CraigSE

Engine looks good inside, nice to know those covers are so much less $.
If I ever replace mine, it will be with those!

ghostrider17

iTrader: (6)

THanks for the update.

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

buckhunterwv

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.

Rochester

iTrader: (3)

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.

vybz05

http://www.greghome.com/Greg's%20Gar...eplacement.htm

write up on removing IM

vybz05

also, what are the negative repercussions of not having these covers replaced in time? simply oil loss? or bad, bad things?

sparks03max

iTrader: (7)

Oil loss can result in bad, bad things. Otherwise, probably nothing major as long as you keep a check on oil.

nismopc

iTrader: (3)

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.

NmexMAX

iTrader: (22)

Are these for 02-03 or the A34 version?

SurraTT

iTrader: (59)

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!

nismopc

iTrader: (3)

A34...

SurraTT

iTrader: (59)

original post updated

nismopc

iTrader: (3)

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.

Rochester

iTrader: (3)

That's funny.

Prophecy99

iTrader: (1)

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

Rochester

iTrader: (3)

Are they originals, Prophecy99? If so, then yes.

Less than $100 for the pair of 6th gen covers... opposed to $150 for just one 5.5 gen cover.

Prophecy99

iTrader: (1)

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...

SurraTT

iTrader: (59)

^ they prob are original if you got the car at 53k, i dout the previous owner replaced them.


Id def replace them when doing nwp spacers! Save time!

Prophecy99

iTrader: (1)

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

Rochester

iTrader: (3)

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.

Prophecy99

iTrader: (1)

Thank you thank you thank you, Im gettin it all freaking mixed up. I mistakenly was thinking of the valve gaskets with the valve covers. :dumb:
With that said, i will check the VCs to see if any of these leaks are going on..
Thanks all. Peace Love.

Mongo312

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.

unwrittenwurds

just replaced mine in my '02 5th gen max. Cost me $500 bucks!! Driver & Passenger side.

nelledge

iTrader: (6)

Directly from the FSM: 999MP-AM003P (Ultra Grey);Permatex Ultra Grey 82194;
Three Bond 1207 and 1216; Nissan RTV Part No. 999MP-A7007

nismopc

iTrader: (3)

I used blue cuz that's all I had.

My Ultra Grey hardened on me.

Both are high temp. so

nismopc

iTrader: (3)

Pays to search before you have work done on your car.

Welcome to the forums!

trooplewis

iTrader: (1)

Driver and passenger side valve covers?

Okay....maybe it cost $500 because when he was done he had to turn the engine 90 degrees again.

RR5

iTrader: (6)

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.

Rochester

iTrader: (3)

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.

nismopc

iTrader: (3)

I just clicked on the url you posted in your thread and it took me right to the site. I have no issues getting to that site and had no issues ordering those part.

What Rochester said...

RR5

iTrader: (6)

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!

Rochester

iTrader: (3)

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.

NmexMAX

iTrader: (22)

But we don't want parts made for our car for this application.

Rochester

iTrader: (3)

Doh! You're right, of course.

But in case RR5 was looking to know, that's where to go.

RR5

iTrader: (6)

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.

nismopc

iTrader: (3)

never you mind delete me, I did, move on...

Rochester

iTrader: (3)

Good point. As anyone who has called knows, there are two Dave B's at the Southpoint Nissan parts department. Both are great guys, IMO.

RR5

iTrader: (6)

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.

MrEous

iTrader: (11)

I also found a failed cyl #5 leak from the valve cover when I was doing my spacers. DaveB knew exactly what I was talking about (04 VCs on my 03)

nismopc

iTrader: (3)

C WHAT I DID THERE?

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.