njmaxseltd

iTrader: (19)

Just did the front most valve cover gasket the other day and was quite shocked at how clean the internals of the engine are.

I know, :

So I'll try to get some up when I do the back cover.

Some basics:
Original owner, only ever used Castrol GTX, 3,000 - 5,000 miles oil changes.
Never did any sort of engine flush, sea foam crap, nothing. Just a nice golden color on everything, absolutely no sigh of sludge or build up anywhere.
This engine really is designed to run forever and I believe Castrol GTX is one of the best oils on the market. You can keep your Mobil 1 synthetic high priced crap, the proof is in my engine.

LuminousX

my car as 150k miles on it, last time I did my valve it was pretty clean, and golden like you said, I also use Castrol GTX on my last oil change, that's the only one I ever did since I bought the car, maybe it was clean before that or not, but it was pretty clean.. take a look http://forums.maxima.org/4th-generat...sket-pics.html

deathwobble

iTrader: (1)

Haha, what an odd coincidence. I just finished my rear valve cover this morning and I was also suprised how clean mine was for 220k.

maxinout93

When I did my front valve covers at 225k miles mine didnt look as clean, so i tired removing most of the gunk and buildup, changed PVC valve and hoses and changed it every 4k miles, gotta reseal the valve covers as They are seaping again on the rear, and didnt use the right sealant on it grrrr!!! Going to see if any changes were made on engine condition runs better though at 252k miles

Quickywd01

iTrader: (16)

Castrol GTX is one of the best, if not the best, oil out there. Only reason I use mobil1 is because walmart sells it for half price and only because it's 0W-40. If I wasn't using 0W-40 I'd be using castrol gtx. Now if only walmart sold the GERMAN castrol 0W I'd be even happier.

flynlr

iTrader: (2)

this is what my internal looked like in 2010 when i did the valve covers. 15 years of almost daily driving at that time. Mobile 1 changed every 4k since car was new.
.

dwapenyi

iTrader: (3)

That looks great......and a little bit weird at the same time. There's like no oil hanging around. Most times I see valve cover pics where there's a nice sheen of oil coating all the engine parts. That sheen gives off a nice golden brown hue. With yours it looks like Mobil 1 did its job, then literally all of it disappeared back into the oil pan, waiting for you to start the car again

flynlr

iTrader: (2)

that job was done on a sunday . car had been parked since fri night

dwapenyi

iTrader: (3)

Ahhhh, that explains it.

jholley

iTrader: (13)

Starting the engine after reinserting the covers were those dry valves clicking

1996blackmax

iTrader: (2)

Clean .

When I had my 4th gen I would use Mobil 1 as well. I would also buy it at walmart because it was so much cheaper than anywhere else.

maxinout93

wow looks really clean!! mine looked nothing like that

maxinout93

anyone know how to keep the oil from seeping out of the oil cap area?

njmaxseltd

iTrader: (19)

You mean top of the head? It's supposed to drain out. The coating that remains on the camshaft and shims is enough to lubricate during start up. There's a term for that. But look closely and you'll see plenty of oil in place where the camshaft lobe pushes against the valve lifter.
Also, the camshaft bearings are holding plenty of oil.

Michael Feather

Keep it like that and you could catch up to "Old Faithful " she is a 4th gen SE 430,000 and still runs light the day I bought her.

dwapenyi

iTrader: (3)

And.............?

cashoit

yeah man where are the pics??????????

jfactor

When I had my oil pan off everything was pretty, amber and spotless. I noticed my valves looked like new when I had the UIM off.