Oil Leak in Spark Plug Compartment?

Sorry if I am not reading this correctly, the fix is to replace the valve cover gaskets?
 
No, spark plug tube is separate from the valve cover gasket. Tube leaks, and requires a whole new valve cover. This is for oil on the plug not the tip, that's a whole other issue.
 
How common is this problem? Should I be worried at 40k? I too experienced lower MPG lately...

I guess I can take the plugs out, but according to Dee, it would take about 40 mins!?
 
Hmm.. this concerns me a bit as well.

My FX is taking a vacation until July and I only drive it good 10-20 miles a week right now, but I would still like to get this fixed.
 
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I'm at 67,000 guess I'll be doing an inspection myself. How diffecult is it to get down to the plugs?
 
I'm not an expert on this issue but I'm learning like everyone else as I go. an example Jeff says he changes his plugs every 10K don't quote me on that but in his case he'd probably catch any internal oil leak that some of us are experiencing. we take our vehicles in for 15K, 30K, 45K, 60K etc but none of those services are for spark plugs so you'd probably never find out until it become a problem.

Checking the plugs is not hard, but the task of clearing the harness is a job in itself. It took me some time just to move and losen the harness to get at the coil packs, I then pulled them out and remove the plugs. over all the job took me 2 and 1/2 hours, give a or take a few extra mins. once you have clearance to get to the coil packs, getting the plugs out is a snap. You could just remove the plenum and harness to make your job much easier, and your knuckle, scratch and pain free. but it would take a lil longer IMO. but like I said I'm no expert. but I will be from now on, when it comes to getting to the plugs.

I would suggest that if your FX is a few years old and you have more than 40K it's no harm in checking your plugs. hell Isay if you are doing that just change them it would hurt and you not have plugs half way done of there life span. a good plug should last to 100K easy. I' sure the guys that are FI probably check often any way just to ensure they are getting good sparks to run properly. any and everything we do to check our FX's won't hurt. it situations like these, that we all benefit from.unfortunate but it keeps others from going down the same path. that why the forum is here. to fix, or prevent problems that may be forth coming. I'm glad white Hair found his issue, I'm also glad I know what my vehicles does because other wise I would have not check, and let the noise cotinue and that would be that disaster some where down the line (meaning major repair). it may not be nessecary to check with low milage unless there is an unusal indicator to warrant a concern. definetly inspect your vehicle before the 5yr - 70K mark specifically before your waranty is up!!!!!
 
It doesn't look like we have DIY for spark plug replacement. Volunteer to provide a DIY would be greatly appreciated! :tup:
 
I asked about this a while ago...guess no one listens..I'm beginning to feel like Psiclne:wink:

Also in this thread: oil leak on the spark plug? - InfinitiScene.com

From G35driver 9 pages and going: http://g35driver.com/forums/g35-coupe/232036-check-before-your-powertrain-warranty-up.html

EDIT: not 60k, but before powertrain warranty is up. This is covered under the powertrain warranty (70k on first gen Gs). Issue applies to both coupes & sedans.

I've ran into a few VQ35DE motors so far that have had oil pooling between the spark plug tube seal and valve cover when removing coil pack over cylinder #6.

YouTube- Spark plug tube valve cover leak 03 G35 Coupe

In the video it is an extreme example of what will eventually happen if there is a leak that goes unchecked. I was just about to swap my plugs out at 60k and also spotted oil pooling at cylinder #6. It's at the dealer right now and they already replaced both valve covers under warranty. I highly recommend pulling out coil pack #6 and confirming you don't have a leak there while you're still under warranty. The spark plug tube seals aren't sold separately, they only come with new valve covers. See the invoice attached:

92682d1215654768-check-before-your-powertrain-warranty-up-resizedinoivce.jpg


99301d1229404209-check-before-your-powertrain-warranty-up-img_6286x.jpg
 
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Nice write up, I didn't see this at all. okI just got a call from the dealer and they were talking about the spark plugs having oil on them can be normal in some cases. I was also told that there was somethng unpluged on the intake but I'll get some clarity on that. They also told me that they found no oil on the plugs and that if I cleaned it that it's possible that I may not see anything for some time. none of it make since but I know this if there is something wrong and I find out later I will not go back there.... I just can't see how you can have oil on a plug I did clean it off and now nothing. I'll be changing my plugs to see for myself. but I'll feel you all in on what I find.
 
I got the ride back and according to the mechanic it nothing to really worry about but I still have MO on that. he check the plugs and found no oil on them I guess because I clean the plugs prior to reinstalling them thinking they'd see the oil deposit. no luck. they said they had to relearn my idle but couldn't find anything. all that mean is I will watch it closer and probably not take it back there if I see something on my plugs, I'll leave what ever I find on the plugs and head to another dealer...

so for you all that that have concerns just inspect your FX a lil more from time to time and you should be ok. if your oil in more than acouple of plugs take it in but it is not a major concern says infiniti of fairfield. that remains to be scene. to be continued.......
 
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toy4x said:
Man your Ground Wire kit really messed up your ride!

sorry to hear about the trouble.....the G35 Forum's already found this problem a while ago. Everyone should check this out before your 5/ 70k warranty is over.
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I don't think the grounding wire kit has something to do with the internal leak. But I must admit that Infiniti's build quality isn't that great. Probably because my car is the first batch of the FX series.

I love this car but sometimes I really felt frustrated with all the problems from the beginning. (Radiator failed, oil compartment leak, seat cracking, steering knocking, fender knocking, etc) :k:

I really hope the dealership will fix this problem. As long as they have record of finding this problem. Then I can inform Infiniti Canada headquarter and question them why an engine problem will not be fixed within the warranty when it is found. Or ask my lawyer to write them a letter or something.
 
Deecarp said:
I got the ride back and according to the mechanic it nothing to really worry about but I still have MO on that. he check the plugs and found no oil on them I guess because I clean the plugs prior to reinstalling them thinking they'd see the oil deposit. no luck. they said they had to relearn my idle but couldn't find anything. all that mean is I will watch it closer and probably not take it back there if I see something on my plugs, I'll leave what ever I find on the plugs and head to another dealer...

so for you all that that have concerns just inspect your FX a lil more from time to time and you should be ok. if your oil in more than acouple of plugs take it in but it is not a major concern says infiniti of fairfield. that remains to be scene. to be continued.......
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That is the part that I hated about the dealership. They still make money on fixing the problem even an engine swap. But they just don't want to do it because they only get 75% of the labor from Infiniti Headquarter for warranty services. They rather charge other people the full rate unless they are too free.

And the most common excuse they will said is "why did you temper with your plugs? The leak is caused by improper service... etc". I am like WTF, if I don't ever change the plugs, then I will never find this problem until my engine is dead without warranty. And the dealerships (I meant 95% not all of them) want you blow your engine without warranty so you will either buy a new car or get a new engine from them..etc.

The economy is bad now. Maintain good services and quality is the only way to keep the people stay with your products. I don't really know their philosophy is on business reputation and customer satisfaction.

The above words are just my opinions. No offense. Peace.
 
Deecarp said:
hopfully it won't be anything but if it is let us know. did you clean your plugs after finding the oil on them?
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For sure.

I put in new plugs. I will try to grab the old plugs from my friend's garage to show them to the dealership but I am pretty sure they will blame it on me or say I am faking it.

At cylinder 6, that will be easy to spot with either new or old plugs. The oil are everywhere in the tube. It can be easily spotted.

But for the one at very front, I don't know if they are going to do something about that or not. Since it will not be that obvious with new plugs. Unless I have the CEL up and spitting out "Mis-Firing" error code for the front cylinder; otherwise, I highly doubt that they will replace the engine for me.
 
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I clean the plug and tube, my mistake thinking it would still be there. they couldn't see anything at allas if nothing happened.
 
toy4x said:
I asked about this a while ago...guess no one listens..I'm beginning to feel like Psiclne:wink:
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Thx for the info Toy4x. Sorry I replied to this post late. I guess I didn't see that post when it was brought up. This post just builds up too fast.
 
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