Hello. I've been trying to do some research and the best I've come up with is that the newer 2004+ are the ones to get. In reading some threads and I'm not sure if I got this right that now the Beck/Arnley OE version for a 2003 are now the same as the 2004+ Maxima covers. Can anyone confirm this? Are the Beck/Arnley OE version ones the way to go? Thank you in advance.

 

02-08 are the same when it comes to aftermarket.

back when I was running the original engine I just went with a cheap Rockauto set and got the blue Fel Pro gaskets.

 

I bought the Beck/Arnley OE version VC's from RockAuto for the 2003 I35 and they are quality parts. I would not use any questionable aftermarket VC's. You want to do this job once and not have to come back to it.

 

main issue I've seen with cheap aftermarket valve covers are the supplied gaskets. I'm running a set of Ultra Power valve covers on my 2014 engine but with Fel Pro gaskets and OEM PCV valve. I wouldn't be surprised if they are all made from the same supplier..

 

Just wanted to say thank you again to both of you. I will stick with either the OE Spec Beck/Arnley or probably will go with OEM Nissan ones. That's where I'm going to stay I think but, wanted to clarify where I needed to go.

 

If you need a set of OE valve covers im getting rid of mine, theyre in great shape. In nj if you want em.

 

RockAuto has 2 level of Beck/Arnley VQ35DE valve covers Aftermarket versions (p/n: 0360018 & 0360019) approx: $74, and the OEM versions (p/n: 0360004 & 0360005) approx: $134...
Nissan wants $196-$202 each. I really don't think there's much difference in the OEM and Aftermarket if you go with a reputable brand.

 

before paying top dollar for some plastic ones check out the Mitzone aluminum valve covers.

 

Hello. Just saw all the posts including yours. I already purchased some but, thank you anyways.

 

I found some left over NOS (New Old Stock) ones so, it was cheaper than that.

 

You know, I saw those. The only concern I would have with those and I think someone had an issue with the screws on them. The screws probably could use some Loctite but, I figure I'll stick with the plastic ones.

 

i believe the plastic ones are pretty much all the same but some come with better gaskets and others even come with new bolts. from my experience the blue gaskets are made from a better material. can't go wrong with Rockauto, they have legit parts.

 

I know I am a bit late to respond here, but from my recent research for the valve covers due to the spark plug tube seals being built-in, I ended up with OEM from Nissan as I kept reading how any aftermarket will just have crappy seals and I will have to start over before too long. My car is almost 237k on the original engine, and second set of covers. The gaskets are easy. There are a few good brands out there, but the tube seals suck.
Oh, and the OEM covers come with the OEM PCV already installed.

 

how much did they ending up costing you?

when it comes to tube or shaft seals its always a good idea to not slide them on dry.

 

Just shy of $400 for the two.
I made sure to lube up the seals before sliding them on, and also to not do extra movements up and down.

 

wow, I had no idea the dealer charged that much for valve covers.

when I had the original engine i got a cheap set off eBay and the cheap gasket it came with leaked in a few days. the seller sent me another set and I got Fel Pro gaskets from the parts store and a OEM PCV valve. I ran the engine from early 2019 through mid 2023 with no issues than I swapped in the 2014 engine. I even had a pair of red Mitzone aluminum ones as a back up that I ended up selling to my neighbor after I swapped the engine. I'm running Ultra Power valve covers on the 2014 engine with Fel Pro gaskets and it's been good for the past 2 years. I've done other Maximas and I35's so I'm able to knock em out in no time if I have to change them out. also moved a few things around to make it easier.

 

Could someone please point me in the right direction for the BLUE Fel-Pro gaskets referenced in this thread?

As far as I can tell, Fel-Pro only makes one valve cover gasket set for these cars, VS50608R and they aren't blue and they're made from "Permadry molded rubber".

In other threads I have seen mentions of silicone valve cover gaskets, but I can't find these either.

If anyone knows where these can be found, could you post some links?

Thanks

 

in my 26 years as a tech....ive found fel-pro to be one of the worst options. sure they dont get hard like the oem ones do but theyll start seeping much earlier. by the time oem ones get hard and start leaking you need new VCs anyways because the tube seals are leaking.

 

I just checked Rockauto and the ones you want is the APEX AVC550

 

This is good to know. Thanks for chiming in.


That's helpful. Earlier in the thread, you said you used Fel-Pro gaskets and they worked well for years. Was it actually these Apex gaskets that you used?

Thanks for posting the link.

 

That's helpful. Earlier in the thread, you said you used Fel-Pro gaskets and they worked well for years. Was it actually these Apex gaskets that you used?

Thanks for posting the link.[/QUOTE]


the Fel-Pro ones used to be blue at some point.