Anyone who has driven their zed and had some fun will have most likely not only been rewarded with a thrilling ride but also with that unmistakable odour of burning hot oil, either whilst driving or just after parking up.

 

No really mystery that in most cases it leaking outer cam covers dropping oil from the rear corners onto the turbo`s or manifolds on non turbo`s.

 

So stripping out the relevant parts to get to the pesky covers and re-seal them is fairly straight forward but its is essential to be clean and safe, keep all parts in order and cover all intake holes whilst the plenum is off so nothing can drop in there.

 

The two inner covers have quite chunky rubber seals and new ones of these are readily available from Nissan ( do not use e-bay ones)

 

However for those who do not know the outer covers do not have seals but sit on a bed of sealant, this can be a bit tricky to get right if its your first time doing this job, but even before you even start that ensure all traces of the old sealant are removed and non of it has fallen into the camshaft area, a wipe with brake cleaner or similar to degrease the faces is vital or the sealant will not have a chance. just remember to be CLEAN, CLEAN, CLEAN!

 

Despite Nissan having a specific sealant for this job, high temp silicon sealant is more than capable and works out just fine, so with a bit of care and time you can enjoy the thrill without the pong!!

 

Jeff TT

 

 

 

 

 

Edited January 16, 201115 yr by JeffTT

I suppose this is really the only place oil can leak from the top of the engine? On mine it looks like its been running down the back of the block around the bellhousing and onto the floor - this a usual characteristic of this leak or sound like something else?

Edited January 16, 201115 yr by vern936

I had the chance to do this two months ago when I decided

to get my covers powder coated red; as you say, fairly easy

job just ensure there sealed back up ok with the right stuff!

I suppose this is really the only place oil can leak from the top of the engine? On mine it looks like its been running down the back of the block around the bellhousing and onto the floor - this a usual characteristic of this leak or sound like something else?

 

Yes thats exactly what it looks like, if you have that its a 100% the cam cover seal, oddly we have seen a few more of the inner seals leaking to now from hardening or from been reused when previous work been done.

 

Jeff TT

 

when re-sealing the cam covers do you replace the half moon seals aswell? or is it ok to just re-seal these up with the same said sealer?

 

The half moon seals are not that expensive but inspection is the key, provided they are still soft and pliable should be ok, the issue is not really with them, although they do need checking.

 

Jeff TT

Yes thats exactly what it looks like, if you have that its a 100% the cam cover seal, oddly we have seen a few more of the inner seals leaking to now from hardening or from been reused when previous work been done.

 

Jeff TT

 

Cool! Gives me an excuse to get the plenum off for an attempt at polishing as well! Thanks for the help