Valve Cover Gasket and... while you're there

[airman]

Hi,

My 97 q45 has 162K and valve cover gasket is leaking for a while. I'm going to fix it and asking your advice what else should be done, while I'm there.

I thought knock sensors would be good candidate, what else? I'm also going to replace alternator as it started making whining noise (Infiniti tech checked it and found diodes are going out). Other than that, engine runs great and smooth, I keep it in good shape and perform all preventive maintenance, change fluids regulary. I did spark plugs and O2 sensors at 110K. Anything other you suggest to do at this stage?

Thanks,Paul

[qship96]

Only overlap as far as labor while doing valve cover gaskets is to replace the spark plugs....yours now are at aprox. half life,so do them while you are in there and be done in that area for the next 100,000 miles.Knock sensors must have plenum removed to access-

[maxnix]

Cleanig the plenum (and that pesky little EGR tube inside it), the EGR and IAC valve along with the throttle body is easily done. Get all the gaskets from Joe.

[airman]

Thanks guys. Any hoses to replace in there?

[maxnix]

Thanks guys. Any hoses to replace in there?

There are a few, but nothing like the VH45DE. The lower plenum gasket is expensive. I would seriously check you KS and harness. Should be about time.
Modified by maxnix at 8:35 AM 12/21/2007

[airman]

Sure, I'm getting KS.

[AlabamaDan]

I'd do the plugs again since you're there.

[tt300z]

to do valve cover gasket THERE IS NO NEED TO REMOVE PELNUM ...to do knock sensors THERE IS NO NEED TO REMOVE PELNUM.... so why are you removing the pelnum?????? the ony thing you need to remove to do vlave on driver side is throttle body....SO WHY REMOVE PELNUM ??????? but if you want go for it.....pain in the a**

[maxnix]

....SO WHY REMOVE PELNUM ???????

To clean it. Once you have removed one and seen the inside, you will understand.

Now get back to your forum. Only big boys and girls here.

[bullittandy]

Do replace the plugs, even though they've got some life left. Use the iridium plugs to save some money as they're $4-5 cheaper (each) than the exact same platinum plug.

You do not have to remove the plenum to replace the knock sensors. I know.

Cleaning the plenum in my opinion is a great idea-if you already have it off. Removing the plenum to clean it is insane-you will gain nothing for your labor.

Check for my post on replacing the valve cover gaskets, the driver's will require quite a bit from the engine to be removed or you can simply cut a small bracket off that stabilizes the air intake tube. come to think of it, will someone find that post? One of you savvy searchers.

[96Qowner]

Voila! C'est ici.

Y33 valve cover gasket replacement

Y33 1997 Q45 Valve cover gasket replacement

[bullittandy]

Thank you sir.

[Skibane]

Use the iridium plugs to save some money as they're $4-5 cheaper (each) than the exact same platinum plug.

IIRC, some members have reported problems in using Iridium plugs in their Qs.

[Haitian_King]

Nothing but NGK Platinum goes in.

[qship96]

No need to deviate from factory plugs,as they will outlast the valve cover reseal job every time..... pluug change interval is really the valve cover reseal interval,about every 80-100k

[Haitian_King]

Cool. I just cracked 90k the other day so I'll be doing my valve covers. Are they an easy job to do? Or should I just have Keith do it while he's doing the guides?

[bullittandy]

IIRC, some members have reported problems in using Iridium plugs in their Qs.

Who? what problems?

[airman]

I checked hoses that accessible and all of them soft. I guess, it means I don't have to change them, right?

[Haitian_King]

I guess. But I'd check all of the hoses. Even the inaccessible ones. I know that one fuel hose in the back is known for leaking and giving a fuel smell in the cabin.

I don't really know the exact time to change hoses, but I know that once they've become dry and brittle they definitely need to go. Yours are still soft, but who knows how long that'll last? I guess since you're there, you might as well change them all so that way you're 100% certain about all of them and their condition.

[bullittandy]

I checked hoses that accessible and all of them soft. I guess, it means I don't have to change them, right?

If they are soft do not replace them.

[bullittandy]

IIRC, some members have reported problems in using Iridium plugs in their Qs.

Sorry, but I have to ask (again) for future searchers-

Who, when what?