Wet the spark plugs of back side of engine.

[Ryan Heo]

My 96 I30 was found a serious problem which is the spark plugs on the back side of engine wet by engine oil. Not even slightly... It's like somebody pours engine oil at the spark plug holes. Funny thing is that a starting is good and exactly drive like a normal condition. Unless I have would lilke to replace spark plus, I had never don't notice that. I don't know why. It wasn't until last week I'm sure. Just all what I did are cleaned throttle body and IAC valve. How to fix it? Would you let me know?

The problem is now. I should go to NewYork tomorrow morning where from Michigan. Almost 600mi. Can I30 make it? Thanks.

[Beancooker]

I don't have my Maxima anymore to go look at it, but I would guess it to be the valve cover gasket. If it were the head gasket, it would most likely have water in the oil, and your oil would look "creamy". 600 miles is a long ways to take a car that has a known oil leak. Personally, I would take the wife's car, or rent one. It's your call on that one.

[Presscott707]

That sounds just like a valve cover gasket. the little rings for the spark plug holes always go bad first on most cars. my car is doing the same thing.

[Ryan Heo]

Finally. The I30 was made it on 600mi today. Even the gas mileage was pretty good 29~30m/gal. However the starting engine needs to be long cranked. I didn't check the engine yet after I arrived in Newyork. It will be checked it tomorrow and would let me know about the valve cover gasket (the spark plug hole seals) and how to replace the gaskets? I tried to find the gasket on the repire manual but I couldn't.Thanks.

[maxhopper]

The instructions and diagrams can be found in this section of the FSM. http://www.nicoclub.com/FSM/maxima/1996/EM.pdf

You will need to undue the upper wiring harness, and disconnect the throttle cables.Disconnect the intake piping from the throttle body.Remove two 12mm nuts supporting the rear of the intake plenum.Remove the EGR tube (two 12mm nuts) from the rear of the intake plenum (near the throttle body).Disconnect all the vacuum lines.Remove the bolts/nuts holding the upper intake to the lower intake, and move the upper intake aside.Remove the valve cover bolts.Remove the valve covers.Replace the gaskets.

[Ryan Heo]

Thank scott.And would you let me know how to clean the oil up?I bought throttle body cleaner today.

[maxhopper]

Don't worry about the oil. As long as too much does not get into the spark plug holes, it will just burn off when the engine is ran.

[Fezzik]

I had this problem and the way i cleaned the oil was just to put paper towels in there and let it soak up. until most of its gone and then you will e fine. Like maxhopper(scott) said oil wont hurt it. It'll burn off and smoke a little more briefly.

[Ryan Heo]

I will do tomorrow morning before rising the outside temp.Thanks guys.

[Ryan Heo]

I will do tomorrow morning before rising the outside temp.Thanks guys.

[Ryan Heo]

I replaced valve cover gasket to the back side of engine at today morning but it is still leaking into spark wells. It spent almost 4 hours. I don't know what I was wrong. It just replaced old to new one. However the New spark plug tubes are a little different shape so I'm not sure that which side is the front or back? That's only what I suspected. It was taken a picture.I will send this picture to you by e-mail if you would like to... I'm really frausted now.

[Ryan Heo]

I did the whole process again today moring. However there is still leaking on the back side of spark plug well in where the driver side of well.If this is a picture of the engine ---> 0 0 X 0 0 0 "Front"

The only problem is "X" position. When the valve cover was taken off, the tube gasket was hanged in the middle of the spark plug well column. I mean that the tube was out of the hole. So I replaced new one and put it in by lubber hammer. But it doesn't work.

[coolhand]

Did your valve cover kit come with O-ring gaskets? Usually the oil gets in the well when these gaskets are worn. Where did you get the gasket kit from?

[Ryan Heo]

It was bought from Autozone.

Felpro / Valve Cover GasketRubberWith grommets and spark plug tube seals, Permadry molded rubber gasket included.

Part Number: VS50494R

I think I replaced the o-ring.

Thanks.

[coolhand]

Try the dealer set. they work much better.

[1997i30]

Coolhand, I am also replacing my valve covers..am I reading the tightening torque for the valve covers right at around 45-65lbs? that seems really tight...thanks

[coolhand]

I am not sure but that sounds like a lot. Where did you get this torque number? Check a maunal for clarification.

[Ryan Heo]

Can I use RTV silicon for spark plug tube seal?If it can be worked, where do I put the RVT ?

[maxhopper]

Coolhand, I am also replacing my valve covers..am I reading the tightening torque for the valve covers right at around 45-65lbs? that seems really tight...thanks

That's in-lbs (inch-pounds) not ft-lbs (foot-pounds), and it's actually 47.7-65.1in-lbs.

[maxhopper]

Can I use RTV silicon for spark plug tube seal?If it can be worked, where do I put the RVT ?

Try the dealer set. they work much better.

I thought you had learned your lesson with the transmission about taking the cheap way out. I'm not trying to be an ***, but you get what you pay for. I always get OEM gaskets and seals from one of the sponsors when I am working on an engine or transmission. That's fine that you got the gaskets cheaper; but looking back, was it really worth it?

That being said, I can tell you have a passion for your car, and you are eager for as much knowledge as you can get.

I just think that you would have much better results if you slowed down, and did things the proper way the first time. To me, it seems that you have taken on a massive amount of problem/projects in a very short period of time. I understand that you want to solve all the problems as economically as possible, but you need to look at how you are doing that, and if there are any tangible savings.

I apologize for lecturing.

[Ryan Heo]

I bought OEM part for the front axle seal finally and the professional mechanic replaced the seal two days ago. It is still leaking now. What can I do any more? Even I bought a transmission fan gasket, which is OEM part, but it is still leaking. I know what you say but I think some of the after market of infiniti parts is equivalent to OEM part. What I'm thinking is that "the repair" doesn't mean just exchange the parts. As you know, the car is needed to assemble more than 2 thousand parts. So all of the nut and bolt should be balanced and ordered. I'm learning now from you, in NICO, and some other people. I accept your advice so the parts will be ordered by OEM. I will try again.And let you know the result. Would let me know the part number of spark plug tube seal? I couldn't find in nissanpart.org.

Thanks a lot for advice.

Anyway so can I use the RTV silicon to the tube seal and fan gasket?Could you tell me?


Modified by Ryan Heo at 5:54 AM 8/16/2007

[1997i30]

Thanks Maxhopper97...you're right 47.7-65.1 inch-lbs. what's the best way to know how tight is that?

[1997i30]

Sorry found the answer..duhh12 IN/LB = 1 FT/LB47.7-65.1inch-lbs=3.9-5.4 ft-lbs

[Ryan Heo]

Hi.I have to tell maxhopper97 something.You were completely correct.

I ordered the spark plug tube seal by OEM parts. Those are arrived to me now. I compared the Fel-pro gasket to OEM parts. It is totally different.The after market gasket is the same shape for the both sides of spark plug wells. However the OEM seal has each one for the right side and the left side. That's why there is still leaking. I'm really really frustrated now.I knew the Fel-pro's seal is a little different compare to old OEM one.But I just overlook the difference.

This time I learn very important things. Thank for NICO and especially maxhopper97.

[maxhopper]

You're welcome. Glad you found the problem.

[Ryan Heo]

Which models of the Maxima is the same as 96' I30?My town doesn't have a infiniti dealer. Here is only a nissan dealer.When I asked about the parts, they don't sure whether the I30 is identical to Maxima. I sometimes need to buy OEM parts to the nissan dealer urgently even though almost all parts have been bought on the Internet dealer. Thanks.

[MinisterofDOOM]

'95 to '99 are the same as your I30.

[maxhopper]

I would stick with 95-96 on most things. There were some differences between some of the sensors on the 95-96 .vs 97-99.

[Cattpiss]

If it were the head gasket, it would most likely have water in the oil, and your oil would look "creamy"

That and the friggin headgasket is below the plug not over it...probably have a hard time leaking UP...there's that thing called gravity

Jeff