2002 QX4 Valve Covers

[gcjazz12]

This weekend I took off the valve covers thinking I would replace the gaskets to stop leaks on both sides that have been going on for years. They've really gotten bad and the leaking oil was starting to smoke under the hood basically every time I drove it.

I bought the aftermarket replacement gaskets and tube seals in a kit and thought I'd replace everything and be on my way but now I'm thinking that the tube seals in my valve covers are not replaceable. I talked to one of the parts distributors who is routinely mentioned on this forum and they more or less verified this is the case. If so, why would the company selling the kit market that as a solution for my vehicle?

I've done much Googling and browsing of this site but there really isn't that much information about it. Someone mentioned using a hole saw to take out the old metal tube seals and replacing with the rubber seals but that seems like a hit or miss job for an amateur like me. Do I really need to buy new valve covers?

[EdBwoy]

If your valve covers are the black, plastic ones, then unfortunately the tube seals are not easily replaceable. Buying new covers is the recommended path.
Some 3.5 engines came with metal valve covers and the spark plug seals in those were removable.

I reckon this thread is what you were referencing?
topic607238.html

[Upgrayedd]

I recently replaced the valve covers & gaskets on my '02 Pathfinder. After asking about it here I was convinced to get new valve covers. I did not want to go through the hassle of replacing just the gaskets only to have the tube seals leak afterwards.

A couple of things to note. I used all OEM Nissan parts. The OEM valve cover gaskets have little nubs on them that keep the gasket seated on the valve covers which is a big help while installing them. I was told that some aftermarket gaskets do not have these nubs. I planned on replacing the rubber breather tubes that go from the PCV valve to the intake and between the covers. It was good that I had them because I had to destroy the old ones in order to remove them. Lastly, the new passenger side valve cover came with a new PCV valve installed on it.

[BubbaFL]

I've done this job on a couple of trucks, both with the plastic valve covers. I just replaced the main rubber gaskets; did not worry about the spark plug tube seals, and haven't had any problems or leaks from them.

I did have trouble getting the gaskets to stay in place while reinstallilng... solution was to use blobs of RTV near all of the bolt holes to keep the gasket in place.

[jimsaba]

There are no replaceable parts on the valve covers. The tube seals ARE NOT replaceable. I found this out the hard way when I bought BECK/ARNLEY gaskets and I set about 'manually' removing the seals in the valve cover thinking they were stuck. Short story is I had to get whole new valve covers. Its strange that no one seems to mention this. I would highly recommend OEM gaskets for this job, the ones I got are already leaking and I've ordered OEM ones this time around.