Oil Leak in Spark Plug Compartment?

What do you know, same thing happened to my VK45DE. I changed my plugs at 100k miles, and no issues.

Now at 130k miles, I wanted to switch and try iridium vs platinum plugs -- and I found a big mess.
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The platinum plugs were also worn out after only 30k miles.

Infinitipartsusa.com:
Valve Cover Right for 4.5L FX45 = $197.58
Valve Cover Left for 4.5L FX45 = $160.23
Valve Cover Gasket Right for 4.5L FX45 = $19.65
Valve Cover Gasket Left for 4.5L FX45 = $19.65
Total = $397.11

Not really happy about this, but my car is old. Replacing just the gaskets and O-rings would be awesome, but not the case. I want this car to last so replacing all with OEM parts and gaskets as well. Lasted me 100k miles so hope that last that long again.

Maybe Handy_Andy can create a DIY on compatible O-rings=)
 
Chedman13 said:
Maybe Handy_Andy can create a DIY on compatible O-rings=)
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Hahaha... as matter of fact, there is a DIY on the G or Z forum that I have stumble across. Since we cannot buy just the o-rings/gasket for the spark plug well for the valve covers, the guy had a DIY on enlarge the inner layer so he can fit gasket for other car. Need to look that up again!

I run into the same problem with mine too when I change my spark plugs. I've been debating which way to go with, sigh.

I woder if this valve cover for the VQ engine. work for the FX35. Gotta looking into this more now.
 
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Ed, when I replaced my plugs last month I had some residual oil in 2 of mine as well. I guess I will wait and see and keep an eye on this as well. But the price seems reasonable but the labor cost will be double that most likely at the dealer.
 
Dr.2K said:
Ed, when I replaced my plugs last month I had some residual oil in 2 of mine as well. I guess I will wait and see and keep an eye on this as well. But the price seems reasonable but the labor cost will be double that most likely at the dealer.
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How many miles are you at? I'm guessing close to 100k or more. From this thread, looks like 6 years and 75k miles, you can get it covered under warranty if my memory serves me.

I would do it ASAP. Bite the bullet and order the valve covers and gaskets, then just go around to local shops to see how much it would cost to put new gaskets and valve covers on -- maybe someone will do it for $50 cash or something as you have parts in hand.

My water pump is still good, but doing the e-fan, might as well replace it and also the thermostat, gaskets, and hoses.

Lots of $$, but I'll save myself a headache down the road and should be good for another 100k miles.

Don't add the thermostat from the infinitipartsusa.com website, b/c both are for the FX35 -- for some reason. I had to call and they manually entered it in, which shows up as a Q45 thermostat, which apparently has no gasket to buy so hopefully it comes with one.

I was telling a co-worker what I was replacing and they said, "You might as well buy a new car." Ha, yeah, spend $10k-$50k on a new car or $600, I"ll take the $600.

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Thanks Ed for the info. I have 98k miles on odo and it will be 6 years next month.

---------- Post added at 09:42 PM ---------- Previous post was at 09:41 PM ----------
tchuck said:
Valve covers are diy worthy for sure. I'd do it for $50 cash AND buy the beer...

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tchuck come on down to socal and I ill provide the $50 and all you can drink beer!:wink (2)::tup:
 
Dr.2K said:
Thanks Ed for the info. I have 98k miles on odo and it will be 6 years next month.

---------- Post added at 09:42 PM ---------- Previous post was at 09:41 PM ----------


tchuck come on down to socal and I ill provide the $50 and all you can drink beer!:wink (2)::tup:
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This should help you out too (part numbers):

Part Number Part Description Quantity Price Total
13264AR000 Engine, Cylinder head and valves, Valve cover, Valve cover, fx, right - 4.5l - 4.5L 1 $197.58 $197.58
13264EH20A Engine, Cylinder head and valves, Valve cover, Valve cover, fx, left - 4.5l - 4.5L 1 $160.23 $160.23
13270AR000 Engine, Cylinder head and valves, Valve cover gasket, Valve cover gasket, fx, right - 4.5l - 4.5L 1 $19.65 $19.65
13270AR010 Engine, Cylinder head and valves, Valve cover gasket, Valve cover gasket, fx, left - 4.5l - 4.5L 1 $19.65 $19.65
21014AR001 Cooling system, Water pump, Seal ring, Seal ring, fx, 4.5l 1 $2.64 $2.64
21010AR725 Cooling system, Water pump, Water pump, fx, 4.5l 1 $100.10 $100.10
21503CG200 Cooling system, Radiator, Lower hose, Lower hose, fx, 4.5l 1 $13.40 $13.40
21501CG200 Cooling system, Radiator, Upper hose, Upper hose, fx, 4.5l 1 $12.79 $12.79
11062AR001 Cooling system, Gasket, Gasket, fx, 4.5l 1 $2.28 $2.28
21200AD201 Thermostat, q45 - q45 - m45 (2002-06) 2002 - 2006 1 $17.81 $17.81
Sub Total $546.13
Shipping $55.98
Handling Fee $2.95
Tax $0.00
Total $605.06
 
Dam Ed! ok thanks. But let me know how much this going to cost in labor when you get this done.
 
So I bought the 2003-2005 Maxima valve cover and it arrived today. I don't see how I can take apart the valve cover to take the spark plug gourmet out of it to replace the worn out one in our FX. Sigh, there goes my idea of saving some $$ to be use on other mods :smile:
 
Is the gasket sandwiched between the two halves of the welded cover? How does it look like it was put there initially?

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Yeah, it is a gasket that is sandwiched between tow halves and welded together. I try to pry at the grommet with no luck. It does look like the grommet was put in place and then the other half welded over it.
 
That is super dumb. What a wasteful design... :tdown:

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---------- Post added at 09:13 PM ---------- Previous post was at 09:11 PM ----------

What do you think about drilling it out and using a more conventional gasket? (That may be a dumb question, I haven't looked at it up close.)

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I have seen a post on the G35 forum did that, drill out and use some other gasket there. I don't feel warm and fuzzy doing that hack job in there. Too much risk there! So I'll bit the bullet and just place an order for the left & right valve covers and gaskets. Order total to $397.79 free shipping.

I was wondering if there anything I should change out wild I'm in there. Perhaps a thermal gasket intake gasket?
 
kinda hard to tell with out having the FX to compare with. I guess I will know for sure when the FX covers arrive.
 
LEXFX said:
so if theres oil in the spark plug area, just replace the valve cover and valve cover gaskets?
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If oil is found in the spark plug well/hole then yeah, you need to replace the valve cover and gasket. I did both sides of mine three weeks ago. Easy job, just take times.
 
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la_fx35 said:
If oil is found in the spark plug well/hole then yeah, you need to replace the valve cover and gasket. I did both sides of mine three weeks ago. Easy job, just take times.
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would it create steam of smoke when revving the car only? and while idling no smoke though. but if the car was in incline, nose down. would it give steam of smoke(coming out of out exhaust)? or this could be just carbon build up in exhaust or throttle body needs cleaning? thanks
 
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