Spark plug tube seal transplant!
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Well after finding oil on one of my plugs awhile back I started to plan on changing the tube seals. After reading alot of posts and digging through so many seals I couldnt find one that would match the OE seal. Then my valve covers started leaking on the outside and it was time finally to make my move. I work in a Nissan dealership parts dept as a parts consultant and went through our catalog to find a suitable cover to take some seals out of.
I went with some 03 Altima 3.5 covers since theyre less expensive. I have a feeling this is what R&D/L-Fab does when they rebuild the Z covers. I pulled off the baffles on the new Altima covers and extracted the seals with just a small screwdriver careful not to damage them. Theyre not glued in or anything so it didnt take much effort. I used the R&D method of using a 1-7/8 holesaw and a bench drill press. I tried to get the holesaw as centered with the original hole as possible. My holes werent exact and pulling the old seals still wasnt a major problem. Id say using a drill press is leaps and bounds better than using a hend held drill.
I didnt use anything when installing the new transplant seals into my old cover. When I popped them in they were so tight I would have had to use a screwdriver to remove them. They recommended using some RTV but I didnt feel they needed anything to keep them put. Id have to say this is the best solution for the leaking spark plug tube issue. Transplanting Altima seals into a Z cover worked great for me! I took some pictures but Im at work and cant post them but Ill try and upload them from my phone. Hope this post helps!
I went with some 03 Altima 3.5 covers since theyre less expensive. I have a feeling this is what R&D/L-Fab does when they rebuild the Z covers. I pulled off the baffles on the new Altima covers and extracted the seals with just a small screwdriver careful not to damage them. Theyre not glued in or anything so it didnt take much effort. I used the R&D method of using a 1-7/8 holesaw and a bench drill press. I tried to get the holesaw as centered with the original hole as possible. My holes werent exact and pulling the old seals still wasnt a major problem. Id say using a drill press is leaps and bounds better than using a hend held drill.
I didnt use anything when installing the new transplant seals into my old cover. When I popped them in they were so tight I would have had to use a screwdriver to remove them. They recommended using some RTV but I didnt feel they needed anything to keep them put. Id have to say this is the best solution for the leaking spark plug tube issue. Transplanting Altima seals into a Z cover worked great for me! I took some pictures but Im at work and cant post them but Ill try and upload them from my phone. Hope this post helps!
Last edited by Arsenal350; 09-11-2013 at 12:33 PM. Reason: spelling
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Heres a few pics I snapped.
Altima valve cover.
![](https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/1235239_10151647471285735_610755216_n.jpg)
Altima valve cover with baffle broken off and seal removed.
![](https://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/1236075_10151647472260735_435007279_n.jpg)
Altima seal.
![](https://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn2/1173865_10151647471920735_193768308_n.jpg)
Altima seal.
![](https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-frc1/1234763_10151647473595735_1948423746_n.jpg)
Old dried up Z seals.
![](https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn2/1236534_10151647479625735_536888123_n.jpg)
Altima seals transplanted into Z valve cover.
![](https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/1236565_10151647478465735_1387632563_n.jpg)
Close up of transplanted seal in cover.
Altima valve cover.
![](https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/1235239_10151647471285735_610755216_n.jpg)
Altima valve cover with baffle broken off and seal removed.
![](https://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/1236075_10151647472260735_435007279_n.jpg)
Altima seal.
![](https://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn2/1173865_10151647471920735_193768308_n.jpg)
Altima seal.
![](https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-frc1/1234763_10151647473595735_1948423746_n.jpg)
Old dried up Z seals.
![](https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn2/1236534_10151647479625735_536888123_n.jpg)
Altima seals transplanted into Z valve cover.
![](https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/1236565_10151647478465735_1387632563_n.jpg)
Close up of transplanted seal in cover.
![](https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn2/1187215_10151647479005735_632936861_n.jpg)
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The Altima seals are built into the cover like the Z. So you have to buy Altima covers and extract the seals from them. Its a a better option to pay about 60 bucks for 2 valve covers as opposed to 300+. I used part numbers 13264-7Y000 and 13264-7Y010. When you do this you also can use the PCV valve off of the Altima cover on the Z cover.
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#8
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Nice job!
I'd say this is what [they who will remain unnamed] have been using to provide 'rebuild' kits for those with plug tube oil leaks.
I used RTV to 'supplement' the two failed seals I had, and it has worked for about 4k miles now. Your solution takes more work, but is more elegant.
I'd say this is what [they who will remain unnamed] have been using to provide 'rebuild' kits for those with plug tube oil leaks.
I used RTV to 'supplement' the two failed seals I had, and it has worked for about 4k miles now. Your solution takes more work, but is more elegant.
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Someone also found a "seal/"gasket" kit on ebay for these and comes with valve cover gasket. I prefer OEM though, never know what Chinese stuff you're buying.