Valve Covers Leaking 94Q

[Rex]

I started this thread two and half weeks ago and these guys called it. Colder weather set in which is the 40's is Southern California and a couple of drops of oil on the ground then a week later the engine started smoking. The car is at the dealer getting the valve cover gaskets replaced and new plugs. At least I have a G35 loaner, but prefer the 94Q.

For the experts out there, what other major repairs should I expect. 94Q original owner, 125M, fuel injectors replaced, fuel pump. Maintained meticously as far as oil changes every 3M, trans flush every 30M, etc. I am planning new struts next year. I would like to see if I can hold on to this car until 200M.

Do you know how close you were to an oil change?

In the brutal cold weather (teens to single digits) when I'm near an OCI (~2700 miles) I get the slightest hint of oil smell, but I have to be looking (sniffing) for it by the pass wheel well.

[rob1]

I had about 2300 miles since the last oil change. How would dirty oil cause more leakage? I would think cleaner oil may leak easier, but never noticed any pattern.

BTW got the car back with new plugs and a $900 bill.

[Rex]

I had about 2300 miles since the last oil change. How would dirty oil cause more leakage? I would think cleaner oil may leak easier, but never noticed any pattern.

BTW got the car back with new plugs and a $900 bill.

The oil begins to "break down" and would therefore be *thinner* allowing for easier leaking??

Just a theory.

[qsiguy]

My leak and smell started just after an oil change. FYI

[blind6]

I know this is late but I replaced my gaskets on my 97 in Feb05 because my wife was pregnant and couldn't stomach the smell anymore. I used gasket maker and the factory gaskets. Don't forget to clean the cats off or the smell will remain till it burns off completely. Also, I learned that the connectors to the spark plugs must be removed first when I gave it a "little tug" and broke off all 4 on the drivers side. I was pissed!!!!!!!!! At the time I knew nobody in the Infiniti community and the dealer was not an option. I found Midway in AZ and they hooked up a price around $450 under the dealers price on the island. Needless to say it was a fun learning evolution which caused me to hate the Q. Now I'm glad we decided to keep it and get it back to looking and running great.

[Q45denver]

Takes about hour with engine out of car (both sides). No need to remove plugs, but good idea to remove boots or you might tear them as I think you indicated. I don't care for the RTV. Messy and it seems like it could clog an oil galley if you put too much on and it got in the engine.

[Jeff Williams]

If yo uare going to replace the fan blades, go ahead and replace the fan clutch, It will go bad, trust me.

[maxnix]

I don't care for the RTV. Messy and it seems like it could clog an oil galley if you put too much on and it got in the engine.

Correct! One must use new gaskets to get the OEM specified resilience and dorrect torque. Substituting RTV is a poor band-aid.

[Jesda]

The manual calls for RTV on older Qs.

[Rex]

And, IIRC, the FSM calls for a small amount of RTV to be used in conjunction with the gaskets on the 94-96 G50's.

[squeefoo]

And, IIRC, the FSM calls for a small amount of RTV to be used in conjunction with the gaskets on the 94-96 G50's.

If the '94 - '96 Q's had the cam plugs that's where they put the RTV.

[blind6]

I ran a bead around both valve covers and on the block. I can't seem to get the front of my pass side valve cover to stop leaking though. It's strange cause it is sealed everywhere else but by those front bolts. Could over tightening have caused this or are use suppose to use a type of threadlock to keep them from backing out?

[Q45denver]

Not sure on a 97, but on the earlier ones you had to put RTV around the cam sensor.