I like that route, do you know exactly how your mechanic applied it? Covers on?

 

No, he removed them, cleaned them of all oil and dirt, then applied the RTV and reassembled.

 

Ehh, I'm starting to rethink using the Maxima covers isn't a ton easier than just using regular G VCs or even doing the R&D method. I was hoping the Maxima VCs allowed the tube seals to be changed out, but they're the same design only "better".

Z1 sells the VCs and gaskets for about $370 or so, which isn't horrible. I might just end up doing the R&D method. Maybe I'll see if I can source some cheap, used G VCs as a backup.

I'm still surprised that I couldn't find ANY aftermarket company that makes upgraded aluminum VCs with replaceable tube seals. It blows my mind!

 

Agreed. As of 11/15 $378 is the best price out there (Z1 Motorsports' price for new valve covers + OEM Nissan valve cover gaskets). But still ... if a $9 bottle of Ultra Black RTV applied to my tube seals can address this issue, I'd obviously prefer to go that route.

I am in on this conversation as I was changing my plugs on my '03 G35 & on my very first pull (No. 2 cylinder) I uncovered an oil soaked coil & plug. My car has 114,000 on it, so new valve cover gaskets at this stage is a very reasonable outlay.

But having to either: (a) shell out nearly $400 in parts alone for new valve covers as the tube seals are integral to them; or (b) take a hole saw to my existing valve covers to use a $65 set of grommets seems outrageous (NOTE: rndfactory.com's price for just the grommets & alignment tool = $115 -- they refund you $45 + a $5 credit for sending the tool back to them -- $65 net cost).

VENDOR ALERT: There is a yawning gap in the market for a reasonably priced (I'd gladly pay $200) OE spec set of valve covers for the G35/350Z VQ35DE. Give me aluminum covers with removable/replaceable tube seals (that feature an existing Nissan part No.) & I'd unquestionably pay $300. But paying $400 to buy the same problem all over again = absurd. It's absolutely bonkers.

$160 valve cover sets (yes, $160 for both sides) for the VQ35DE in the I35, Altima, Maxima, & Murano are widely available.

... but for our VQ (with nothing more than varying bolt & valve locations), we're paying more than twice that.

 

Pls report back on how the RTV holds up and how you do it. As I'll be due for a spark plug change soon.

 

I called R & D (909-287-3511) and the person answering the phone said they were out of business. Is this true?


Also I have a 2005 G35. Isn't the seals for the valve cover the same as the Maxima and 350z? If so then doesn't this work?


http://www.partsgeek.com/qc37y5n-nis...+Tube+Seal+Set

 

My mechanic just removed them, cleaned them and used RTV on them. So far (5 years) no problems

 

Same here ... nearly a year later ... all is well (RE: my valve covers anyway)

 

Yeah I saw that in a post earlier in the thread. I like the idea but just can't wrap my head around where the mechanic put the RTV. My #3 spark plug tube is getting oil in it.I haven't taken off the cv cover yet so I don't understand how the cylinder tube fits into the cover, where it's leaking or where to put the RTV. Anyone have info?

BTW,I'm also trying to figure out the studder or the misfire I'm having while sitting at a street light. A month and half ago my mechanic said there was a misfire code for the #3 cylinder so I replaced the coil. That didn't help so I cleaned the mass flow sensor and the throttle body. Also when the gas was low I put in 2 bottles of Sea foam to clean the injectors. About 2 weeks ago the #3 cylinder threw off a P3303 code when the check engine light flashed. Last week I moved the #3 coil to the #2 spot to see if the problem follows the coil. Nothing resolved yet and the darnn thing won't throw off a code. Thought when I cleaned the oil out of the #3 tube that that might fix the problem but it didn't. My 2005 G35 has 223500 miles on it.

 

So I took off the coil on the number 3 cylinder where the oil was leaking into the tube. Used some RTV around where the tube meets the valve cover. Let it sit for about 24 hours and buttoned it back up. Its been about 1000 miles without a leak. We shall see how long it last. Cost to repair was a tube of RTV. I guess I'm lucky because I have 230,000 miles and the other tubes are dry.

 

Did you remove the valve cover and do it from the bottom end of the valve cover or with the cover still on the car.

 

I did it with the cover on the car

 

These work if you have the valve covers with removable baffles/backplate whatever you call it. Ours unless replaced have to be drilled out with a 2 inch hole saw because they are built in. I don't know which models have which though.

 

Was it clean? I don't suppose you have pics. My valve cover gaskets need replaced so I need to inspect and get parts when I decide to tackle the job.

 

After I took off the coil I removed the oil that was in the tube down by the spark plug with papet towels. I then cleaned the area where the cam cover meets the tube with some cleaning alcohol then applied the RTV.