I just changed my spark plugs on my 2003 g35 (85000 miles) and found oil in two of the spark plug chambers. I see that this common and caused by poor design or whatever. Both valve cover gaskets need to be replaced and the dealer gave me a quote of $1500 and whats worse said it would probably need to be done again in another 50,000 miles or so. Has anyone out there replaced these gaskets themselves and if so how difficult. Also has anyone had good luck getting them changed by a mechanic other than dealer for a better price?

 

You have to replace the whole valve covers. The valve cover gaskets should be replaced at the same time. Parts new will run you about $350 from Riverside Infiniti.

It took me about 4 hours to do both...The passenger side was more difficult than the drivers side due to the gas lines slightly being in the way. You can just carefully hold them to the side as you place the new valve cover in place.

It cost me about $30 for both gaskets...FYI.

If you don't have access to a FSM, i can redirect you to an online version. PM me if you need it.

 

+1, you can do it yourself. it can be a pain to do but worth the money you save

 

I just did one for my buddy, we were done in less than an hour. He bought a vavle cover on here and new gasket from the dealer, a cheaper alternative. I think he paid less than 100$ for the gasket and valve cover he needed.

 

^^^ "on here" as in used in the market place?... if used, how do you know if it doesnt leak? I've seen used that have oil residue (which tells me it was leaking) - but if the original owner cleans 'em up how would you know?

*I'm asking about before installation of course.

 

You wouldn't. You would have to take the sellers word for it. I bought some used...from Tony at Riverside Infiniti. I trust that he wouldn't sell anything leaking. I haven't noticed any oil on my plugs yet either.

 

of course Tony wouldnt do that - he has helped a lot of us out with good deals... but I'm thinking a non-vendor that is selling used valve covers may be selling because they leak... normally there isnt another reason to sell them (unless you have a new pair painted) - its not like they have upgraded to some after market covers and selling OEM...

Anyway - hopefully he doesnt have problems...

 

Hey, i have the same problem. my car burns way too much oil and my mechanic said to just have the valve cover gaskets replaced. do you think that will solve the problem or is it necessary to replace the valve covers? thanks in advance

 

valve covers are not the reason that you are burning oil...if you have oil in the spark plug cylinders then you need to replace them.

If you are burning oil in the engine and under warranty go to a dealer for a test.

 

RapidRob,I just had the valve covers done 9-15-09.I paid $434.90 for the VC'S/Gaskets{@ Infinitipartsusa.com},and paid approximately $84.00 for add'l needed gaskets{dealership}.The trick for me was finding a pro who would use my parts/his labor..At a cost of $498.00 the mechanic installed the VC covers,needed gaskets,new Denso Iridium plugs,and new Denso coil-to-plug boots.I suppose I could have tried the install but reasoned that discretion was the better part of valor.If you need a Chilton or Haynes,The Motor Book Store in Florida had both in stock a couple weeks ago,$30.00 for the Chilton.Figure $520ish for just the VC's/needed gaskets,plus labor.Might as well do the wires/plugs which can be hunted down @ $98 and $50,respectively.Good luck and a p.s.-my mechanic found not one misplaced drop of oil @ 90,400 miles so I guess I was lucky but still very glad I had this preventative maintenance done for the peace of mind!Another p.s.... I will be making up about $200 of that labor cost this weekend when I do three drain and fills on my A/T fluid{$96 for 12 qts S-Matic} vs. a dealerships' $300 required for them to use a T-Tech machine on it-the machine achieves 98% eradication of old fluid and I will settle for 75% done the Lo-Tech way.

 

RapidRob-wanted to follow up w/more precise info..the d-ship wanted $650 for the VC'S and VC gaskets,5 hrs labor @ $129 per,forgot to mention the add'l gaskets I'd also need @ about $84-I also assumed-wrongly-that there would be some degradation of the coil-to-plug boots[I estimate they would have charged me $180 for those] and wanted new plugs[I estimate they would have charged $120 for those]-assuming no labor charge on the C2P boots/plugs,and w/9.8% tax,this bill should have been approximately $1,810...What I did was buy all parts 'cept the dealer-purchased plenum-related/lower collector gaskets[as my mechanic referred to them as] from online,found a great shop that agreed one-time only to use my parts/his labor,and spent $1,165...With the$645 I saved,I then had KYB struts and shocks/4-whl alignment done @ a popular NW chain for an add'l $14 on top of the $645 saved,or $659.58 out-the-door.My suggestion would be to put together a parts list at the cheapest price-point you can,find a good independent shop that charges $90hr/labor,and hope the shop works fairly w/you re: aquisition of the parts at a reasonable mark-up...asking $713.70,9.8% tax inc. for the VC/VC gaskets vs. the $434.90 I paid is just asinine,and ASE Techs @ $39/hr less made sense to me,also.Good luck to all who cannot take on this job and want to pay a reasonable price to have it done by pro's...

 

check out www.infinitipartsonline.com

or Riverside Infiniti

You can buy new valve covers new for $350-360 + gaskets are like $30

Or, talk to Tony @ Riverside Infiniti and see if he has any that he can sell you...he got me VCs and the gaskets for $120 shipped or something around then.