2000 Xterra 3.3 automatic.
About two months ago, my passenger side valve cover gasket was leaking. Very small leak, but I seen and smelled it. So I went and bought a good set of rubber gaskets.
I replaced the passenger side, that was leaking. Fixed!!! Easy to get to.
I looked at the drivers side, and it was fine. So I just saved the gasket.
Well...I noticed a smell of burnt oil the other night after coming home. I cannot see a leak anywhere, but it does look damp around that gasket now. ugh! I am not low on oil at all. So it is a very minor leak.
The reason I am posting this.
It looks like a ton of work to do the drivers side. I can't even see the valve cover on that side. Has anyone done one of these?
I see I have to remove the aluminum thing on top, and a ton of stuff. Is this a tough job, and require other gaskets, besides the valve cover gasket?
plan on replacing the vacuum hoses in the back, and the intake manifold gasket. you might be able to get the vacuum hoses loose in the back, but I had to cut mine and then cut them off with a knife. you will have to take a ton of stuff loose so plan on having a label maker or some tape nearby to mark what is what, particularly the o2 sensors. honestly most of the stuff is designed to fit in only its particularly plug, but is still safe. I labeled all of mine with numbers as i was taking them loose and then wrote down a list of each number an what it was so that when I put it all back together I could check stuff off the list as I went and make sure I didnt miss anything.
It was a bit of a pain to do, but dont let that deter you.
__________________
Apply dirt liberally, rinse and repeat
<<<-click for build
Lifted it
cut a bit
Lifted it more
welded a lot
33's mt's
cut some more
Got a winch
Parked until I can get a new steering setup.
plan on replacing the vacuum hoses in the back, and the intake manifold gasket. you might be able to get the vacuum hoses loose in the back, but I had to cut mine and then cut them off with a knife. you will have to take a ton of stuff loose so plan on having a label maker or some tape nearby to mark what is what, particularly the o2 sensors. honestly most of the stuff is designed to fit in only its particularly plug, but is still safe. I labeled all of mine with numbers as i was taking them loose and then wrote down a list of each number an what it was so that when I put it all back together I could check stuff off the list as I went and make sure I didnt miss anything.
It was a bit of a pain to do, but dont let that deter you.
I will get it done shortly. I am hoping advance or someone local has the intake gasket. Nissan is not close to me.
Do you have to use permatex on the intake gasket???
Quote:
Originally Posted by drbandkgb
ITs a good couple hour project.. Did mine a month ago..
You will need a new intake gasket for sure.. I was able to save my hoses..
I changed my plugs while I was at it.. Saves you a little pain..
Thanks! I just did my plugs and wires, and a ton of maintenance. I thought I was done for a while. Guess not. Did you use permatex on your intake gasket? Or just out it on dry?
Okay, got it! I didn't use anything on my one valve cover. Just cleaned it well, and used the rubber gasket. I need to see if someone local carries my intake gasket. Might as well do it and be done with it.
Just make certain the mating surfaces are CLEAN. On Dave's pic, you can see some smeg on the lower intake that should be cleaned off before the new gasket goes on. Also wouldn't hurt to buy some M8x1.25-20mm bolts. I had to destroy my intake bolts to remove it.
Note: Someone check me on that. It's been a while and I don't have the bolts/package in front of me.
Just make certain the mating surfaces are CLEAN. On Dave's pic, you can see some smeg on the lower intake that should be cleaned off before the new gasket goes on. Also wouldn't hurt to buy some M8x1.25-20mm bolts. I had to destroy my intake bolts to remove it.
Note: Someone check me on that. It's been a while and I don't have the bolts/package in front of me.
That sounds right to me. I dropped 2 of my bolts down in the engine bay and never found them and messed up a couple trying to get them out. I bought some of the black allen head screws from home depot to replace mine. I think they were about $1.50 for a pack of 2.
__________________
Apply dirt liberally, rinse and repeat
<<<-click for build
Lifted it
cut a bit
Lifted it more
welded a lot
33's mt's
cut some more
Got a winch
Parked until I can get a new steering setup.
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