Just wondering if there are any valve covers available with replaceable well tube gaskets? Don't really feel like modding my existing or new oem ones.

 

Not that I've heard of.

 

Daaamn it man.

 

I just did the OEM maxima covers. For the headache of a relocated oil filler cap and extending the #6 coil wires, it is maybe not worth the $130 saved over the OEM 350z/G covers. It will only be worth it if my spark plug wells never leak again.

There is a DIY on drilling out and resealing the plug well gaskets, but that's up to you if you want to attempt.

 

Ok so wait..the Maxima covers aren't worth it? Did it fix the leak, or did you like JUST just do it?

 

In my case, my original 72,000 mile valve cover outer gaskets were leaking. The spark plug well gaskets were not leaking. When I went to replace due to the outer gasket leak, I figured I would save $100 and buy the OEM Maxima covers with gaskets and perform the modifications.

For the extra time involved with modifying, I should have bought the RWD covers as I will likely not keep this car another 60k miles.

 

I wrote up a quick way to reuse the old valve covers by using a new set of lower felpro gaskets and grey RTV for the plug tubes. I've done it on DE and HR cars.You really can't beat a $30 permanent fix and even if you put boost on it they won't leak. If that isn't a option I would hole saw from the inside and remove the old plug tube seals and silicone new ones in. I have the fel pro numbers for the tube gaskets somewhere in the garage if you need them. I wouldn't buy new covers unless you plan on keeping the car and driving it another 80-120k miles. I just don't see spending that much money on a set of valve covers when you can get one more use out of the old ones.

 

Scumbag, there is a small gap between the spark plug tubes and the head on which the valve cover sits. Essentially, you covered this gap with grey RTV to prevent oil from seeping down and fouling the plugs?

 

That's exactly what I did and it's worked fine so far. I finally got my buddy to figure out what part number he ordered and it was those fel-pro seals that "don't fit" the G35 covers. I just filled the gap with permatex ultra grey and let it fully cure before installing.

 

Why would you let it cure before installing the covers? Wouldn't you want to put some on the gaps around the tubes, then put the covers on ASAP to squish the seals against the Permatex? Rather than shoving them up against hard RTV.

 

It's the gap around the well tube seals I'm talking about.I put a bunch down in the VC then squished the seals into place, filled the gap because the new seals are a smaller outer diameter, wiped up the excess from both sides. Let them cure, then installed. The seal mating surface never got more RTV.

EDIT: The next time I do one I'm going to try double stacking the 2010 Honda Civic well seals, apparently they're the correct diameters but they're too short so you stack two of them them up with some RTV between them and it gives you the exact height you need. I haven't tried it but someone PM'd me about a while back.

 

Yes, I used grey RTV around the spark plug tube and a thin layer around the seal and installed. It must be clean clean clean to work. If any oil gets into the RTV it will not dry properly and leak.

Here is what I wrote up awhile back when I sealed my V35 and V36 valve covers:

Pull upper intake, pull valve covers, put paper towels in all 6 intake holes so you don't drop anything down there, wash the valve covers and then carb clean them really really good, use a scotch brite green pad and clean the spark plug tube gaskets then cab clean again, use the scotch brite pad on the head surface until completely clean and carb clean off, Use scotch brite pad on top of the spark plug tubes and then carb clean. Make sure all gasket surfaces are completely clean with out any oil or RTV will not stick. But Permatex Ultra Grey RTV silicone. Buy Fel Pro valve cover gaskets. Clean gaskets with carb cleaner to remove and mold release on them. Use the ultra grey silicone in about 8 spots so the gaskets will stick to the valve covers, let it tack up and partially dry for 1-2 hours. This will make your life much easier because they can fall out while trying to install and then it will leak everywhere and you will have to do it again. Silicone the head surface where the gasket mates and make sure you use a bunch on the front corners buy the VTC area. Silicone the spark plug tube gaskets and wipe a thin layer on the spark plug tubes. Reassemble.