G35Driver - Infiniti G35 & G37 Forum Discussion - UPDATED VALVE COVER SWAP - NO MORE LEAKING Spark plug tubes!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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- - UPDATED VALVE COVER SWAP - NO MORE LEAKING Spark plug tubes!!!!!!!!!!!!! (https://g35driver.com/forums/faq-diy/434721-updated-valve-cover-swap-no-more-leaking-spark-plug-tubes.html)

Quote:

Originally Posted by TunerMax (Post 6842382)

2002/2003 maxima's suffered the same issue the g35 has. Seals harden and leak.
2004/2005 Maxima's do not suffer this problem.

The 2004/2005 valve cover has been the 'fix' for the 2002/2003 Maximas for many years now, it's not a new development, it's been shown over time that the 2005/2006 maxima version simply doesn't leak.
We can all thank the Maxima.Org guys for taking care of this for us. I'm just applying what they found out to this engine with a modification.

Obviously, the RWD VQ35DE one DOES leak.

That's about all the "proof" I can offer as to them being better. Also, There is absolutely no reason why a VC spark plug tube seal should be classed as "WEAR AND TEAR" unless you take off your valve covers on a regular basis, which is not normal.

As for the Price for a US valve cover, I'm not sure, you're probably right, I didn't check. I know that they cost $340+ EACH here in Canada. And that is with my discount applied. I'm sure they are about half that price for you guys in the states, but even at $150, that's over 4x as expensive as the Maxima covers that are proven to be a better design.

I disagree. spark plug seals going bad over a period of time and needing replacement is very common in cars. maybe not at an accelerated rate like the recent vq nissans. so I would consider them wear and tear

Wear and tear implies some type of kinetic force or motion to most. Plug seals are obviously static. Perhaps old and dried up, (I'll borrow that from Chevy Chase), is a better adjective.

my point is its not supposed to be life time part, like how tunermax made it sound like, and will need replacing eventually. my definition is any part that gets worn out and will need to be replaced I jus call it wear and tear

Gotcha man, I consider brakes, rotors, tires, etc wear & tear components in the context I originally took your posting.
Sorry for the confusion. You are correct, in that all seals have a 'service life'. Agree 100%
It appears that the 2004/2005 Maxima seals have a longer service life.

too bad theres no way to bake the spark plug seal cover off of the valve cover and just swap the seals. that woulda been awesome

Agreed. Most every other seal is replaceable, (although maybe labour intense). Why not these, especially considering the cost of new covers vs. new seals.

Quote:

Originally Posted by markc (Post 6842865)

Agreed. Most every other seal is replaceable, (although maybe labour intense). Why not these, especially considering the cost of new covers vs. new seals.

They probably assumed, that like the 250,000 mile timing chain, this method would lead to a "lifetime" part instead of something that would need to be replaced during the life of the vehicle. It seems it's worked for quite a few, but it does make it worse for those who do need to replace them.

From SurraTT of the Maxima.org thread, the parts you need for the swap are:

04 Maxima Valve Covers:
13264-7Y000
13264-7Y010

04 Maxima Valve Cover Gaskets:
13270-EA20A
13270-EA21A

UPDATE: It's been over two years now, and this swap is still going great. Definitely the way to go.

im jus glad their timing chains are still reliable and pretty much lifetime.