can I replace the valve cover in my 2003 maxima with used one from different year, (or from a different car)

Asked by justamom3 Nov 18, 2012 at 03:58 PM about the 2003 Nissan Maxima

Question type: Maintenance & Repair

5 Answers

9,655

It should be okay to swap with any other car with a VQ30DE engine (3.0 V6) or VQ35DE (3.5 V6), there are various Nissan cars with these powerplants (probably some Infinity models have the same engines). Not sure whether the valve covers can be switched between the 3.0 and 3.5 though, never tried that.

495

You cannot swap valve covers between the VQ30DE-K and VQ35DE. Two entirely different engines. The 3.0 has the rubber seals and grommets etc. separate from the cover itself while the 3.5's rubber seals etc are built into the cover. Buy a 2004-2006 valve cover for a 6th gen Maxima. It's way cheaper and the seals are better. It fits perfectly as the 5.5 gen and 6th gen use the same engine. Make sure to use adequate RTV sealant and Torque the bolts properly in the right sequence or it will leak.

1 people found this helpful.
16,945

only use rubber gaskets made for valve covers on it NOT rtv sealant.

495

Nissan suggests using RTV in the FSM but either way it works. Most use the RTV, some use the gasket and some use both.

1 people found this helpful.
16,945

I'm a tech at nissan. (5 years now) the oil pan' timing cover, etc. use silicone but they do not recommend using anything but the rubber gasket on the valve covers.

2 people found this helpful.

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