Valve cover questions

[97t4r81]

Hi all I got a new oem pcv valve and went to install, part of old grommets fell into the hole!!!! So I pull valve cover and see I'm not the first in here so I have questions. First off this looks like reasonabley clean valve train? Next in photo you'll see a plug(there's 3)that requires a huge extension to remove; what are they and why would you remove it? Next how hard is it to check valve clearance and make adjustments? Is it ok to only do one side(valve adjust)? Thanks

 

[phattyduck]

If you drop parts of the grommet into the valve cover, it sits on top of a shield and doesn't drop into the valvetrain. You'll need small/thin needle-nose pliers to get the bits out... No need to remove the valve cover, as no bits will make it down there, normally.

How many miles on the engine? That's a normal amount of build up, assuming a normal-ish 100k-250k miles on it.

You can check the valve clearance, but they are probably fine.

Those large hex plugs are probably for an oil gallery or something. Nothing to worry about.

-Charlie

 

[nissanh]

Get new (preferably OEM) valve cover gaskets and spark plug tube seals. Put everything together, but be very careful when you tight the valve cover bolts. If you tight it too much you'll crack the valve cover.

 

[97t4r81]

This vc under side. I took off vc before I even thought to ask. How does this look?

 

[97t4r81]

177k

 

[JayRolla]

This vc under side. I took off vc before I even thought to ask. How does this look?

Looks super dirty and full of sludge. Ha!

 

[OneOffStroker]

I don't think it looks too bad under there. New gaskets and plug seals are a good idea. I took mine out two days ago, and the seals were brittle and shattered, which means they are probably not much good for sealing anymore. Yours may be similar.

 

[animator]

For 177k, I wouldn't worry about that at all.

 

[97t4r81]

Thank you im cleaning and reassembling tomorrow. I appreciate your input. Can I remove/should I remove the plate on the under side of the vc, to clean any debris from the area that the pcv grommet fell into or not worry. Im going to degrease and paint vc as I go, anything I'm missing?( I have new non oem(stone) gaskets and grommets. Any tips for detailing top of Motor would be must helpful

 

[OneOffStroker]

Thank you im cleaning and reassembling tomorrow. I appreciate your input. Can I remove/should I remove the plate on the under side of the vc, to clean any debris from the area that the pcv grommet fell into or not worry. Im going to degrease and paint vc as I go, anything I'm missing?( I have new non oem(stone) gaskets and grommets. Any tips for detailing top of Motor would be must helpful

The plates are riveted on, so there isn't much hope for removing them. Just shake it around upside-down until you are certain that all the grommet has come out.

As far as detailing goes, a couple cans of brake cleaner or a spray bottle of acetone do wonders, just minimize contact with rubber and electrical parts.

 

[mtbtim]

Your engine looks fine. Don't touch those hex head plugs. Don't know what they are for but you don't need to worry about them for a valve cover gasket job.

Here's a video tutorial [MENTION=102606]infamousRNR[/MENTION] and I made of doing this repair:

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/N5fAXAuGozI" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

 

[JRZEE2000TR4LTD]

Hi all I got a new oem pcv valve and went to install, part of old grommets fell into the hole!!!! So I pull valve cover and see I'm not the first in here so I have questions. First off this looks like reasonabley clean valve train? Next in photo you'll see a plug(there's 3)that requires a huge extension to remove; what are they and why would you remove it? Next how hard is it to check valve clearance and make adjustments? Is it ok to only do one side(valve adjust)? Thanks

OK, I'll address the elephant in the room. Why in the world would you try to remove those hex plugs? Just curious.

 

[97t4r81]

I noticed that the p.o. Had tampered with that bolt. I'm not taking it out , but was curious so I asked. Thanks everyone