seals and replace or just RTV tube seals. I RTV every engine with no issue (super clean tubes/seals with brake cleaner and smear a fair amount on the seal).

 

$300.00 seems like a lot, but is $191.00 too much?

Nissan Parts Deal has them …

 

i got 6th gen valve covers, i think the newest 5th gen valve covers are revised as well. maybe look for 6th gen valve covers (assuming the I35 is same)

 

What do you mean by drilling out the tube seals? And where exactly do you put the rtv? Ive got an original valve cover that i can experiment on laying around.

 

how much did you pay for yours and where did you get them?

 

https://www.my4dsc.com/how-to-replac...n-valve-cover/
Use a hole saw, so you can get access to the seals.

Or apply RTV directly on the seals and pop the cover back in. Let it cure and it'll be fine.

People always compain the seals aren't replaceable. While kinda true, it's not a big deal and better than spending many hundreds.

 

What do you mean by drilling out the tube seals? And where exactly do you put the rtv? Ive got an original valve cover that i can experiment on laying around.

 

i am sorry it was a long time ago before the newly produced 5th gens ones were even updated so only choice i had was 6th gens at the time. prolly 2011 from napa, price no idea, dont remember them being $300 though.

 

nice i forgot about napa, gonna check n see what i can find out.

 

that makes perfect sense! Gonna try this weekend with rtv the seals.

 

not to sound stupid, but your saying take the cover off and apply rtv on the seals on top and bottom or just the top?

 

I guess I’m not fully grasping the benefit of all of this discussion and potential DIY modification over simply installing the correct part(s).

 

I found my old dealer invoice from 2017 when I replaced the rear valve cover. I guess the dealers are just trying to make more from these parts now but from what I have looked at on the web and Turbonink posted you can pay less than 300 if you are willing to order online

 

nice man thanks for that

 

just buy a cheap set on Rock auto along with a set of Fel-Pro gaskets.

 

I do it just to the bottom half of tube seals.

 

[QUOTE=Child_uv_KoRn;9243023]I do it just to the bottom half of tube seals.

Gotcha!! Going to grab my old cover and rtv the seals and install maybe tomarro. Thanks alot, also saw a video of the other method you suggested with the hole saw, might get one just in case.