Check this before your powertrain warranty is up!

[bythabay]

Originally Posted by bocatrip

I hate to have to go back twice for the same problem. Do you think calling consumer affairs about doing both valve cover gaskets will get me anywhere?

Well the thing is sometimes they don't leak for a long time, which is the way it's supposed to be. But even if they fix both for you right now, it's only a matter of time before they leak again.

[bocatrip]

Between the brakes, tires, compression rods, window motors , actuators, and now valve cover gaskets, this car is falling into the category of "high maintenance". Thank god for the elite extended warranty.

[yogi41]

just got my car back today they replaced both valve covers and the rocker covers. They gave me a loaner g35 sedan and man the new g35 is pretty damn fast. I got back in my car and it felt much slower than the sedan.

[bythabay]

Originally Posted by yogi41

just got my car back today they replaced both valve covers and the rocker covers. They gave me a loaner g35 sedan and man the new g35 is pretty damn fast. I got back in my car and it felt much slower than the sedan.

fyi

valve covers = rocker covers

[yogi41]

i'll double check what they replaced but there were 2 valve covers replaced and I remember seeing 2 rocker _________ i don't remember but I'll post up what they replaced when I get off work.

[Onibaku]

2003.5 Coupe with 68k miles, I was dry, but went ahead and changed the plugs while we were down there. Stay on the lookout people!

[SteveZ]

Originally Posted by bythabay

I think most people won't know there is a problem until the try to swap the plugs out at 100k

Or 60 months, whichever comes first according to the regular schedule of maintenance. I'm still at 55k or so, but at 65 months. It's a time and mileage deal, plugs that last 100k assume you're driving the car at least the "normal" 12k miles a year.

Anyway the car's been running a bit rough at idle, I pulled the plugs, I wanted to check the TB for soot/sludge buildup anyway (there is some). Plugs are easy to change if you don't mind removing a lot of other 10mm bolts holding brackets in the way and taking off your intake tube.

First, the gap on four that I checked was well over 0.050", about 0.055". So if they went in correctly they started out at 0.042-0.043", there's a good amount of the tip worn off. The other two I didn't check the gap, because they were soaked in oil #2 (by the oil dipstick) and #6 (by the TB) had about 1" of oil up the tube leaked down from the VC gaskets. Took several photos and cleaned up the mess, off to talk to the dealer. I suspect they at most will replace the driver's side, the passenger side VC was bone dry w/o any sign of leakage on #1,3,5.

If you want to see yet more oily plugs and a dirty throttle body check here:
http://g35driver.com/forums/members/...-dirty-tb.html

that sludge will affect idle, there is supposed to be a gap and when it plugs up like that, you get stalling off throttle to idle, or rpms dip to 500 or less then stabilize.

Ironically my Haynes Consumer Manual tells you to "be sure to install new spark plug seals into the valve cover" (p. 2A-5). Either they just assumed this could be done or at some point possibly you could get them, IDK. Looks like they used a 2003 AT Sedan for their tear-down car in the manual.

So add one more to the list, mine leaks a lot in two of six plug seals, both on the driver's side. This is no tiny leak, they were both dripping oil and the oil ran up the socket a good inch.

[SteveZ]

Originally Posted by bocatrip

I only have 33,000 miles so the plugs I'm sure are good if they don't have any oil on them. What about the dealership doing one side only? Thanks all.

If the seals are good, they're good. My 1-3-5 side looks perfect, no issues at all. I personally couldn't justify doing both covers. Seems like a lot of the issues are on #'s 2-4-6 for some reason, too.

Doing all 6 plugs vs. 3, I would never mix sets of plugs used with plugs new, that's just a bad idea. You want the plugs to be of the same age and wear, pony up for 3 more if you have to, but don't walk out with 3 old/3new.

HTH

[Vinzo]

i just changed my spark plugs on my 04 coupe with 61 k miles, i saw a little pooling in cylinder 6th, was wondering if i just kept an eye on it would be fine? or should i call up infiniti and tell them i saw oil in cylinder 6? and that it is covered under power train warranty

[Yosef]

can this cause me to suddenly go from 17+mpg all the way down to 10-11mpg? I'm not driving differently

[SxyG35_408]

so i am JUST over 70k (2003 g) and out of warranty. i read through the post of people talking about the problem, and i see nobody mention price, so what i wanna know is...if i do have this problem when i replace my plugs, how much is the fix? what do i need to get and how much to fix?

[bocatrip]

Originally Posted by SteveZ

If the seals are good, they're good. My 1-3-5 side looks perfect, no issues at all. I personally couldn't justify doing both covers. Seems like a lot of the issues are on #'s 2-4-6 for some reason, too.

Doing all 6 plugs vs. 3, I would never mix sets of plugs used with plugs new, that's just a bad idea. You want the plugs to be of the same age and wear, pony up for 3 more if you have to, but don't walk out with 3 old/3new.

HTH

I too thought it would be #6. It turned out that #4 was leaking and the dealership changed just that side.

[netcbc]

What are the major symptoms of this going unchecked?

I saw some saying they heard engine sounds, oil burning smell,rough idle, misfiring, rough/weak/hesitant acceleration?

What about drivability, issues starting engines, etc?

I'm just curious if you do not fix this issue, will your engine go, etc..

I'm at about 66K miles with 03 coupe, I guess I can do spark plug change to iridium and see if I have any pooling.

[netcbc]

lol can't believe that plastic cover is worth $200+ arghhh

Originally Posted by Deezflip

I'm assuming that these areas circled in red is where the plastic melts or warps causing an oil leak into the plugs?



I wonder if we can simply reposition the seal or O-rings....maybe apply some gasket sealant in these areas?

IMO, buying a new one will eventually melt and leak after being exposed to the heat. It's about $200 a cover for each side. If your out of warranty, that's $400 if your unfortunate to have leaks on both sides. That doesn't even include the gaskets. Man!... what a stupid design by nissan

[G35fromTO]

I hope someone can help me answer this... if I just want to check the area where the spark plugs are without taking them out, do I still need to disconnect the battery?

Sorry for the noob question and thanks in advance!