Just got my new valve covers (pic)
#82
just changed the coils yesterday and found oil again in one of the tubes and little in another one with the 6th gen covers.
Start to think this is from blow by. I just put some good silicone around the seal in between te cover and tube. Let's see if that holds for more than a year
Just something to think about as i don't think anyone rechecked it after the swap
Start to think this is from blow by. I just put some good silicone around the seal in between te cover and tube. Let's see if that holds for more than a year
Just something to think about as i don't think anyone rechecked it after the swap
Which cyl's did you find oil in this time?
I've always thought the oil in the plugs was from SEEPAGE?!
I can't believe there's enough space at the top of the tubes, inside the VC's to get in from blow-by....but anything is possible.
I almost can't bare to look at mine again.
It's been two years since I had the dealer replace my rear VC, but it was only with the 5.5 gen cover -- so no upgraded tube seals.
I'm sure I'll be back IN there in no time to replace it again.
But until Ihave a coil failure, I guess i'll just let it ride.
81,500 and still going strong!
gr
#83
My hat is off to this site. It is an absolute wealth of information. I have been doing a lot of reading on this site lately about oil consumption in the 5th Generation Maximas, which I own.
I change my oil pan gasket last night, due to the fact that the area around the pan was staying completely soaked with oil and dripping in my garage floor. I too am experiencing oil consumption. I don't think the leaky gasket was causing all of my oil consumption though.
While on this site I read a good deal about valve covers and their gaskets. Just out of curiosity, I took the engine cover off and check the front plugs. All of my coil pack stems, plug holes and plugs were completely dry. The thing I did notice was that the top of my valve cover was soaked with oil. The area around the plug holes were soaked as well, but, again, nothing in the plug hole itself. What is causing this? Is it the valve cover gasket or the seals in the top of the valve cover around the plug hole?
I appreciate any input on this matter.
I change my oil pan gasket last night, due to the fact that the area around the pan was staying completely soaked with oil and dripping in my garage floor. I too am experiencing oil consumption. I don't think the leaky gasket was causing all of my oil consumption though.
While on this site I read a good deal about valve covers and their gaskets. Just out of curiosity, I took the engine cover off and check the front plugs. All of my coil pack stems, plug holes and plugs were completely dry. The thing I did notice was that the top of my valve cover was soaked with oil. The area around the plug holes were soaked as well, but, again, nothing in the plug hole itself. What is causing this? Is it the valve cover gasket or the seals in the top of the valve cover around the plug hole?
I appreciate any input on this matter.
#84
It's probably leaking from one of the valve cover corners on the passenger side of the front VC, and getting sprayed around by the belts. Just a guess. If that's the leak, then you'll have oil crud all over your alternator, too. Go take a look.
Assuming your Max is a 2002-2003 (you didn't say, but you have an engine cover, and only the AE had a half-sized cover in 2001) get a 6th gen valve cover replacement (not a 5.5 gen) and gasket. It will fit, be less expensive, and have a better design. Look to the FSM for proper torque and bolt sequence.
And welcome to the Org.
Assuming your Max is a 2002-2003 (you didn't say, but you have an engine cover, and only the AE had a half-sized cover in 2001) get a 6th gen valve cover replacement (not a 5.5 gen) and gasket. It will fit, be less expensive, and have a better design. Look to the FSM for proper torque and bolt sequence.
And welcome to the Org.
Last edited by Rochester; 02-12-2011 at 09:54 AM.
#85
#88
If anyone is interested, just received both valve covers and gaskets from www.nissanparts.cc (Bruce Titus Automotive Group). Total shipped was $100.83
13264-7Y000 Cover
13264-7Y010 Cover
13270-EA20A Gasket
13270-EA21A Gasket
So the price is still close to what it was when the OP originally posted. I've been ordering from nissanparts.cc for several years now and have always received stellar service from them.
Installing tomorrow with new plugs. (NGK # 5018 G-Power - LFR5AGP). Got these from RockAuto for $36.30 shipped. Same plugs I installed 60k ago and was pleased with the results. Got 160k total miles on my '02 now.
13264-7Y000 Cover
13264-7Y010 Cover
13270-EA20A Gasket
13270-EA21A Gasket
So the price is still close to what it was when the OP originally posted. I've been ordering from nissanparts.cc for several years now and have always received stellar service from them.
Installing tomorrow with new plugs. (NGK # 5018 G-Power - LFR5AGP). Got these from RockAuto for $36.30 shipped. Same plugs I installed 60k ago and was pleased with the results. Got 160k total miles on my '02 now.
#90
glad to know this is useful, ill update the original post soon
ive had these for a long time now, no problems!
One guy txted me a few weeks ago saying he seen this thread, and that the guy at the dealer said they would not fit!!! I promptly said they absolutely fit! ive had them for years!
ive had these for a long time now, no problems!
One guy txted me a few weeks ago saying he seen this thread, and that the guy at the dealer said they would not fit!!! I promptly said they absolutely fit! ive had them for years!
#93
Got the parts installed Sunday. Went quite smoothly, except I snapped the #1 bolt on the left valve cover .
Note to self: 20in/lb does not equal 20ft/lb
Needless to say, my metric engine now has a standard bolt in it after drilling and tapping new threads. Only had standard taps on hand.
And my 5th spark plug had the imfamous hairline crack that allowed oil to leak in. So it's all done, car runs super smooth, is about to hit 160k and I'm a happy camper.
Note to self: 20in/lb does not equal 20ft/lb
Needless to say, my metric engine now has a standard bolt in it after drilling and tapping new threads. Only had standard taps on hand.
And my 5th spark plug had the imfamous hairline crack that allowed oil to leak in. So it's all done, car runs super smooth, is about to hit 160k and I'm a happy camper.
#95
great thread, glad to see Nismopcs update on prices too.
I am doing NWP spacers and spark plugs etc etc.... I have symptoms of a vaccum leak(random cold startups= immediate idle rpm surge then fine idle)....
should I just change these for the heck of it? TIA
I am doing NWP spacers and spark plugs etc etc.... I have symptoms of a vaccum leak(random cold startups= immediate idle rpm surge then fine idle)....
should I just change these for the heck of it? TIA
#97
Im pretty sure they can't be original, since its standard to change them when you do plugs, I had a shop do plugs right after buying the car 53k ago.. So..from your response im guessing no ... thanks man. also i have been trying to grasp if the NWP spacers eliminate the problematic rear covers...
#99
let me rephrase, I had a shop replace the plugs 53k ago hence my plug change in the near future. Its not something im 100% on but I would think the shop changed it at the time. .. Thanks suratt
#100
It's not standard practice to replace the VC's when replacing plugs. Where'd you get that from? The issue is a design flaw in the 5.5 gen covers.
My original VC's started leaking around 60K. The front was leaking at the passenger corner. The rear was the infamous seal fail around the middle plug.
My original VC's started leaking around 60K. The front was leaking at the passenger corner. The rear was the infamous seal fail around the middle plug.
#101
It's not standard practice to replace the VC's when replacing plugs. Where'd you get that from? The issue is a design flaw in the 5.5 gen covers.
My original VC's started leaking around 60K. The front was leaking at the passenger corner. The rear was the infamous seal fail around the middle plug.
My original VC's started leaking around 60K. The front was leaking at the passenger corner. The rear was the infamous seal fail around the middle plug.
With that said, i will check the VCs to see if any of these leaks are going on..
Thanks all. Peace Love.
#102
Which rtv do you guys recommend for the valve cover replacement? I have both red and blue and don't want to use the wrong one cause I'm replacing the back cover. Already replaced the plugs back there so hopefully this is the last time tearing the thing down.
#104
Three Bond 1207 and 1216; Nissan RTV Part No. 999MP-A7007
#105
#106
#108
The www.nissanparts.cc site comes back page not found for me and downforeveryoneorjustme.com says the site is down.
I had a look on http://www.courtesyparts.com/maxima-...2670_2674.html
There are no valve covers (rocker cover assembly) which match the part numbers:
13264-7Y000 Cover
13264-7Y010 Cover
13270-EA20A Gasket
13270-EA21A Gasket
But the first part numbers do match, the 13264. I want to be certain of ordering the right part. I'll have a chat with Dave B and see what prices I get.
I had a look on http://www.courtesyparts.com/maxima-...2670_2674.html
There are no valve covers (rocker cover assembly) which match the part numbers:
13264-7Y000 Cover
13264-7Y010 Cover
13270-EA20A Gasket
13270-EA21A Gasket
But the first part numbers do match, the 13264. I want to be certain of ordering the right part. I'll have a chat with Dave B and see what prices I get.
#109
Courtesy has its own parts numbering system. It's similar to Nissan's but not spot-on. So identify the part by name and contact Dave B. Or just buy it through Courtesy because it's easy. I do both, without any particular pattern.
#110
The www.nissanparts.cc site comes back page not found for me and downforeveryoneorjustme.com says the site is down.
I had a look on http://www.courtesyparts.com/maxima-...2670_2674.html
There are no valve covers (rocker cover assembly) which match the part numbers:
13264-7Y000 Cover
13264-7Y010 Cover
13270-EA20A Gasket
13270-EA21A Gasket
But the first part numbers do match, the 13264. I want to be certain of ordering the right part. I'll have a chat with Dave B and see what prices I get.
There are no valve covers (rocker cover assembly) which match the part numbers:
13264-7Y000 Cover
13264-7Y010 Cover
13270-EA20A Gasket
13270-EA21A Gasket
But the first part numbers do match, the 13264. I want to be certain of ordering the right part. I'll have a chat with Dave B and see what prices I get.
#111
Then what about the production month/year? So confusing! For example, 13264+A on Courtseyparts.com shows the following:
01/2003-06/2005 3.5L and 06/2005+ 3.5L.
I'll speak with Dave B but one thing to note, Dave only goes by what the parts catalog system says. All this part swapping from the 2004 Maxima onto the 2000-2003 Maxima is unknown to him.
-edit, the nissanparts.cc site is working for me, very strange!
01/2003-06/2005 3.5L and 06/2005+ 3.5L.
I'll speak with Dave B but one thing to note, Dave only goes by what the parts catalog system says. All this part swapping from the 2004 Maxima onto the 2000-2003 Maxima is unknown to him.
-edit, the nissanparts.cc site is working for me, very strange!
#112
The build month/year should be on the sticker on your driver side door.
Dave B comes across as a pretty savvy guy, and I'm sure he's very familiar with 2004 parts as applied to the 5.5 gen Maxima. The most common are rotors & calipers, the 6MT shifter cable bracket, and the infamous valve covers.
I'm sure there are more. It only makes sense that flawed designs would improve over time.
I'm sure there are more. It only makes sense that flawed designs would improve over time.
#115
Bingo on the drivers door sticker, I'm waiting for the final cost from Dave B. Two covers, two gaskets and maybe the plenum gasket.
-edit The DaveB total shipped to 98008 is $128 and that includes the intake manifold plenum gasket.
-edit The DaveB total shipped to 98008 is $128 and that includes the intake manifold plenum gasket.
Last edited by RR5; 02-23-2011 at 01:02 PM.
#118
DaveB actually knew of using the 04 valve covers on the 2000-2003 Maxima, he also mentioned that one could spray some copper gasket on the old plenum gasket in order to re-use it.
http://permatex.carshopinc.com/produ...id/42287/80697
Thoughts? I re-used this gasket twice, first at 100,000 miles doing a plug change and perhaps six months ago doing another plug change. Might be time to get a new gasket.
(Sorry for the ninja edit!) Nissanparts.cc took me to another site where after all the parts were added, shipped total was $145. I'll stick with DaveB and really REALLY hope to receive the parts by next week.
http://permatex.carshopinc.com/produ...id/42287/80697
Thoughts? I re-used this gasket twice, first at 100,000 miles doing a plug change and perhaps six months ago doing another plug change. Might be time to get a new gasket.
(Sorry for the ninja edit!) Nissanparts.cc took me to another site where after all the parts were added, shipped total was $145. I'll stick with DaveB and really REALLY hope to receive the parts by next week.
Last edited by RR5; 02-23-2011 at 01:16 PM.
#120
OP posted his price and results so I figured it had to be the correct Dave B. I didn't realize my original post was seen that quickly.