Dear G35 gurus!

I am pretty sure someone has already complained about it, so I apologize for a duplicate post. I was doing spark plugs replacement today and found out that 3 out of 6 spark plug wells have oil in them. One of them (driver's side) was almost full of oil, other two (passenger side) had just few drops.

As I understand it must be a valve cover gasket problem. I have never done such a task myself, so I called my local dealership. They want $1300 for both sides and it sounds pretty expensive to me.

Would you please tell me if it is something I can do myself? Are there any other explanations why I have oil in spark plug wells?

Thank you very much!

P.S. It is G35 2003 sedan, 105K miles. Never had any major problems.

Alex

 

common problem unfortunately, you have two options...replace them with oem with new gaskets that will fail eventually or purchased the modified ones with enhanced gaskets that will not fail (run about 300)


https://g35driver.com/forums/engine-...w-gaskets.html

^probably best option

 

The valve cover gasket has nothing to do with the spark plug well. The valve cover gasket goes around the perimeter of the valve cover

Your problem is that the spark plug tub seals are shot. Unfortunately, these are built into the valve covers can you cannot get replacements (a company use to sell replacement spark plug tube seals but I dont think they exist any more).

So your only solution is to purchase new valve covers that still have functioning tube seals

check the classifieds, both of these links are for valve covers with functioning tube seals

https://g35driver.com/forums/engine-...w-gaskets.html

https://g35driver.com/forums/engine-...-covers-2.html

But what ever you do, make sure you go back to your dealership and give them a nice slap for even suggesting $1300

 

Does that company still just sell the spark plug seals??

 

yea that's what i meant

 

R&d still does i'm sure..there's an l-fab company on my350z that does it now as well 170 i believe with an additional 100 core charge that's refunded

 

170 for just the seals!?!?!?!?!? that's insane, I'd rather just get 2 used covers off the marketplace for $100

 

Yeah but it will prolly happen again.. Lol If u get new seals your not gonna have the problem again..

 

well that's the price for the modified covers, you end up paying 270 send them your old ones and they refund you a 100. got a quote from them then was like hell no. I liked the way r&d did it, you could just buy the pieces and instructions on modifying your own.

 

OP, here contact R&D and order a new set of seals (They sell the set for $80)

https://g35driver.com/forums/members...d-factory.html

here is they DIY step by step instructions

http://yhst-13387653796039.stores.ya...nivqvacor.html

If you do order the set of new seals then send me a PM, I'll be happy to buy one from you

 

awesome

 

Thank you very much, guys!

So now I have to choose between modified valve covers
https://g35driver.com/forums/engine-...w-gaskets.html

and OEM ones

Do you think it is worth going with modified ones? How is their quality? Anyone installed them on their G35s?

Thank you!

Alex

 

FYI, that link you just posted is not for modified valve covers, those are OEM valve covers

 

Had a similar problem so I bought brand new covers + gaskets and took them to my local mechanic. He said, you should just soak up that oil using a paper towel and then drive for a bit. If the tubes are still dry then you don't really need to replace them. They are leaking for sure if there was oil in them, but if it isn't getting refilled with oil then replacing them isn't really worth it.

As long as it isn't impacting the performance of your car, I doubt you need to do anything besides soaking up the oil and check it periodically (every oil change or something). It isn't hard to check and sure as hell is worth less than a few hundred dollar expense

 

Hmm interesting!!