Hey guys, I was told a month ago my valve cover gasket needed to be replaced by the Stealership Nissan. I took it there for a oil change since i didnt have time. I took the car to get it aligned since I replaced the ball joint. the guy there said he saw oil on the headgasket, so I dont know who to belive now.

No I am not really mechanically inclined and the car is 100% stock, it has 145k miles I am the owner since 2003.

My question is I called the Nissan guy he said it was 1k to fix it all with parts and labor. My cousin works on all cars and is a teacher and has his own shop and will be here on vacation and has agreed to do the work.

I just need to buy the parts. Nissan guy stated I needed new valve covers? gasket and plenumon gasket replaced since I am already in there.

My question is what exactly do you think I need? is there any performance gaskets for these parts? does replacing the plenuim with a aftermarket one be worth it since I am already in there?

any advice would be nice

 

L-fab has covers cheaper than going through Nissan. I'd do plugs too if they haven't been done yet.

 

Valve cover gaskets are about $12-$15 a piece, one for each side. Example:

http://www.thenismoshop.com/NISSAN-F...5DE_p_779.html

Labor should take around 3.5 hours (for the valve cover gasket replacement).

 

If you have oil leaks on the spark plug holes and noticeable leaks around that area,
chancs are you will need to replace your valve covers,not just the gaskets.
OEM covers are not cheap.About $450 for the pair.Labor is about 3.5 hrs.The
1 K quoted by the dealer is about right.If you can get your cousin to do the job
(he is well versed on working on a 350),I'd do it.With your miles,valve cover
is very common.I'd change plugs while your at it.Advise to go a step colder range.
If you don't have a plenum spacer,it would be a good time to install one.Seems that
you maty save about 500 bucks in labor if your cousin does the work gratis.

 

OK so it seems like I will need the valve cover, you guys recommend a place that sells them? also you recommend which plenuim spacer?

is there any other gaskets I will need? guy at Nissan was saying something about O-rings and a plenium gasket?

 

l-fab? I did the spark plugs yesterday, I did laser cut?

 

ok I just bought the kenix plenuim and 2 valve cover gaskets, any other gaskets while he is there? do I need to get the oem Nissan plenuim gasket? also o-ring gaskets?

 

also there is a lower plenuim, is there a after market one to replace that too?