I'm changing the plugs today and when I get to the last plug I pull out the coil pack and the rubber boot is covered in oil. I look inside and theres oil in the chamber. Is that just a valve cover gasket or something worse? Also will it hurt anything when I got to take the plug out and the oil goes in the motor or will it just burn off over time? Any help would be appreciated.

 

Any blue smoke coming from exhaust? If there's actual OIL in the combustion chamber I would highly recommend you perform a leakdown test ASAP.

Now, if what you mean is, there's some oil accumulated in the area where the spark plug threads into the cylinder head (where the boot/coil attaches to the plug) you've probably got a leak somewhere else, or someone spilled some oil while filling the engine and it drained down into that area.

 

Spark plug gromet on the valve cover is leaking oil down into the spark plug valley. No harm with oil going into the combustion chamber when you take out the spark plug. Engine will burn it off within few seconds. You will notice some blue smoke after start up as burning oil will give off a blue shade of smoke from the tail pipe. I would remove the valve cover, repleace the o rings around the spark plug holes in the valve cover, and the valve cover gasket that goes around the whole valve cover. Its fairly common on 3.5Ls to do this as they use plastic valve covers. 350Zs do it quite alot too.

 

I noticed a tiny bit in two of mine last time i checked my plugs, i figured it was the tube seals, and that i'd worry about it when it was more than a drop, i'm doing my coils next week so i'll find out again. Anyone know how much a front valve cover set with the tube seals costs from nissan?

 

i know on my VQ30 there are 3 circular gaskets that go around the spark plug holes when you pull remove the valve covers. just go to the dealer and buy a valve cover gasket and the 3 circular ones and replace them. its an easy fix especially if they are on the front bank of cylinders. the rears are a little more involved as they require the intake manifold to be removed.

 

What a coincidence! I changed my plugs today and I had oil in my spark plug hole (the one closest to the throttle body). The oil leaked in the cylinder and it smoked for a few seconds. How hard is it to replace the valve cover gasket and o-rings? Any DYI instructions?

Thanks,
Jim

 

I had oil in one of my rear spark plug chambers. There are no oil rings or spark plug chamber seals to replace on the VQ35. The spark plug chamber oil seals are incorporated in the valve cover. I replaced the valve cover and gasket. Cost for the valve cover and gasket was about $95.00 from Jerry Rome Nissan with the Org discount. You will also need some RTV silicone gasket maker (Permatex Ultra grey or blue). It is time consuming if you have to replace the rear valve cover since you have to take the air box and intake manifold off and account for all the hoses and sensors you have to disconnect to get it right. Took me about three hours. I used this write-up as my guide.

http://home.nc.rr.com/acbradley/2002a.htm

Pedro

 

I noticed this on the center front bank plug hole on my 2000 one time, although it was very little (and it wasn't so much on the coil boot as it was on the threads of the spark plug... compression was fine, so I'm not worried)

 

If the leak affects your oil consumption, then I recommend you replace the cover. In my case, the leak was only noticeable after checking my oil level after a full WOT run. It would consumed a tiny amount of oil (1-2 oz). So I replaced the cover and have been fine ever since.

Pedro

 

If you have to replace the WHOLE valve cover you should buy the 6th gen (A34) valve covers. They're less than HALF the price of the A33B valve covers.

 

What is the difference between the 5.5 Gen and the A34 valve covers to justify the price difference?

 

It is the same part number for the 02-04 Maxima, so the price is the same. Just shop around for the best price.

Pedro

 

It is NOT the same part number.

A34s are made in the USA. A33Bs were made in Japan.

 

are you guys sure it's oil??? it may be old dielectric grease

 

Oh yeah it's oil, specifically castrol GTX 5W-30

 

I have a VQ35 on an engine stand right now, going into my 95. When I pulled the rear coils off I too noticed oil in the spark plug chambers. I thought this was because I forgot to put the pin in the engine stand and and the motor tipped upside down.. Guess not.

 

i found oil in my chamber as well. does anyone know if this type of problem is covered under warranty?

 

It should be. It is under powertrain right? I am going to go w/ the 04 VC because it is about $50 cheaper than the 02 VC.

 

I did mine 3 weeks ago. I ordered 04 valve covers and they were identical with my 02s that came out. I paid approximatelly $30 each.

 

.

 

don't have that problem yet

 

I think it was you SR20DEN that gave me the tip a few weeks ago. BIG THANKS!!! if it was or whoever did.

 

yup, if blue smoke, then you have oil in the chamber and umost likely need new piston rings. the more likely case is that you need a new valve cover.

 

Well while changing my plugs on my 02 I found a lot of oil in the #5 spark plug cylinder so it looks like I will be changing my valve covers too. That is great news about the 04 valve covers! About a 1/4 of the cost of the 02's. I'll be doing the work myself as the dealer wants to charge about $380 just to do the rear.

I figure I was almost there anyway when changing the plugs. Should only take an extra hour or two to do both of the valve covers. I've searched for a how-to and can't find one. Anyone have any tips/tricks and/or can point me to a how-to?

Thanks!

 

I replaced my valve cover gaskets as well they were only $24 at my cost for both sides and i just used Kimbell West Aluminum Silicone on the spark plug resevoir seals. It took me only an hour and a half. checked my plugs the other day and no oil so it looks like that sealant is holding up after a month.