valve cover gasket, 2002 I35
valve cover gasket, 2002 I35
I noticed oil in one spark plug chamber when putting in new spark plugs. A friend of mine suggested changing the valve cover gasket. I was wondering what else may need to be changed? I heard there are individual gaskets around each spark plug? Is this true, and should they be changed as well?
-
jltibbs
- Moderator
- Posts: 3706
- Joined: Fri Sep 09, 2005 5:42 pm
- Car: 2015 Nissan Versa SL
1994 Infiniti Q45
2000 Infiniti I30 - Location: Murfreesboro, TN
- Contact:
Re: valve cover gasket, 2002 I35 (mprice)
usually when you get a valve cover gasket set it comes with the gaskets, valve cover grommets, and spark plug tube seals. the only things i found for your motor are as follows:
FEL-PRO valve cover gasket part number - VS 50608 RFEL-PRO valve stem seals part number - SS 72821
good luck with it bro.
FEL-PRO valve cover gasket part number - VS 50608 RFEL-PRO valve stem seals part number - SS 72821
good luck with it bro.
Re: valve cover gasket, 2002 I35 (mprice)
Ok, our plastic valve covers have the seals around the plug chambers integrated into the actual valve cover so unfortunately, you cannot replace them by themselves.
However, I had the same problem and before I really even checked it out on my car, I called up Dave Burnette at southpoint nissan and ordered an A34 (6th gen years 2004-current) valve cover and gasket figuring the valve cover was cracked. Upon installation, I discovered that the seals over the spark plugs on the rear bank had just slipped up over the top of the chamber and nothing was actually broken. So IMO before you buy anything, just remove your valve cover and re-install it making sure to push those seals down over the chamber making it an oil tight fit.
The reason I ordered the A34 VC as opposed to the A33B one was because it was something like $30 vs. $100 for the A33B one and they're the same part.
Also, which chamber is/are leaking? If it's the rear VC that you're wanting to replace, it comes from the dealership with a new PCV valve, so that's a plus. But like I said before, just try adjusting it first. If you don't mind spending $30, then order the A34 cover as the seals are a bit more rubbery and are less prone to slipping up on the metal spark plug chamber than our more plastic-like seals. I wouldn't worry about getting the gasket though. I got it and IMO it was a waste of $15 because mine was in perfect condition at 60k miles. Good luck!
However, I had the same problem and before I really even checked it out on my car, I called up Dave Burnette at southpoint nissan and ordered an A34 (6th gen years 2004-current) valve cover and gasket figuring the valve cover was cracked. Upon installation, I discovered that the seals over the spark plugs on the rear bank had just slipped up over the top of the chamber and nothing was actually broken. So IMO before you buy anything, just remove your valve cover and re-install it making sure to push those seals down over the chamber making it an oil tight fit.
The reason I ordered the A34 VC as opposed to the A33B one was because it was something like $30 vs. $100 for the A33B one and they're the same part.
Also, which chamber is/are leaking? If it's the rear VC that you're wanting to replace, it comes from the dealership with a new PCV valve, so that's a plus. But like I said before, just try adjusting it first. If you don't mind spending $30, then order the A34 cover as the seals are a bit more rubbery and are less prone to slipping up on the metal spark plug chamber than our more plastic-like seals. I wouldn't worry about getting the gasket though. I got it and IMO it was a waste of $15 because mine was in perfect condition at 60k miles. Good luck!
Re: valve cover gasket, 2002 I35 (LA02MAX)
Are the spark plug seals and grommets the same thing?
What does "IMO" stand for?
When I take the valve cover off will I see all of the spark plug seals?And won't I need a new valve cover gasket once I take off the valve cover. I'm thinking the valve cover gasket will break once I take off the VC.Are the gaskets just rubber, or are they glued in with some kind of silicon?
What does "IMO" stand for?
When I take the valve cover off will I see all of the spark plug seals?And won't I need a new valve cover gasket once I take off the valve cover. I'm thinking the valve cover gasket will break once I take off the VC.Are the gaskets just rubber, or are they glued in with some kind of silicon?
Re: valve cover gasket, 2002 I35 (mprice)
The only seals you need to worry about are the ones built into the actual valve cover. They probably just slipped up over the actual spark plug chamber causing it to leak.mprice wrote:Are the spark plug seals and grommets the same thing?
What does "IMO" stand for?
When I take the valve cover off will I see all of the spark plug seals?And won't I need a new valve cover gasket once I take off the valve cover. I'm thinking the valve cover gasket will break once I take off the VC.Are the gaskets just rubber, or are they glued in with some kind of silicon?
IMO stands for "in my opinion"
If you unbolt the VC, you will see the small circular rubber seals that go around the spark plug chambers (3 on each bank). You can also see them by looking at your spark plugs with the coils removed as they go around that metal chamber the spark plugs are housed in.
The gasket is just a strip of very durable rubber, and like I said, mine felt exactly like the new one I bought, so I really don't think there's any need to replace it upon removing the valve cover.
Just remove the coils and look at the metal "tube" that the spark plugs are in (the chamber I've been talking about) and look to see if those rubber seals on the outside slipped up over the top. If so, all you need to do is remove the VC real quick and re-install it making sure to adjust those rubber seals further down the chamber so that they don't slip again.
But like I said before, it seems that the new maxima's valve covers have a bit more of a rubbery (ie: sticky) material making up the seals which, I think, will help prevent the same thing from happening in the future. It's not a bad buy at $30 and you get a PCV valve and everything. Good luck, and let us know what you find!