Oil Leaks - Somebody please help me

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edking310

Member
Location
los angeles
Car
2004 Infiniti Fx35 Awd
So i got a fx 35 awd 2004 no tech package
heres my problem and again sorry if im posting it on wrong section. i changed the oil and took it to a mechanic prior to this he told me i may have a leak in my valve cover and most likely was small and that one of my ball bearing was bad. 2 weeks later do my tune up just for kicks and see the oil is black as shit and has no engine oil-__- so immediately added synthetic 5-30. As i looked my spark plugs i noticed some were covered in oil. i took it to get a second opinion and this mechanic said it doesn't seem to be from the valve cover and the leak is coming from inside right above the oil pan is a square looking things not sure if what is is but i will look for a pic to show .please ive already taken to 2 people and they wouldn't know until they open it up i keep spending money and don't know what to do am stressing my self out and my wallets feeling light if anyone can direct me to a dyi or knows someone thats in los angeles and wouldn't mind helping me out id GREATLY appreciate all info and comments as i love this truck and don't wanna drive it until i have that fixed.
 
can i do this myself?

---------- Post added at 12:39 PM ---------- Previous post was at 12:38 PM ----------

and only one small external leak from under neath the car by the oil pan
 
Not so easy for some, im not sure.. If you have dealt with engine modifications before it wont be hard but if u only know how to change brakes or oil, might be hard for you. Its not a complicated job.
 
im stressing myself out here im going out of town next week and this couldnt happen at a worst time

---------- Post added at 12:42 PM ---------- Previous post was at 12:40 PM ----------

it might be hard for me whats the usual charge for this? parts and labor
 
im guessing 500-600.. Maybe search on craigslist for a mobil mechanic.. But why are you in a rush to change it? just drain the oil out for now?? is there any external oil leaks somewhere?
 
im in a rush because im suppose to leave to vegas next week for 4 days (my only vacation in 3 years) and i need it done . as far as a leak i did detect what seemed to be a leak where the oil pan is around that area there is a small amount of engine oil

---------- Post added at 01:25 PM ---------- Previous post was at 01:22 PM ----------

ive used a mobile mechanic and noooo god
 
Oil color doesn't give a good indication of oil life/health. Even driving a couple of days can turn the oil black, doesn't mean it won't last for a long time. Sounds like you have a valve cover leak which isn't uncommon. The oil covered plugs is pretty much the indicator. It's not going to kill your car to drive with a leaking valve cover. Lots of people don't even know theirs is leaking. I would however also check the oil pan if a mechanic thinks it's leaking from there. Losing a ton of oil in 2 weeks is the main concern.
 
Renamed the thread.

---------- Post added at 05:10 PM ---------- Previous post was at 05:02 PM ----------

Since your spark plug is soaked with oil, that the sign to a valve cover leak. Here are the parts you need. You only need to replace the one that is leaky.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-OEM-200...Parts_Accessories&hash=item27e5420f53&vxp=mtr


Labor for both side can be around $500 - $600 for both side.

---------- Post added at 05:57 PM ---------- Previous post was at 05:12 PM ----------

Check this post for pictures of a leaky valve cover.
https://www.infinitiscene.com/search/1/?q=22648-FX35-Leaky-Valve-Cover?p=465894#post465894
 
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man i appreciate it guys! ima check it out and get some quotes on this job as i dont want to even mess with anything on here im taking to mechanic first thing tomorrow hopefully he doesnt try to rip me off and yes it seems both sides have oil tho but i wil double check

---------- Post added at 04:06 PM ---------- Previous post was at 04:05 PM ----------

if anyone here is in LA and knows a guy please let me know i would greatly appreciate it and so would my fx

---------- Post added at 06:06 PM ---------- Previous post was at 04:06 PM ----------

do i have to puchase the coverf and gaskets as well ?
 
You have to buy new cover and gasket if you have engine oil in the sprak plug well like those pictures. You have remove the coil pack to examine. Make no sense to skim on the $20 gasket for such job. If leaks develop around the valve cover and engine block it will cost you way more than $20 to replace the gasket.

Like others are saying, leaky valve cover won't harm your car if you keep an eye on the oil level. It will need to replaced that for sure!
 
Since it seems like you're on a budget, I remember reading of some place local that sold refurbished covers. They found a way to reproduce and replace the seals. Anybody recall this?
I think they were located either south side of LA County, or north side of Orange County.

---------- Post added at 10:59 PM ---------- Previous post was at 10:56 PM ----------

Here it is. I did not re-read it so best to freshen up on the info, verify, and call ahead. (they're apparently in Montebello)
https://www.infinitiscene.com/search/1/?q=9984-Fx35-Valve-Cover-Replacement-Alternative
 
Another budget method is to use 2004 maxima valve covers. They run about $50-75 each but it requires a little custom work, grinding the plastic tabs off.
 
I just did my passenger side about 3 months ago. It took a good 4 hours to exchange the passenger side, and I should have just changed out the drivers side while I was there. The wire harness gets in the way on the passenger side and is a big PITA. As long as the car is running smoothly with no misfires, I wouldn't worry about a trip at all. Just make sure of the oil levels.

As for the alternative methods, they cutout the old seals and install new ones. The company doing this was R&DFactory in Montebello. They are hard to get a hold of, and sometimes don't return calls. Their kit is $120 for a DIY. They haven't had any ready to install kits available for a long time. As this was a good idea, But customers stopped sending in their cores and they ran out of stock. They don't have any left for you to come in and do a swap either. It was a great deal at $400 for both sides including labor.

R&DFactory:
http://yhst-13387653796039.stores.yahoo.net/35g35vacore.html


Since you're in So Cal, West Covina Nissan has these in stock:

Left Cover w/gasket: $188.80
http://www.ebay.com/itm/NISSAN-350Z...r_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item25865f732e

Right Cover w/gasket $213.50
http://www.ebay.com/itm/NISSAN-350Z...r_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item2334541390

Right Cover w/o gasket: $197.50
http://www.thenismoshop.com/Nissan-Factory-OEM-Valve-Cover--Nissan-350z-Infiniti-G35_p_1130.html

Out of state - Right Cover w/gasket: $199.68
http://www.ebay.com/itm/OEM-passeng...nfiniti|Model:G35&hash=item417c58beb9&vxp=mtr
 
400 was an awesome deal, if i recall it included spark plugs as well including labor and parts. Only downside was they had to drill a bigger hole for the new seals
 
i tried calling rnd and nothing? any ideas?

---------- Post added 06-25-2014 at 08:17 AM ---------- Previous post was 06-24-2014 at 10:34 PM ----------

does the nissan maxima 04-8 use the same parts? if so i may have found it way cheaper
 
G35 guys use the Maxima VC's w/ a minor modification. But I thought Andy tried on his FX35 and it wouldn't work. I'm not sure the details, but he was sure it would not work.
 
Man, there is comparison of the two valve cover that I have posted on here. Need to find that. Anyhow, I know the Max valve cover does not work on the FX.
I bought a Maxima cover to try out and know for sure it does not work for the FX. It is still in my basement if anyone want to try it. :smile (2):
 
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