Valve Cover Gaskets...

"Andy Sheehan, StreetsideStig" (AndySheehan-StreetsideStig) 01/21/2014 at 14:11 • Filed to: None

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how do they work?

No, actually I know how they work. But I'm looking to replace my friend's in her '98 Maxima. I've done this job several times, but never in a v6. Aside from removing the intake manifold, are there any other glaring differences? I've done this on Honda and Ford I4s.

CalzoneGolem > Andy Sheehan, StreetsideStig 01/21/2014 at 14:12

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You're going to basically have to do it twice and one of them will probably be a shit load harder to reach.

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > CalzoneGolem 01/21/2014 at 14:14

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Nailed it.

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > Andy Sheehan, StreetsideStig 01/21/2014 at 14:15

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You have to pull the manifold? That blows.

I've only done it on the '68 Mercury. Manifold stayed in place on the old Ford 5.0 V8's, thankfully because I had just installed it.

Quattro-luvr, Powered by Datsun & Stinger > Andy Sheehan, StreetsideStig 01/21/2014 at 14:15

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Is that a V6 Audi block? Looks similar to my old 2.7T.

505Turbeaux > CalzoneGolem 01/21/2014 at 14:16

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what Calzone said. The one you pictured is an easy one!

dogisbadob > Andy Sheehan, StreetsideStig 01/21/2014 at 14:17

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You need enhanced interrogation techniques to get back there. Yeah I gotta do this shit on my 1MZ but I know how impossible it is, so I just keep adding oil.

Take a trip to Washington and see if the NSA will do it for you :p

Andy Sheehan, StreetsideStig > Quattro-luvr, Powered by Datsun & Stinger 01/21/2014 at 14:17

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Good eye!

Takuro Spirit > Andy Sheehan, StreetsideStig 01/21/2014 at 14:17

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Remove a ton of shit (including intake if its a V6), replace 4 or 10 gaskets just to do the one that's leaking (intake seals, the valve covers, spark plug tube seals if separate, egr gaskets maybe, etc, etc), struggle and swear a lot, make sure you get gaskets that'll stay in the valve cover as you position it back into place on the head or use a dab or two of slicone to keep it in place, and swear some more putting it all back together.

Did the gaskets on my V6 Camry, because the BACK one (the one that's hidden under the intake) was the one that was pissing oil.

EL_ULY > Andy Sheehan, StreetsideStig 01/21/2014 at 14:17

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Andy Sheehan, StreetsideStig > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner 01/21/2014 at 14:18

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Yeah, I don't think I could get the rear VC off without moving the manifold. Is the manifold a big deal? I've never done one of those, either. New gaskets, probably, but it just bolts off, right?

Andy Sheehan, StreetsideStig > CalzoneGolem 01/21/2014 at 14:19

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That's actually what I was hoping to hear.

Andy Sheehan, StreetsideStig > Takuro Spirit 01/21/2014 at 14:25

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That's about what I was expecting. In this case they're both looking pretty shot.

But my friend's a teacher and probably going to get married soon, so I don't want her to have to pay the $500 the garage wants to charge her. That's about a third of the car's worth.

WolfmanJimCBW > Andy Sheehan, StreetsideStig 01/21/2014 at 14:26

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I've changed spark plugs on a 3000GT and I had to take the intake off just to get to the back bank.

EL_ULY > Andy Sheehan, StreetsideStig 01/21/2014 at 14:33

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You have to be careful on that if it's a 2.8L. The timing chain tensioner gaskets fail and it seems like it's the valve cover gaskets. Is it smoking?

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > Andy Sheehan, StreetsideStig 01/21/2014 at 14:43

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I can't say for a 98 Maxima. But my guess is, yes it would just bolt off, and I would do gaskets when you take it off. Another question is, what ELSE needs to come off first?

I don't know ANYTHING about a V6 Maxima from 98, other than I'm sure it's fuel injected and I'm positive it's transverse mount. Which like calzonegolem already said, it's going to be a bitch to do the back one that faces the firewall lol.

This was my 68 with the valve covers off:

though as you can see, I have a lot more room to work LOL:

If you have to pull spark plug wires, make sure they are LABELED so you can put them back in order without a massive headache.

JEM > Andy Sheehan, StreetsideStig 01/21/2014 at 14:43

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I did an intake manifold gasket in my '05 Tiburon V6 (FWD transverse) and it was actually pretty easy. All I did was unbolt the manifold and swing it out of the way, only had to disconnect maybe one other thing than the air intake.

Never done a valve cover gasket but I need to do that in the Jeep 4.0L at some point.

Andy Sheehan, StreetsideStig > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner 01/21/2014 at 14:49

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Good reminder on the plug wires.

Also…dat air cleaner...

Andy Sheehan, StreetsideStig > EL_ULY 01/21/2014 at 14:51

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Not that I've noticed, but I'll ask my friend if she has. The leak goes all along the front edge of the VC.

EL_ULY > Andy Sheehan, StreetsideStig 01/21/2014 at 14:55

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oh ok, i'm just letting you know because I have that engine and at first it may look like valve cover gaskets but it's not. It's a common thing that those tensioner gaskets fail. To do the timing chain tensioner gaskets, you have to completely disassemble the motor. Cams have to come off to get to them.

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > Andy Sheehan, StreetsideStig 01/21/2014 at 15:05

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Yeah you don't wanna go thru that with the plug wires, I recommend painters tape and a sharpie to number.

Haha about the air cleaner. Shinny is always fun, but I want to replace it with this:

Andy Sheehan, StreetsideStig > EL_ULY 01/21/2014 at 15:05

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Good to know, for sure. If those gaskets go, that will probably be the end of the car.

Andy Sheehan, StreetsideStig > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner 01/21/2014 at 15:06

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Yeah, the flat black is pretty hot, too.

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > Andy Sheehan, StreetsideStig 01/21/2014 at 15:12

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That's the plan.

Red with black detail outside, black with red detail inside and under the hood!

OPPOsaurus WRX > Andy Sheehan, StreetsideStig 01/21/2014 at 15:13

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Check to see if you will have to pull the motor. I believe that is what was required for my old sport trac. good luck, ur a brave man for trying this on your own (or a mechanic and then its just another day)

EL_ULY > Andy Sheehan, StreetsideStig 01/21/2014 at 15:18

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it's not too bad. Parts were around $250 (including timing belt kit, water pump) Took me a day and a half to do at home "est. 10-12 hours total non stop". Did require some special tools but I found a way around them. Take the front end off, timing belt pullies off, all 4 cams off, then back together. You can do it :]

Andy Sheehan, StreetsideStig > EL_ULY 01/21/2014 at 15:41

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Maybe if I had a garage and time and stuff. Someday...