Superduck

Some of you probably guessed it before you opened the thread. I am one of the dreaded few who some how managed to get a piece of the PVC valve grommet into the very hole it goes in. I assume this is the crankcase. To make a long story short, I noticed the grommet coming off, it was off 3/4 of the way, and decided it'd be best to replace. I pulled with the needle nose and part came with the needle nose, and a 1/4 roughly of the grommet went in the hole. Almost had it out, and it went in further...next time she was gone.

I'm in need of serious help. What all is involved in getting it out? I read many threads searching for anyone who might have done the same. Found one person, but no write up or info on what he had to do. My 2000 just hit 200,000 miles....I want her to enjoy many more. Thanks in advance.

Love_00_Max

To get the PCV rubber gourmet out you will need to get the valve cover off. There was a superb thread by one either in this forum or the 4th gen which had detailed pictures to replace the valve covers.

Now do you have to replace it is the question. Would it do any damage if it was left there, I would think it is harmeless. I could be wrong too, but by looking at the valve cover thread (search the forum), I felt there were no moving parts where the ventillation PCV valve was located.

Lets see what others have to say!!! Sad and sucks to have to deal with this kind of nonsense when the intent was good for the engine to breathe well with the replacement!!! Sorry man...

importcf

my impression is that it wouldnt hurt but im gunna stick around to see if anyone else knows for sure

Superduck

I too was wondering if it would do any harm to leave it, but didn't want to assume that before getting the opinon of this forum. I just threw her in neutral and a buddy and I pushed her in the garage for the night. Good thing I have tomorrow off.

Superduck

Anyone else with ideas? Sorry to bump this thread, but trying to get this done today....one way or another. Called the dealership and the service guy said he didn't know if it'd hurt it or not...."they'd never left one in there before" Of course he also mentioned he'd never had that happened and that I had him thinking.

Superduck

Ok, after more searching I found a few people have done what I've done. After talking to a couple mechanics, and the people who have posted, it seems like there is a good chance the rubber bit in there wouldn't hurt anything. BUT, there is a chance it could clog an oil line and very bad things would happen.

Tonight a couple buddies and myself are going to start working to get the rear valve cover off. I think I know what I need in terms of gaskets, etc. but just want to confirm my list:

Rear valve cover gasket
Manifold Gasket
front valve cover gasket
Knock senor - while in there.
Gasket sealant.

Anything else I should add?

s1mply_v

iTrader: (23)

you shouldnt need the front valve cover gasket if your taking the rear valve cover off.. but it might come as a pair of gaskets..

RLStrick756

Before pulling everything apart, why not ask a Nissan Master Auto Tech at a Nissan Service Center?

boris

If you have the famous oil leak in the valve cover you would replace the cover with the 6th gen one (2004-2006 i believe). The knock sensor is still not accessible even with a rear cover out.

Superduck

Well, got that little thing out last night. Only busted a couple of knuckles. Not too bad, just time consuming.

RLStrick756, I did ask a Nissan Dealer Tech and he told me what everyone else did, that there was a good chance it wouldn't hurt anything, but also a chance it could clog an oil line. I didn't want to leave it to chance just to save myself a few hours of labor.

boris, I did not have oil leaking around the rear valve cover. There appears to be a little around the manifold gasket however. What does a 6th gen cover run?

Fred Stone

Better safe than sorry!
I agree with your choice. (Like that matters)

Superduck

My EGR valve is just crazy clogged. I'm gonna need to clean that thing out.

How much more work is it to replace the knock sensor while I'm in there?

Love_00_Max

How do you know ur EGR is clogged, the 5th gen EGR is redesigned wrt the infamous 4th gen maximas'.? Did it thro a EGR code?

boris

The valve cover leaks mostly into the plug wells. The oil in the IM is a "normal" product of a poorly designed crankcase ventilation system lol. However, you can reduce the oil circulation (the oil to be sucked into the combustion chambers trough the IM), if you install some of those catch oil cans, widely debated on this forum.
The 6th gen cover costs around 40 bucks and it comes with the PCV valve.