Just bought an '06 maxima for my mom, extremely worried I bought a clunker...Trying to learn how to fix things myself because I've already spent 800+ on issues that don't appear to have even gotten fixed. I'm hoping to pick y'all's brains to try and fix some of the issues I'm having. Still mostly new to DIY work so please bare with me. I'll upload some pictures of what I've got so far.

First thing, I believe this is part of the VIAS. Pretty sure this "should" be an easy fix.

Second thing. According to my mechanic, who may be blowing smoke up my ***, this is a PCV valve hose that broke off at some point. I don't even know if this came off my car. I do know I'm burning oil between the firewall and the intake plenum..somewhere. As you guys know its massive pain in the *** to get back there. Had my mechanic do my plugs, guess he couldn't be bothered to let me know my PCV valve and hose were destroyed while he was back there (if that's what it actually is).


So I tried to get a good look behind the plenum, and I think? this is where the PCV leads to the intake, and as I can see there is indeed still a hose on it. I could absolutely be wrong, I'm still new to this. I can't quite get back there without taking the plenum off, which i'm trying to avoid because as I said, I'm new to this and don't want to mess anything up.

Either way, I've got a bunch of issues to solve, but assuming my mechanic wasn't blowing smoke, they don't sound like something I can't do. Any clarifications you guys could give me would be a massive help, or if I could get in direct contact with someone who could walk me through some things...that'd be great. Thanks in advance.

 

First pic is a vacuum canister that operates the power valve actuator. Second pic is the hose that connects both valve covers together, part of the PCV system. Last pic connects the PCV valve to the intake.
Try some JB weld for now. If a mechanic broke those, then they should fix it with new parts.

 

Yeah, I figured out the valve to valve hose last night after doing some better research. My mechanic refuses to do anything else to it unless I pay for 2 hours of labor to take the plenum off, which I frankly cant afford right now. I think it would also be difficult to get him to admit he broke it, instead of him already telling me it just broke because of age, which i suppose is also possible either way. Pretty sure both of the nipples broke off too. Does that require a whole new valve cover, or are the nipples replaceable on their own?

Edit: Probably just going to get aluminum valve covers so that the seals and plastic bits are serviceable for the future. Looking at the mitzone ones off of amazon. reviews seem okay other than possibly using a different gasket and making damn sure the screws on the underside are loctite'd.

 

he probably broke it. good luck getting him to admit it. best to find a new mechanic.

valve cover replacement is required and probably needed anyways as its likely the plug holes are full of oil (also something he should have told you about but failed to mention)

 

Yeah I'm pretty over this guy. Also found a 10mm socket sitting under my intake that i assume he left there, that I had to fish out with a magnet and a coat hanger, so at least that's mine now. Edit: Oh, and a Corona bottlecap sitting right next to it so at least i know how it got left there.

 

Find yourself a different mechanic! This clown is NOT trustworthy!