I just replaced the spark plugs in my 03 Maxima and found oil in 2 of the three tubes in the back (as usual with this car) so I know I need to replace the valve cover/VC gasket, but I am also having a lot of oily residue at the front of the valve cover where it meets the head right above the exhaust manifold. It isn't normal wet oily though, it is more sticky (I don't know how to describe it as other than burnt, but I don't think it's burnt as there is not smell of burning oil. I don't know how to describe it. its almost grainy. not wet at all.)

Would this be caused by a bad valve cover gasket? It seems like if that gasket were bad, it would be wet oil, not burnt/grainy. While I'm replacing the rear cover and gasket should I go ahead and replace the front? I would rather not replace both, but if it is the appropriate/correct thing to do, then I'll go ahead and do it. What do you guys and gals recommend?

 

i think the org recommends replacing with 04+ valve covers (not sure if limited to 6 gen or not).

i am unsure about whether you need both or not. i'm a 3.0 owner so only half pay attention to the 3.5 issues.

 

Yea go with 6th gen vc. They're cheaper and don't leak in the tubes. The reason the oil is cooked around the front cover is because of the heat from the header I would guess. The 6th gen vc can be had for around 100 or so online.

 

100 for both or 100 a piece? I saw a post from 2007 that said someone paid 35$ a piece at the dealership.

 

Go on eBay and 6th gen vc can be had for around 100 for both. If you want to go to the dealer go ahead it won't be that cheap and won't do anything differently then the 100 eBay vc. I used the 100 vc and have no problems no oil in spark plug tubes no leaking. You can do what you want I'm telling you what I did.

 

The other oil you're seeing on the front is most likely from the front valve cover. The front is very easy compared to the rear so I'd change the gasket and spark plug tube seals on it.

The 04 VC is a good fix but you can get away with just the rear. I haven't heard of many issues with the front.

The 04 VC used to be a good deal from Ni$$an but, like all good things, they jack the price when the customers figure it out. Anyone remember the 350Z HR clutches?

My advice would be to get the rear 04 VC which will come with new tube seals installed but no gasket. Also, get a gasket set that comes with 6 tube seals and both gaskets. Replace the rear VC with a new gasket and reuse the front VC with new tube seals and gasket.

Just don't over torque the bolts when you go back together. The spec is very low and it's easy to crack the VCs. Be sure to use a cross pattern and go around several times. Use a small amount of RTV in the corners where the factory put it and no more. No RTV on the tube seals.

 

Do the 6 gen covers work on the 3.0?
I just replaced my tube seal and it's leaking again.

and why are the 6 gen covers better?

 

Everything I've seen/read is saying that you can't replace just the tube seals and gasket. Can they actually be replaced? Any chance you could link me to the seal kit that your mentioned?

 

Dude buy the 6th vc on eBay they come with the gasket already and be done with it. Change both the front and back and not worry about it anymore. Why would anybody spend more money and more time piecing together tube seals and gaskets and whatever other bs? You're making this harder then what it is. As soon as someone starts complaining about how hard the firewall bank is to do any work on just stop listening right there and move on. The back bank isn't hard it's just you have to do some more work. Why does everyone cry about the rear bank Jesus Christ!st it's no big deal. Job should take you 2hrs if you have any ability at all. Less if you have decent skill.

 

Here's the tube seal kit for $16.00
A gasket kit will cost around $20.00
Either way you're going to need the gasket kit.

http://www.partsgeek.com/w6315cg-nis...+Tube+Seal+Set

The tube seal kit is $16 for both valve covers.
The valve covers I'm seeing are over $100 each and still don't seem come with the gasket. If I'm wrong about the gasket then one can still be had for $10.
That's saving over $80 by keeping the front and swapping the seals. Swapping the seals is easy.

Nobody's saying the rear is that hard but the front is a lot easier. The real reason to swap only the rear is that the rear has a tendency to crack while the front doesn't. That's what they fixed on the 04+. Swap the tube seals on either of them and they wont leak.

 

The op says he has oil down by the manifold. That tells me his vc is also leaking. Type in 2005 Nissan Maxima vc in search box on eBay. I got mine with gaskets for either just under or just over 100. The back usually leak as well. The guy can do whatever he wants I quite honestly don't care. I know I had oil in my tubes so I bought new cover that came with the gaskets and have not had any issue with oil in my tubes.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/dn408ei93h...17.52.png?dl=0

There's the both vc and gaskets under 100.

 

I'm not suggesting he replace just the tube seals. I'm saying replace the gasket and tube seals on the front. I would never pull the valve cover and reuse the old gasket. The gasket is what leaks, not the valve cover itself.

He could replace the rear, which is known to crack, for $100. That's a good deal.
He could get one gasket and three tube seals for the front for around $20.

 

I understand what you're saying but I'm telling you that you can have two new vc with gaskets for under 100. So why go thru getting seals one cover two gasket when you could get two new covers with gaskets for cheaper and not have to mess with seals?

 

arent the tube seals built into the covers for the 3.5?

 

Yes they are

 

i thought that made them very difficult to get out, like you have to drill/cut the cover to access them?

 

I'm not sure because I wouldn't by seals and gaskets and reuse the old cover. It doesn't make any sense to me when it's as easy as buying vc with the seals already in them and new gaskets too.

 

Ohhhh. That clears it up. I didn't click on the link and was thinking they were $100 each since every other one I saw was over $100 w/out gasket. That's definitely the way to go if you're saying the pieces are quality. Is that deal from eBay?

 

Yea that's what I've been trying to explain to you. They came with gaskets and I've had no oil in any of my tubes. So I call that a win considering every tube had oil before.

 

So has anyone bought those eBay vcs? They are on eBay now for about 110 with gaskets. Should I jump on those or get the ones from amazon that are about 170 for both.
Thanks for the help guys, sorry to cause a minor argument!

 

B/c the tube seals are 15 dollars. That's a lot cheaper than a VC. The gasket isn't required. That's what RTV is for (I don't waste money on these style gaskets, GM pos are a different story).

Even better, if you're cheap and lazy (like me), just go to the junk yard and grab a set from a 6th gen motor. ~6 bucks each and slap on RTV. I put it on top of the tubes, too, and wipe out the excess after installation.

 

I am in the same boat. Curious if they are good quality. If you buy them let us know!

 

I think I answered this question. Do you guys bother reading anything people post?