G35 Spark plugs covered in oil!!!

[g35sedanlover]

While changing my plugs, I noticed that 3 of the 6 were covered in oil! I searched and found some old threads for the Q were people are having the same problem at like 200,000 miles. The said that it was a seal between the plugs and the valve covers. I looked in the manual and I couldn't find the seal. Has anyone seen this on the G? Does anyone know what part I need to replace?

[tollboothwilley]

was it just the threading of the plugs that were covered in oil, or the tips of the plugs as well??

When i swapped out my plugs i had 1 that had oil on the threads and I thought it was really weird...

[g35sedanlover]

The tips didn't seem to have oil, just the threads and back portion. I am trying to find out if the rocker cover has replaceable seals around the spark plugs holes but I haven't had any luck...

[G_whizz]

Are you burning oil too?

[G35bear]

As i was changing the plugs on my G coupe, i noticed one spark plug had alil oil on the threads.......

[lomita]

Here's the deal. Just discovered this problem on our 05 G35, 21K miles.

On Subaru engines, they make a nice little oil seal that is replaceable.

On this G35 engine, guess what, you get to buy a complete new valve cover! $221 from the dealer over the counter. Infiniti doesn't sell a oil seal replacement for the spark plug tube!

Hat's off to the engineers on this one..........NOT!

[g35sedanlover]

Seems to be a common problem. Anyone find a fix yet (besides new covers)?

[SVTCOBRA]

Seems to be a common problem. Anyone find a fix yet (besides new covers)?

Bump, Had 1 covered in oil too. ^^

[smockers83]

Could something like this be covered under warranty?

[lomita]

Our's is covered under warranty; need to schedule the visit to the dealer. We got great gas mileage after changing to the Nippondenso Iridium Long Life plugs, at least out on the highway. Checking the mpg now on the next tank of gas around town.

[impulsive84]

Just got my G, found this problem whilst changing spark plugs. Size up a a few O-rings that will fit into the gap between valve cover spark hole/sparkplug tube. To test the fit slide one onto the plug coil and when it nears the tapered end point, it should almost, but not quite fit over the taper shoulder. I'm waiting till next time I have my intake mani off to see how they are doing.

[SVTCOBRA]

I spoke to my local infiniti service dept. They said that mine should be covered & I should make an appointment.At first, he thought this happened AFTER I changed the plugs. I repeated what the problem was a little slower and I think he got it.He must have just moved up from Jeffylube.Anyway, I had taken some pics, so I'll run those up for him to take a look at.

[smockers83]

So if I take my engine apart and find that the spark plugs have oil on them, I can say, "Hey do some work"? I'll admit I have no freakin clue about spark plugs, how would oil get on them? Obviously oil on it degrades performance, that I can figure out through common sense.

[SVTCOBRA]

the plugs go thru the valve covers, so the covers must have some seals to keep the oil out of the plug cylinders. If they leak, you get oil on the threads. I consulted one of my buddy's who is a master car/truck mechanic and he told me not to worry about it. But, Infitini tells me that they should be able to do it under warranty, so I'm going to visit them soon.I took pics to show them.

[smockers83]

Ah, ok, so its just the threads, not the tips. Let us know if they do actually fix it besides just saying they did.

[lomita]

When we take our baby in for the valve cover warranty replacement, we are going to request to keep the old valve covers.

[impulsive84]

Good call, post pics?

[lomita]

Yesterday, the dealer chose to only replace the left valve cover.

They put down on the repair warranty order that only the gasket was replaced under the valve cover.

We had a little talk this morning and a bird's eye view of the valve cover they in fact changed. It will be sent to Corporate for examination.

One day at a time. This is a patience builder. Known defects in these valve cover spark plug tube seals.

Our removed cover, the seals are mislocated in the openings so that the seals become stretched off to one side, hence, begin leaking oil onto the spark plugs.

Ya think oil conducts electricity and shorts out the plug firing?

Hopefully the gas mileage should come up now.

[BrandAidDesignG35]

just picked up some NGK's from Infiniti, planning to swap them tomorrow, I'm entering a car show tomorrow night, so I'll have some cool pics, and spark plug info to report

I'm concerned I'll have the same issue with the seals, well, let's just say I wouldn't be suprised!

[Road Ruler]

I changed my plugs a while ago and noticed the same oil in tube problem.

I dropped by the Infiniti dealer today and ran the problem by the service guy. He said it was the first G they have heard of that had the problem???

They quoted me 366.40 for 1 cover (part #13264-AM600 and 21.42 for a gasket (12370-8j102. Labour for the job was est at $270.

Total with taxes $743.34

Seems like a rip off. There has to be a better way. Really interested if someone has come up with a solid, economical fix. Otherwise this issue will plaque these G's and the used car lots will be flooded wilth them.

[joe603]

Similar thread...

http://forums.g35club.org/zerothread/355022