1994 Q45 engine oil leak

[j. p. penn]

1994 Q45, 103,000 miles, an oil leak on the left side of the engine. The leak is droping from directly above the oil filter with a few drops a day droping on the center of the oil filter. It appears to engine oil. anyone had this problem, or thoughts. I guess my car is now a "Klunker", can not afford those dealer quotes, so i'm trying to keep it going and avoid those payments on a new model. thanks, jppenn

[qship96]

Most likely it is the valve cover gasket leaking- happens to EVERY Q sooner or later.

[j. p. penn]

thanks. I'm afraid that you are correct. do you or others have information on skills required for a shadetree job on my driveway, or where i can find good information and directions to do the job "in-house". jppenn

[qship96]

tons of posts and writeups on how to replace gaskets on this site- search using terms like "valve covers" or leaking valve covers- search both in the Q45 forum, and the infiniti online mechanic forum using the bright red blinking "search" icon .

[j. p. penn]

qship96,thanks for the info. I will try the search. kinda new at this computer stuff but am about to get the hang of it. thanks again jppenn

[Infinitiguy19]

Berner (Unknown007) did this job so I think you can do it, No offense to Berner but he was younger.

But you just need organization with the VH, that could be said for anything else in life. But organization will go a long way. I can look this up in ALL DATA for you and see if I can give you step by step directions, But then again ALL DATA just gets there data from the service manual.

But Organization and good memory is the key!

[maxnix]

I can look this up in ALL DATA for you and see if I can give you step by step directions, But then again ALL DATA just gets there data from the service manual.

If only that were true!

The veterans here know it as "Some Data" and not up to the level of detail in the FSM.

[Infinitiguy19]

No doubts there after all there a big company that makes shop programs for shop owners and mechanics. I don't think they go into specifics because they expect the mechanic to make up for that.

Either way I get your point.

But the all powerful FSM is no bullet proof, I found so many error's or examples of cost cutting/laziness. I suppose its because I have too much time on my hands and am overlay obsessed with the Q45 to the point that I don't care about perfection anymore (Kinda where Wes is at I think).

[j. p. penn]

have been looking for information and "simplified idiot" directions for replacing the valve cover gaskets. today it is smelling bad and wife says do something! (she really means to get rid of the Q, but that is not going to happen yet.) direction to any other sites with good pictures and directions is appreciated. thanks, jppenn

[Q451990]

JP,

Do you have your factory service manual? If not it's available in our library at http://www.nicoclub.com/FSM/

The gaskets are available at one of our sponsors, http://www.everythinginfiniti.com. You might call them at the toll free number on the site. They are Infiniti of Scottsdale in AZ. Great guys to work with.

There's nothing earth shattering about replacing the gasket if you're mechanically inclined. Just remove everything above them and it's a bolt off, bolt on type deal. I would order new gaskets for your throttle body and replace the spark plugs with OEM NGK plugs while you're in there.

Good luck!

Heath

[Q451990]

Here's a good thread with pictures.

zerothread?id=107690

Heath

[maxnix]

And here's a good price that includes not only the gaskets, but the rubber lined washers for the later models:

http://www.speedycarparts.com/....html

Ishino Valve Cover Gasket Set - Direct FIT OE Replacement1995 Infiniti Q45 •Availability: In Stock•Fitment Note: This gasket set includes 1 #13270-67U00 valve cover gasket, 1 #13270-67U10 valve cover gasket, and 36 #13268-97E00 valve cover sealing washers..•Type: Direct Fit Oe Replacement•Part Number: W0133-1619941•Low Price Guarantee

[BLACKonBLACK98]

that's not ios supplied oem! wtf is going on here?

[j. p. penn]

THANKS FOR LINK TO FSM, BUT IT DOESN'T TELL OR SHOW ME MUCH. WILL ORDER FROM THE SCOTTSDALE PEOPLE, AS THEY HAD THE BEST PRICE ON ANOTHER ITEM. I'M GOING TO GIVE IT A TRY, AND PROBABLY REPLACE THE PLUGS WHILE IN THERE. JPPENN

[j. p. penn]

HAVE LOOKED AT THE LINK. WITH THOSE PICTURES, I THINK I/LL MAKE IT.THANKS, JPPENN

[j. p. penn]

MAXNIX,CHECKED THE SPEEDY CAR PARTS SITE FOR A PRICE OF $87.95. I'M NOW CONFUSED, FOR INFINITI SCOTTSDALE HAS THE SET FOR 32.22. HAVE TO CHECK TO SEE IF SCOTTSDALE HAS THE 36 SEALING WASHERS INCLUDED, FOR THAT IS A LOT OF DIFFERENCE. SEEMS LIKE APPLES TO BANANAS.THANKS, JPPENN

[qship96]

Other than Brian, in the last 7 years here on the boards I cant recall a single other owner ever mentioning replacing these washers with new ones when resealing their valvecovers- and no complaints of any oil leaks from failing to do so after redoing the job. I dont believe even T3 replaces them as part of the job as they did not charge me for the parts to do so when I had the procedure done there.

[elwesso]

Other than Brian, in the last 7 years here on the boards I cant recall a single other owner ever mentioning replacing these washers with new ones when resealing their valvecovers- and no complaints of any oil leaks from failing to do so after redoing the job. I dont believe even T3 replaces them as part of the job as they did not charge me for the parts to do so when I had the procedure done there.

only reason to replace them would be if you lose them, Id think... Last cover job I did (not fun!!!) all of them were intact and fine...

[maxnix]

only reason to replace them would be if you lose them, Id think... Last cover job I did (not fun!!!) all of them were intact and fine...

Actually, I bet they were hard and deformed just like mine. The washers from IoS are about $4 each.

The new ones a supple and definitely will give a little more springing play and correct torque values on the valve covers.

I am sure most owners will not pay for them if they can skip them. I want to go another 100K before doing the job, or having it done for me then, again.

A little detail that DIY can be superior to shop low ball most customers want.

Here's a news flash! Most shopw wont's clean the intake, lower runners, or tha valley of the dead KS unless you want to pay shop rates for that. Easily doubles the labor.