i think that has something to do with the valve covers, check them out. u should scan the car for codes before replacing stuff that may not be at fault

 

search for:
valve covers, PCV Valve

 

The leak is cause by faulty /worn out spark plug tube seals that are attached to your Rear Valve cover, as same as the front valve covers.

to fix the problem you need to replace the rear valve cover which has the new spark plug tube seals as well. ( only real way to fix it...)

coils are fine. but you should replace your valve covers...

i bet you got a ton of white smoke after your first start up when you put the spark plugs back in from all the oil that went into the cylinder ..? hehe .. i always like that part...

 

yea its the valve cover. do it yourself... nissan cost me 465 bucks to get it done parts were only like 120 bucks... i got raped

 

Wasn't it recommended to use '05+ valve covers? I seem to remember that from a thread a while back.

 

yah i believe so, they are thicker spark plug tube seals i guess...

 

It would be interesting to find out if that really was the cause of your error code. I found the same thing when I changed my plugs this past spring. I wasn't having any problems and the car was running fine, I just hit 100,000 miles and figured it was time to change the plugs. I just cleaned everything up real well, put in the new plugs and put it back together. I have no idea how long it had been that way. I figured that the air in the spark plug boot would prevent any oil from actually getting to the contacts of the spark plug and not to worry about it. The car still runs great. At least if I do get an error code someday I'll have a really good idea what the problem is. Until then, I'm out no money for what maybe a non-problem.

 

I have a 2002 Altima 3.5 Auto (112,000 miles), and just changed my spark plugs and had the same exact issue. The spark plug closest to the drivers side (in the back right if facing the car) had lots of oil in it. So I just have to replace the Rear Valve Cover? What about the Spark Plug Coil? Anything else I need?

Is this the correct part for the Rear Valve Cover?

COVER ASSY-VALVE ROCKER - Altima (L31) 11/2002-01/2004 3.5L, 08/2004+ 3. :: Nissan Parts, NISMO and Nissan Accessories - Courtesyparts.com

Thanks.

 

You really need to find out what code triggered your SES light.
Define covered in oil.
Was the upper part of the plug covered or was it the electrode part that is in the combustion chamber covered?
That makes a huge difference in how you fix the problem.
If the upper part had oil on it then replacing the valve cover and the seals will fix the problem.
If the lower, or electrode, part was covered in oil then you have an oil control problem in the motor and you'll either need a valve job or new piston rings.

 

The upper part of the plug tube was covered in oil (not the lower), so I am thinking it is the valve cover and valve cover gasket that need to be replaced.

It has been confirmed that the 05 Valve Cover/Valve Cover Gasket fit the 02 models per 3.5altman.

Rocker Cover = Valve Cover

Here are the Nissan Part #'s..

'05 Rear Valve Cover - Part #: 13264-7Y000 (Qty 1)
'05 Rear Valve Cover Gasket - Part #: 13270-EA20A (Qty 1)
Ignition Coil - Part #: 22448-8J11C (I only need Qty 1)

On a side note here is the Nissan Part # for the Engine Cover Bolt that holds on the plastic cover to the engine which uses an allen head(there are 4 of them):

Engine Cover Bolt - Part #: 16122-5Y70A

 

Since the oil was all over the upper part of the plug and it soaked the end of the plug wire it was probably shorting the spark straight to the valve cover causing the miss.

Good luck with the 05 retrofit.

 

just did my 02 v6 spark plugs today and had the exact same problem.... rear plug tube on the driver side leaking oil. The rubber plug boot is oil soaked and really rubbery feeling. Also seems all the old plugs were undertorqued to where i could almost unscrew them by hand. I haven't decided whether to replace the valve covers. Car is running OK but on the other hand the oil is leaking all over and making a mess and also it causes rubber parts to deteriorate.

 

VALVE cover..happened to me meng.....