Hey,
I'm about to replace some maintenance parts like spark plugs and PCV valves on the Q. I plan on obtaining these goodies from Rock Auto. When it comes to plugs I know NGK Platinum's are the gospel. However, Rock Auto doesn't necessarily have OE PCV valve but the Beck/Arnley says to be Direct OE Replacement. Can I roll with that instead of a Genuine Infiniti PCV valve?

I've been using Purolator PVCs on my I30 and Maxima for years without issue. I see Rock sells Standard Motor Products Intermotor brand. I've found SMP Intermotor parts to be the same part as Nissan OEM. In many cases the SMP Intermotor parts carry the Nissan logo. Actually Federal Mogul, the company that owns SMP is a Nissan Just-In-Time supplier to Nissan manufacturing.

I don't know if I trust rock auto with their so called OEM "iridium" plugs I saw last time. I compared and I think it was like an $18 difference for 8 plugs from the dealer. As far as the PCV 12 years ago when I accrued my Q the PCV valve was supposedly in need of replacement as per the nissan dealer. One of the first parts I attacked myself on my Q along with many others. It may be cheap to replace but a $5 can of cleaner whatever I cleaned it with (honestly can't remember. Carb cleaner? or?) is more satisfying than replacing the $20+ part? I haven't touched it since. I could be wrong but within my experience of maintaining a broad range of engines they just get clogged and stuck. I don't think I have ever actually replaced one. Even though it is a dirt cheap part it can still kill your engine as if its malfunctioning it will mess with your oil pressures. Clean it ASAP. If for some reason you can't get peace of mind cleaning it, spend the $20 something bucks replacing it. But I don't think a PCV valve EVER needs to be replaced.

*Can't sleep. For some reason I needed a Q45 fix at 3:30am eastern. hope it helps. Maybe I can't sleep because the Bruins raped my faith this year. Paul, where the frick are ya, I know you're disappointed too.

BCC93QT wrote:I don't know if I trust rock auto with their so called OEM "iridium" plugs I saw last time. I compared and I think it was like an $18 difference for 8 plugs from the dealer. As far as the PCV 12 years ago when I accrued my Q the PCV valve was supposedly in need of replacement as per the nissan dealer. One of the first parts I attacked myself on my Q along with many others. It may be cheap to replace but a $5 can of cleaner whatever I cleaned it with (honestly can't remember. Carb cleaner? or?) is more satisfying than replacing the $20+ part? I haven't touched it since. I could be wrong but within my experience of maintaining a broad range of engines they just get clogged and stuck. I don't think I have ever actually replaced one. Even though it is a dirt cheap part it can still kill your engine as if its malfunctioning it will mess with your oil pressures. Clean it ASAP. If for some reason you can't get peace of mind cleaning it, spend the $20 something bucks replacing it. But I don't think a PCV valve EVER needs to be replaced.

*Can't sleep. For some reason I needed a Q45 fix at 3:30am eastern. hope it helps. Maybe I can't sleep because the Bruins raped my faith this year. Paul, where the frick are ya, I know you're disappointed too.

Thanks for the info. Cleaning is an option to look at and I definitely considered it. I guess I've leaned towards replacing since my guy won't charge labor for it. As long as it's done with installing plugs that is.

OwnerCS wrote:I've been using Purolator PVCs on my I30 and Maxima for years without issue. I see Rock sells Standard Motor Products Intermotor brand. I've found SMP Intermotor parts to be the same part as Nissan OEM. In many cases the SMP Intermotor parts carry the Nissan logo. Actually Federal Mogul, the company that owns SMP is a Nissan Just-In-Time supplier to Nissan manufacturing.

I wonder if there are special circumstances regarding the Q. It seems some have commented the diameter of other brand PVC are completely compatible and my Nissan/Infiniti specialist recommends OEM.

Well I went with the OEM PCV valves but ordered my NGK platinum plugs from RockAuto. Thanks for the input.

I'm not sure if it's even worth replacing the PCV valve. it's just a metal spring with a metal flapper, it gets gummed up just like the rest of the metal parts, so I just cleaned it with carb cleaner and marched on. Rattles just like it was new after spraying it.

Never replace the PCV valve in my opinion. Just clean it regularly if you are worried. Like you said Wiggler its just a spring. The only possible failure of this part is if the spring. Apply the laws of physics. I think the spring is made of steel? Trying to recall.... Half the crap they teach you in school you only use a handful of times..... Any sort of metal spring will eventually fail due to excessive stress and amount of elasticity used over a given amount of time. If compressed in any longevity of time it will lose its elasticity. I keep thinking about Nitinol which is "memory metal". I guess I gotta dig out the books tomorrow. Forgot about the spring chapters. Even if the spring loses some of its elasticity it is still contained and won't really matter unless restricted in a severe way.

So, clean several times, if unsuccessful replace spring, if you are uncomfortable with replacing the spring bite the bullet and buy a new PCV. Either way thank you as I will be digging through my old books tomorrow at breakfast