Donkeypunch

Real quick my 2000 max is leaking oil, bad, out the covers.
Mostly the rear.

Is this all I need to fix it and replace all the gaskets?

foodmanry

iTrader: (15)

You need valve cover gaskets and spark plug gaskets. You also need RTV sealant for corners of valve covers. Use and follow FSM on replacement.

litch

iTrader: (2)

common sense too mang. IIRC the spec is 90 on the bolts... When I did em I tightened to 60 on all the bolts, then to 80, then to 90, so that I didn't damage the gasket. This way you tighten down the cover evenly.

Donkeypunch

I'm assuming that's 90 in/lb.
What is FMS? and is that all I need to take off the intake?

Fakie J Farkerton

iTrader: (51)

Inch pounds, and a link to the FSM is in my sig.

Donkeypunch

ok.
I just ordered that stuff and I'll find out if there's anything else needed
when it happens.

Outatime28

I'm doing the same job soon and I can't find the guide anywhere in the FSM. what category is it under?

Donkeypunch

Don't even try to look on that thing.
Go to youtube there's a guy who does it step by step.

DjHackStyle

link by any chance? interested

ACee

Valve covers are pretty simple. I used 2004 vc's on my 03, add the copper gasket sealer, add extra in the two (or four total corners)corners near the timing chain cover, and torque (and loosen) bolts in sequence per fsm. Done. Not sure if it is exactly the same for 00,01,or 02 but cannot be THAT dam different.

Outatime28

I just did a quick search and didn't see anything. I have a basic understanding of the job and it does seem simple, but I'm not sure on how/where to apply the sealant and what the proper torque sequence is. A video or FSM help would be nice.

ACee

http://rs993.pbsrc.com/albums/af58/a...0?t=1389810659

Bolts

http://rs993.pbsrc.com/albums/af58/a...0?t=1389810663

Sealant.

Donkeypunch

The hardest part is the brackets that hold the intake to the engine.
It's a real pain to get too. On my 2000 there are 3 bolts and had to use a low profile socket and ratchet.

Max_Gator

Yes. That is a major pain to even find those, let alone loosen them.

Also op, please consult the fsm. Read the specific procedure. Be educated about what you are doing.

Outatime28

You haven't answered our question of WHERE in te fsm the guide is...

CMax03

iTrader: (3)

Make sure everthing is 100% clean on the mating surfaces, use your RTV at the Cam and cover joint mating surfaces, ensure the valve cover is debris free in the seal groove!

ACee

????

What do you exactly want to know?

Outatime28

Like where in the manual. I can't find it.

ACee

Where what? I thought I posted the correct pages. Its under rocker. Because its the rocker cover.

Outatime28

Pardon my ignorance... Lol

i8acobra

If you're doing the valve cover gaskets, do yourself a favor and do the plugs at the same time. No sense in removing the intake manifold twice.

Phantasm

Assuming it is the same as my 2002 you might as well replace the EGR valve while you have the cover off. mine was attached to the cover. ( 3.5L )

And yes, replace the spark plugs.. Check the coil packs when you pull them, if they are wet with oil on the stems, get the oil out of the well before you pull the plug or it will drain in to the cylinder ( ask me how I know ).

ACee

It's ok. I was getting confused with myself almost. Lol.

MAXIMARK

hey guys, I am going to change the valve covers and gaskets on my m-i-l’s 2003 Maxima. I have some experience having done this on my 1995 Max. With my ’95 I was able to get all the gaskets and the R&R went smoothly - remove, clean, install. I did a spark plug change on her car not long ago and noticed that the #5 spark plug tube had some oil in it. So now I am upgrading to the 2004 valve covers. I understand that the spark plug tube seals are already built in to the plastic VC. When I did my ’95 I had to use new rubber grommets and steel washers. Twenty of these jewels at around $3.00 each! Now with the plastic VC I read that I don’t use the grommets and washers. Do I just reuse the ’03 bolts on the plastic ’04 valve cover? I have the FSM data and the inch pound values to torque the bolts on the new VCs. Any other bits of wisdom others would share that have already done this job would be appreciated.

Be Safe, Mark V.

tosheto

iTrader: (5)

I just reused my old bolts. I do not see a need to get new ones. The 03 should be easier to do than the 95. Good luck!

Roymg

I have to admire you guys for doing your own gasket replacements. I just replaced mine but I let the dealer attack that job. I looked at what was involved and if it wasn't for the manifold being in the way I probably could have just snugged up some on the backside cover bolts. But I could not see them to do this. So I had Nissan do the job and also add new plugs (97,000 miles). $700 bucks.

Max_Gator

If you are saying use gasket sealer on the entire gasket, that is incorrect. The only place the fsm calls for rtv is in the corners.

I echo the suggestion about following the procedure in the fsm.

Wow. I prefer to do it myself and save $650.

ACee

^^^^this.

MAXIMARK

$160.00 in parts from the dealership that included the oil cooler gasket. $160 verses $700 - you do the math. The 3.5 UIM really is not that hard in comparison to my 1995 3.0.

Just follow the instructions at http://www.greghome.com/Greg%27s%20G...eplacement.htm Twenty-nine pictures with captions. The satisfaction of no leaking oil running down the exhaust shields and dripping onto the garage floor is great.

One major caution if you are going to take off the UIM for replacing the rear VC gasket or whatever... DO NOT MOVE THE THROTTLE BODY BLADE!!! It is almost irresistible when you see how dirty it is, but don't do it! Use TB spray and spray around it - do not push open the blade or you may get the P0507 DTC. Then you'll have to get a stopwatch and play the idle air volume learning procedure game. My idle went up around 900 RPM and was tripping the too high idle code. After doing the procedure multiple times it is once again below 700 RPM. Oh well I learned something new as always. I just wish I had read the warnings here before I pushed open the blade to clean the TB... Now cleaning the 3.0 TB is a piece of cake!

Be Safe, Mark V.

Roymg

I agree with you, but I'm beyond working on cars now like I use to do out of the necessity of having to raise a family and pay bills. I could not afford to pay someone to work on my cars especially things like brakes, water pumps, belts-hoses, ac, systems, hydraulics, etc. That's all changed now.

Max_Gator

Fair enough. It is actually a hobby for me.

LabbRat

OK, what catagory is "rocker" under? I looked in EM (Enginge Mechanical) and coudn't find it. Am I looking at this FSM right? I downloaded the entire zip folder for a 2003.

ACee

I searched the pdf file in EM for "rocker" and it first appears under timing chain cover section and then under timing chain. 1st page is EM-22

LabbRat

Cool, thanks I'll check it out!

ACee

yw