I have oil in my spark plugs, so I am replacing my front valve cover gasket. Do I need RTV? I will be using the Autozone $53 spark plug gasket which comes with the grommets and all that stuff.

 

you should use gasket sealant, i have used it everytime i replaced a customers gasket

 

You only need to replace the spark plug seal things which could have been ordered from the dealer.

 

use the RTV. it works great. and yes you should be able to buy the spark plug seals from a dealer

 

The kit comes with the spark plug seals. There is oil on the edges of the valve cover area so I am sure the whole thing should just be replaced.

Is it obvious how to apply the RTV/Sealant? I've never done it before.

 

I think you put it on all the corners...and then every inch or so in between (at least that's how the rear VC is done). I believe this information is in the Haynes manual.

Also, use black RTV (high-temp). I usually did what the book said and then put a small bead all the way around between the globs that it suggests. Some of it seeps out and hardens on the outside of the VC.

 

http://forums.maxima.org/4th-generat...gaskets-2.html

 

I would put RTV everywhere. You just apply a thin layer of RTV about 1/3 inch wide. And put some more on the corners and weak spots that usually leak oil. Hope that helps

 

Helps a lot. I've never used the stuff before. Do I apply to both sides of the gasket? Is less better than more? Any other tips?

 

You don't need to put RTV everywhere, only in a few certain spots.



Apply to the head/cam cover. I usually put a small amount in the corners and in the middle of the long runs where the gasket sits in the groove in the valve cover itself just to keep it in place while moving it around.

 

Pmohr,

Do you mean to put the RTV in the groove of the valve cover itself in the places you mentioned and then install the gasket and then install the cover on the head?

OR

Do you insert the gasket first into the groove of the valve cover itself and put the RTV where you mentioned on TOP of the gasket before you mate the cover to the head?

I am confused.

 

Both, actually. As I said, I use RTV to help hold the gasket in place while positioning the valve cover on the head, and you need to use RTV in between the gasket and the head for it to seal properly.

 

Pmohr,

Thanks for the update. Here is my situation and what I have now done. I replaced both rear and front VC gaskets, grommets and spark plug seals back in the spring (FelPro kit from Advance Auto) but I did not use RTV when I put it back together. Well, guess what? The front VC began seeping and ran down on the exhaust manifold and smelled bad whenever I came to a stop. Doesn't appear that the rear is seeping just yet (thank God!). Today, I took the front cover off, cleaned up the gaskets and grommets and used RTV I hope as you suggested. I put some in the grove in all four corners as well as in the middle and installed the cleaned up gasket (both the gasket, the VC grove and the head were oil free and cleaned up with mineral spirits and allowed to air dry). I then put some RTV on top of the gasket where the FSM indicated and reassembled everything. I did notice that due to compressing the grommets, that the shoulder bolts stopped dead (bottomed out I guess) and would not torque the little bit indicated in the FSM. I torqued them pretty good just to make sure I had a good compression all around the VC in the order indicated in the FSM and the Hayes manual. I used the Blue RTV (which indicated it was for valve covers, oil pans, etc.). I plan on letting this cure over Sunday and drive it late Sunday night to see I get any seepage/leaks.

Did I do this correctly according to your experience??

BTW: Thanks for all you do!

 

Thanks for posting this question, as this is also on my Max "to do" list.