Valve cover gaskets success

[skyvette427]

So i decided to "save" $350 i was quoted to replace the valve cover gaskets and do a tune up while at it.

I was a little scared due to other threads on the site advising to take to a mechanic but i still went for it.

It did take me a little over 10 hrs but I took my time with all steps and was successful. The driver side which seems daunting isnt really that hard... once all the air intake stuff is removed, its even more roomier than the passenger side. This is my first true repair adventure and it was something anyone can do.

I did have a couple scares.. once i finished the driver side, i started up to test but unknowingly forgot to plug a vacuum hose which made the car stall. I found the issue and corrected it but forgot to plug a switch/sensor going over the hose which caused the TCS/SLIP lights to come on.. That was also corrected. Worst of all was smelling burnt oil while testing... i thought i had put the gasket in wrong ( it is a pain trying to put the cover back on with the gasket without it falling out of place) however this was just because during the removal process some oil leaked out therefore the burnt smell.

I was able to replace all spark plugs which were pretty bad but unfortunately they shipped me 4 coils that were not for the car so i will have to return those and still take apart the driver side...

Overall like i said it wasnt that hard... if youre thinking of doing it, take your time is the best advice.

Some pics



















BTW.. That bracket doesnt need to be removed or cut... just slightly bent upwards

[elwesso]

Very nice, looks similar to a G50.. It's not bad just have to take your time and be patient...

[Skibane]

I was able to replace all spark plugs which were pretty bad but unfortunately they shipped me 4 coils that were not for the car so i will have to return those and still take apart the driver side...

Oh, man, I F'n HATE IT when that kind of stuff happens!!!

This is one reason why I prefer OEM replacement parts for labor-intensive jobs - Less chance of discovering that a part doesn't fit after you've spent the last 4 hours removing all the parts around it.

[chipahoy]

Changing the valve cover gaskets on the Q45 can be a tedious and long process. good idea to change the plugs even if they don't need it since you have to remove them all anyway. also a good idea, as one poster suggested, to get some good high quality electrical tape and rewind the wiring harness. Take your time. it is definitely a PIA as i have had mine off three times now b/c i cant stand any oil leaks and they are hard to seal. use the 1/4 drive set too, as i learned the hard way breaking off one bolt in the front (fortunately not in the back). check with a mirror as another poster suggested in the back for leaks. don't be afraid to clean your engine when you are done with purple power or simple green soak it good and they after it sits for a few minutes hose it down. nothing worse than working on a dirty engine. also make sure you use the correct gasket cement, nissan approved, the grey permatex works good.