Oil around the plugs?

[msforever]

Hey guys, while replacing my plugs yesterday on my 2003 G35, I found pretty much oil around the last two plugs. (Closest to the windshield) Both upon and under the plugs, but the other 4 are very clean.

I have no idea where is the oil come from. The car runs fine with no problems, and there is no warning light on. What do you guys think? I will check it later and see if there is oil again. Really wanna know if that could be big problem, thanks!

[SVTCOBRA]

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

Do you have ANY warranty left?? Powertrain or extended??

From what I hear the only fix is to replace the valve cover.

I don't know if it will eventually cause problems, but mine didn't while I had it. I traded it in on a coupe before getting it fixed.

[telcoman]

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

Do you have ANY warranty left?? Powertrain or extended??

From what I hear the only fix is to replace the valve cover.

I don't know if it will eventually cause problems, but mine didn't while I had it. I traded it in on a coupe before getting it fixed.

+1

On other vehicles that I have owned occasionally the bolts that secure the valve covers can loosen over time. You could try to see if any are loose & tighten them if necessary to see if that is the cause of your problem

Telcoman

[msforever]

Thanks guys! Unfortunately I don't have any warranty left. I bought the car about 2 months ago, with 10500 miles on it. I just find it looks like a common problem for the Nissan 3.5 engine, how could Nissan just let it be but don't recall some cars!

So from my research on this problem, seems like the only solution is to replace the whole valve cover, of course it costs pretty much. I am thinking how long the new valve cover could last if we are going to replace them. We don't wanna this to be an annual thing right..

All Nissan 3.5L engine owners should check it out ASAP, and hope we can find a better way to fix it later.

[Joey666Crack]

Hey guys, while replacing my plugs yesterday on my 2003 G35, I found pretty much oil around the last two plugs. (Closest to the windshield) Both upon and under the plugs, but the other 4 are very clean.

I have no idea where is the oil come from. The car runs fine with no problems, and there is no warning light on. What do you guys think? I will check it later and see if there is oil again. Really wanna know if that could be big problem, thanks!

I haven't personally worked on the VQ yet but with most cars replacing a valve cover isn't that hard. If you have a socket set you pretty much can get it done in less than 2 hours.

[telcoman]

Thanks guys! Unfortunately I don't have any warranty left. I bought the car about 2 months ago, with 10500 miles on it. I just find it looks like a common problem for the Nissan 3.5 engine, how could Nissan just let it be but don't recall some cars! .

I am assuming the mileage is 105k and not 10500.With 105k miles and leaking valve covers I don't think this qualifies for a recall or it is Nissan's fault if the vehicle has not had regular service.When you purchase a six almost 7 year old vehicle the advantage for you is you save much of the initial depreciation that occurs on any new vehicle.On the other hand you need to set aside a reserve to cover unforseen maintenance issues. When you purchase a used vehicle from a dealer youwill pay a little more but usually with some sort of warranty on a certified used car. Purchase from a private owner and you save some money but your purchase is as is.

If it is just leaking a small amount of oil I wouldn't worry about it. Check your oil regularly to determine if it is worth the expense?

I added power steering fluid to my old 74 Mazda for more than a year before finally selling the car. I told the buyer to always carry a qt of power steering fluid unless they were prepared to replace the power steering pump.

Keep a qt of oil in your trunk just in case

Good luck

Telcoman

[SVTCOBRA]

I haven't personally worked on the VQ yet but with most cars replacing a valve cover isn't that hard. If you have a socket set you pretty much can get it done in less than 2 hours.

Check the FSM for your car.http://www.nicoclub.com/FSM/G35/

I checked on my 05 Sedan and looks like you have to take the top of the engine off (intake manifold) before you can take the valve covers (referred to Rocker Covers in FSM). You can find the Rocker Cover Installation in the Index PDF IDX

If it were me, I would monitor the leak. Probably wouldn't do anything about it. If I did decide to replace the cover, I would seriously consider adding a SPACER for some HP gains.

I would also check prices at Infiniti then at my local NISSAN dealer on the parts and also on them doing it.

For me, I would get the parts at NISSAN cause they give me a discount.THey are usually cheaper on any type of service for everybody.

[msforever]

I am assuming the mileage is 105k and not 10500.With 105k miles and leaking valve covers I don't think this qualifies for a recall or it is Nissan's fault if the vehicle has not had regular service.When you purchase a six almost 7 year old vehicle the advantage for you is you save much of the initial depreciation that occurs on any new vehicle.On the other hand you need to set aside a reserve to cover unforseen maintenance issues. When you purchase a used vehicle from a dealer youwill pay a little more but usually with some sort of warranty on a certified used car. Purchase from a private owner and you save some money but your purchase is as is.

Telcoman

Yes you are right it is 105K sorry for my mistake, and I totally understand that the risk of buying an used car, and I would like to take it of course. By the way the car has been maintaining by the dealership all the time, and just done the 90K maintenance over there last year, a book of record in hand and that's one of the reason of buying it. I am just saying that if the problem is not uncommon and have been bothering so many owners, Nissan at least should do something such like producing some reliable valve covers for us to purchase.

I will keep an eye on the oil trunk and consider the expense, if it is really minor I think I will just let it be. Thanks very much man!
Modified by msforever at 12:38 AM 4/13/2009

[SVTCOBRA]

Yes, the problem is not uncommon and Nissan should recall or extend the warranty thru 100K miles at least. Ford extended the warranty on some V6's due to faulty head gaskets.

I would hope that Nissan has updated the valve covers by now with better gaskets.