Valve Cover Gaskets

[NismoFire]

I put the Felpro gasket on the passenger side valve cover earlier in the spring. It is already leaking again. Now the driver's side is leaking (OEM gasket). The little grommet/washers that came with it are cracked/broken now as well, and that is causing a leak on the front of the motor.

My goal was to add an intake spacer when I did the driver's side (because the intake has to come off during install), but I don't have the money for one, so I'll need a gasket for the intake, too.



I do not want to use Felpro again. I do not feel like their rubber gaskets are quality. I've used their paper gaskets for years, but this was the first (and last) experience I've had with the rubber.


Suggestions on gaskets? I'm going to have to do the driver's side myself to save money.

 

[Edodrian]

Victor Reinz gaskets maybe?

I don't know why you are having so many issues out of them. By chance is the valve cover warped?

 

[drbandkgb]

People tighten the covers and over tighten and they bend...
I'd look for new replacements

 

[NismoFire]

Victor Reinz gaskets maybe?

I don't know why you are having so many issues out of them. By chance is the valve cover warped?

The OEM passenger gasket leaked for probably 2 years before I finally replaced it this spring. Now it's leaking again and the driver's side just started about 2 months ago. Took me this long to track it down.

 

[NismoFire]

People tighten the covers and over tighten and they bend...
I'd look for new replacements

If anything, they're too loose. I have one screw that keeps backing out right in the middle of the outside of the passenger cover. I'm going to source a torque wrench for this project this time.

 

[drbandkgb]

It won't matter... The holes bend and will not allow the cover to tighten.. ..

 

[NismoFire]

They're going to have to work. I have no other options.

 

[drbandkgb]

Yeah I get that... And I would try to tighten... Maybe it can slow it down

 

[ellisfamilyokc]

Maybe some thread locker blue would be the answer?

 

[Edodrian]

They're going to have to work. I have no other options.

Once you get the covers off lay them on something that you know is quite flat. See if the areas around the bolt holes are pressed down against your makeshift straight edge. If so, you could slightly adjust on them with a small hammer.

 

[Silver dude]

Victor Reinz gaskets maybe?

Victor Reinz = OEM supplier for Nissan.

This is bad news for me because I have the Fel-pro kit half installed as well.

The intake spacer kits just mail you a tube of RTV silicone.

 

[ryandavenport]

Don't use thread locker. Loose bolts are only a symptom of a larger problem so the thread locker won't work. Anytime we saw an issue with cam cover bolts not staying tight when I worked at Dana (owns Victor Reinz) it was because the can cover itself was out of flatness. Like stated earlier, you can try to hammer them back flat, but it is extremely difficult to do in a lab setting, so it will be even harder to do in a non-perfect shop setting. I would recommend finding the flattest table possible and hammering flat with a 2x4. If you use just the hammer you could warp the metal further and cause more issues.

 

[Intender]

I don't remember what brand mine are, it whatever they sell at advance. I used a combo of rtv and the gasket. I put just the thinest layer of rtv I could get in the groove on the valve cover then lay the gasket in. I think I put a dab of rtv in some of the corners before I laid it on. Been about 3 years leak free so far. I do go back and crank all the bolts down a couple times a year.

 

[NismoFire]

http://catalog.mahle-aftermarket.com/na/modules/gasket/detail.xhtml?filterId=586986 Here's the Victor Reinz set with grommets. Gonna have to look harder for where to buy them.

Which intake gasket would I need? I'm not taking it apart, just removing the plenum from the block, right?

"Plenum Gasket not Included Intake Manifold Gasket Material: Rubber Coated Beaded Steel" OR
"Position Lower and Upper, Includes Plenum Gasket Plenum Gasket Material: Rubber Coated Beaded Steel, Intake Manifold Gasket Material: Steel"

 

[ryandavenport]

http://catalog.mahle-aftermarket.com/na/modules/gasket/detail.xhtml?filterId=586986 Here's the Victor Reinz set with grommets. Gonna have to look harder for where to buy them.

Which intake gasket would I need? I'm not taking it apart, just removing the plenum from the block, right?

"Plenum Gasket not Included Intake Manifold Gasket Material: Rubber Coated Beaded Steel" OR
"Position Lower and Upper, Includes Plenum Gasket Plenum Gasket Material: Rubber Coated Beaded Steel, Intake Manifold Gasket Material: Steel"

Did you use a Nissan OEM gasket the last time you replaced the cam cover gasket? Victor Reinz isn't OEM for these gaskets as far as I know. It's another company currently.

The part number you'll need from Nissan for the cam cover gaskets is 13270-7B000. The plenum gasket part number is 14033-5S700. You'll need one of those. If you have to remove the entire intake manifold (doubtful you'll have to do this) you'll need two of 14035-V5205.

Good luck!

 

[Edodrian]

Should just need the upper plenum gasket if doing the drivers side valve cover gasket.

Do you have have a Napa nearby? Maybe they have some oem replacements that are a bit redesigned.