I was getting the occasional misfire on one cylinder, so I decided to buy 6 new spark plugs since it was about time at 115k miles. I noticed 3 of the cylinders seemed to be leaking lots of literally pooling past the spark plugs and to the coilpacks.

I was in a hurry tonight to get on the road for 4th of July so said "fk it" torqued down the new spark plugs and coilpacks to spec, reconnected everything and started the engine up.

Immediately there was an obvious change in exhaust tone from the cylinder missfires, feels like I only have 3 cylinders actually doing anything now. Also lots of white smoke from what I presume is oil burning off. I'm letting it run at idle right now in the hopes that the excess oil will burn off, and I can get on the road. Any harm in letting it run for a while to burn off the oil while it is obviously misfiring in multiple cylinders?

Is this happening because of oil interfering with the conductivity of the coilpacks and spark plugs? Would ATF spray fix it overnight?

Just looking for a quick fix, I'll deal with the leaky valve cover later.

 

Dont sweat it for the time being. I drove mine from SC to Houston and back leaky. I'd trace the misfires/ prob swap the coil packs for now if you want until the new covers go on. idk / heard any of the rvt etc working for anyone yet.

 

I'm pretty sure the coilpacks are fine, car was running good before I changed the spark plugs. Every few days I would get a misfire code, and hear the exhaust note change slightly for a few minutes then go away. I think there's just so much damn oil in there that the spark isn't bridging the gap on the plugs and firing normally maybe?

Ran the car for 15 minutes, and it's still the same. Noticeably less power too, like, less than a Honda civic.

Where do I buy these R&D replacement spark plug tube seals. I read about them, and apparently people are just using some sort of saw to modify the OEM valve covers? I have 3 tubes leaking oil, both passenger and driver side valve covers are leaking. Is there a direct-fit replacement from a similar nissan vehicle? I read something about pathfinder or maxima's having metal valve covers that might fit, and have replaceable spark plug tube gaskets. Anyone replace their plastic ones with metal?

rvt? what?

 

rtv = gasket maker.

Also, Make sure that coil packs connectors for cylinders no 4 & 6 are connected correctly as they are sometimes mixed-up .

 

Search. Plenty of recent threads on this subject. No bandaid for this problem. Get ready to spend 500 or more just in parts

 

You can try l fab but its a pain getting in touch w them for rebuilt covers. $175 at the end.

 

I think I'm just going to buy two new valve covers tomorrow when the dealerships are open again. $400 plus a day of my time isn't too bad if that's all it is. I only disconnected one connector on each side (cyl's 6 and 3) to remove the coilpacks from the spark plug tubes, so I know they're not mixed up. I'm going to double check I seated the connections fully though, was kind of hasty with clipping them back together.

In the meantime, what's a good method for soaking up/cleaning up all the oil in those spark plug tubes? I seem to recall someone mentioning something about spraying some ATF and letting it evaporate somehow? Not sure if my memory is right with that, sounds wierd.

Cyllinders 3, 5 and 6 had a bunch of oil PUDDLED in them from the heads I presume.

 

Pulled the coilpacks, disassembled and cleaned the ones with oil on them. Now I'm thinking to maybe pull all the spark plugs too, and just crank the engine over to push out whatever oil might be lingering in the cylinders through the spark plug tubes. Will this work do you think? Any harm in doing that?

Got new OEM valve covers on the way next week, but since it's my DD, I would like to have the car up and running until then.

 

if you cleaned the coilpacks, you shouldn't have misfires anymore. if you do, try the pedal ecu reset.

 

Removed spark plugs from cyllinders 3, 4, 5 and 6. They all had oil on them, and I can visibly see the oil seeping in from the blown spark plug tube seals. Here's pics:

Coilpack disassembled:


3:

5:

4:

6:


Not sure if you can see, but the 6th cyllinder piston looks like it has oil burnt/caked onto it, some of the others have spots of oxidation or something? Big deal or no?

 

make sure to clean inside of the rubber boot on each of the coilpacks too. put everything back and reset the ecu.

 

op, any updates on your car?

 

Seafoam it

 

I am currently in the process of doing a DIY for this very issue. IF you want to do this, use the R&D seal fix procedure, with this part # 1327631U21 And you can confirm this seal is for the VQ35DE with these.



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im trying this out!

 

sub

 

The seal needed has an OD of 48mm and the seal pictured is 45 mm. The ID is the same on both though(25mm). I was bored at work and went back and measured them since I happen to have the same issue and work at a Nissan dealer parts department. I did find that the seals in a Titan valve cover are exactly the size needed but unfortunately theyre sold seperately also. I was contemplating tearing the seals out of the Titan cover and using them in my Z covers. Ill still keep searching for a better option though!

 

Ah, I ended up fixing my leaky valve cover gaskets - just replaced with OEM new valve covers that I got for a good deal. Obviously the above stated method is less expensive, and I suggest most people do that now that the part number is available.

I have a blown head gasket 900 miles after fixing it though so hahaha...

 

Friends engine has the same issue with the oil in the plugs. These seals 100% work/fit?