Man. I tell you what your videos have been absolutely invaluable to me and a lot of us in the xterra community. Seriously man, thank you for what you do. This is what the internet is for. You don't have a bunch of goofy intros or adverts you just share information in a informative, clear and accessible way. From the bottom of my heart, thank you.

Really great video. Just one comment which could save you a lot of money. Once you take off the plenum/intake, cover up the intake ports with rags so that you don't accidently drop a nut, bolt, washer or anything else in there which will go directly into the cylinder and possibly destroy the pistons, valves or cylinder when you start the engine. I had a friend once drop a washer into his engine and didn't notice, by the time he figured out what happened, the washer jumped from cylinder to cylinder and destroyed the engine. Great day.

In the sea of countless Honda rebuilds and the such, you’re a hero to the owners of this fine truck.

Dang, probably one of the best, easiest to follow how to car repair videos I have seen in a while, thanks!

Really appreciate you taking the time to do this. I'm about to replace the valve stem seals on my 210K Frontier 4.0 V6. This gets me most of the way there.

Today I finished my sons spark plug and coil replacement using this video. You have no idea how helpful this was. It is a very labor intensive job and it took me a lot of hours, having never done anything this complex before. The truck is an 07 Xterra with 154,000 miles on it. Grey just like yours. I ordered the parts from my local CarQuest and I used NGK iridium plugs. It was expensive for all the parts but I don’t anticipate having to do this again for a while. I watch as many of your videos that relate to the xterra and you have taught me how to service this vehicle from differential fluid changes to transmission and transfer case fluids too. I was told by the owner of the Car Quest I go to that the stealership price for this would have been close to 2000 bucks ! I believe him too, because around here everything is mega expensive. The plugs were 12 ea. And the coils were a lot, 50 each. It works great , runs great and thank you for making these videos you help a lot of people.

I absolutely love that you explain everything, and why, in each video! It helps me so much! I do watch other videos on Xterra “how to”, to get a well rounded understanding, but you are always my main “go to” because you’re so thorough and explanatory. Being a completely newbie, I have to go slow and be really deliberate when I work on my chariot 🚗. Thank you, RTCG!

I know you made this video years ago, but I literally just saw that I was leaking oil from the same covers, I was panicking, but my first search came to your channel! And I already followed you due to past projects on my second gen! I am very thankful you are the content creator you are, man. You have helped me and saved me money! Thank you, thank you.

This video is MONEY!! Thank you for the post! I did this job today on my 2007 Xterra and referred to the torque sequence using the classic German torque (good n tite). You can definitely feel when the final torque is applied. I will say, that the left (driver) side is more of a pain in the ass and it takes a special tool to remove the fuel line from the rail. I got a little ghetto with it and used two different sizes to get past the lip. I also busted the hose that links both valve covers together. I hope someone has it in stock tomorrow. Hopefully the leak is gone once i get it all reassembled. Tanks again!!

Would you mind re-shooting this video again? Only this time using my Xterra LOL

That tip about the RTV curing...priceless! I've watched quite a few videos and none of them mentioned that.

Thanks for the video I cleaned my air flow, throttle body and replaced my spark plugs Right side found the rubber/spring type gaskets around sparks plugs were all busted so will have to get a new valve cover. Made it pretty easy job just need to be patient with some tuff bolt locations

Great video. I was looking for a video on how to remove the plenum since Im having a clicking noise coming from my power control valve at 2200rpm. Apparently its easiest to just replace the entire plenum since it comes with the power control valve. Your video covered this perfectly plus Replacing the spark plugs. Well done.

Thank you for making this video, it's very educational...! 👍😊

I don't need to do this yet but I just changed the valve cover gasket on my girlfriends Chrysler Sebring and it was like a 20 minute job and super easy I guess my frontier will be a little more serious lol. Thanks again per usual ry!!

Great Video and Excellent Job....

I'm fixing to do this to my 09 xterra and while I'm in there I will be doing the o-rings around the spark plugs in the valve cover. Ain't no way that I'm going to do this job without doing those, ya gotta be crazy not to do that while you're in that deep. Awesome video buddy, keep it up. 👍

Thanks keep up the great job posting its helping me a lot

Just took in my 2012 Xterra for the 100k mile spark plug job and was told that I had the same leak plus some oil on some of the spark plugs. Now that I watched your video I feel like the shop's recommendation to replace both valve covers was legitimate.

Great video man thanks. Very informative and professional. Your my new favorite...lol.

Great video. Helpful

Great video, very well explained with no fluff. Thanks so much!

could you make a video of how to clean the catalytic converter? thank you for all of your help

was having a hard time with this job earlier today, glad i found this video to help, ill have it knocked out tomorrow!

just did it today, and i have a p0507 for your next video. thanks for you video.

Magnificently done thank you

Great Video. How did you remove the electric connector ( in the video it is at 7.34 seconds). Can you please do it step by step.

Great video. about to attempt this myself. is it advisable to use an ODB II memory saver before disconnecting negative battery cable to save all the electronic information? or will this cause ECM issues?

Thank You for the time to do these correctly for us ....just did mine ...my leak was in the flute of the back sparkplug bay...

You are good. I enjoyed your videos.

I'm 75 years old and my father's son. I did this job a few years ago on my 2011 Pathfinder when, in the process of changing spark plugs, i found oil in the #6 plug hole. Too cheap to pay anyone to do something I thought I could do, I watched this and other videos and bought new valve covers and gaskets from Nissan. The rubber seals for the plugs in the stock valve covers, if I'm not mistaken, are not replaceable. The valve covers were not terribly expensive. I took a lot of photos as I disconnected hoses and wires just to make sure I didn't miss anything. It was funny. While I had the engine apart, one of my neighbors wandered into the garage and asked what I was doing. I told him I'd started to change spark plugs, which require taking the plenium off and wound up much deeper. He listened and said, "I don't even know how to open the hood on my wife's car". It took me much of the day but I got it done by being patient. Had no wires or hoses that were left disconnected. I was sore for a week after but the feeling of success in these things is wonderful.

Simply Great VID ! Super Thnx !!

Hey awesome videos! I'm looking into replacing my valve covers since at least one spark plug seal is leaking oil onto the top of my spark plug (rear passenger cylinder, so #5?). Question, are the cheaper valve covers kits you can get on eBay and Amazon just as good as Nissan factory? ($70 off brand vs. $115 for a Nissan warehouse supplied kit) I'm just concerned about quality of the seals, especially at the spark plugs!

Thank you, thank you so much man!! Very helpful!! Had trouble finding a gasket for the VVT didn’t know what it was until you pointed it out!! 🎉

Nice video and easy to follow your instructions.

Ry, thanks for the walk through and tutorial. I noticed that I was getting that smell about a couple months ago on my 2006 Frontier. I noticed today that I had a couple drops of oil under the truck...grr...hate oil leaks. I found that both the driver side and passenger side valve covers are leaking. Thanks so much for the video again, I will be tackling this project next weekend.

I wish you show @ 6:57 how the right valve cover was removed. Do you have a video for how to remove the right valve? Great job

Thanks so much for this brother

I am waiting for your video on the cylinder head gasket and valve seals...

252k miles on my first gen xterra. Runs great, zero rust.

Think I have said this before ... your videos helped make my decision easier to buy an Xterra. I went with a 1st Gen and have been slowly bringing it back to life. Presently while trying to remove my valve cover ran into a screw that will not budge. Any advice?! Thanks

Ry, did you have to remove the fuel line on the driver side that crosses over on top of the valve cover? If not did you put any adhesive on the valve cover to help the gasket from falling out for the driver side? I'm struggling to put that side on. He could give me any pointers, I would greatly appreciate it. Thanks and have a great day

can you do a video on replacing the fuel rail, injectors and other components?

I need to do my coils this video is gunna help alot !! Thanks

Can you please tell me where the vacuum line on the very back of the intake goes to? The one you disconnected last to take off the manifold. I have a vacuum leak from that hole in the back and can’t find a hose that it goes to.

Hi totally out of topic but I didn't see any related videos,i have a slip,vdc,and abs on,i changed the cam sensor bank 2 driver side. They are still on any tips ???

Thank you! great work sir!! I had oil in one of the spark plug wells. As I dove into this project to replace the gasket, I quickly learned that the spark plug tube O rings were not serviceable, even though O'reilly sold me a set of 6 O rings that were supposed to fit my vehicle, '11 pathy. So I realized I needed a new passenger side valve cover. (Amazon for $45, O-rings included) if you have any oil in the spark plug tubes, you really would want to replace the valve cover at this time! Thanks for this EXCELLENT VIDEO. Pathy running awesome!!

Thank you, very helpful video. Its a lot more annoying than changing an s2000 valve cover gasket but it will tackle this

i had a leak on one side of the valve cover... i purchased the gasket and read about sometimes when you remove a spark plug you find it covered in oil.. i had that issue and ordered the valve cover from nissan. so if you have a valve cover leak, i suggest buying the replacement valve cover for both sides to avoid doing the job twice :)

Side question, I have a code P0011 which is vtc solenoid on back 1, replaced it, clear the code and the service light still come back with same code...

Did I miss the torque specs for the cam piece you took off in front of passenger side front cover?

Ry, I’m stuck working on the driver side cover. There’s an electrical cable that reaches over the cover and down the side, but I can’t figure out how to detach the clip. Can you give any pointers? By the way, super video! Thanks for putting this together.

Ry you showed two different bolt patterns is it different for the right and left sides?

Thank You so much. I found that my 2008 Xterra needed valve cover gaskets after changing the spark plugs and finding oil on them. The shop is charging $300 for it. Hopefully with this video I can tackle it myself.

Great video. Make sure the negative battery terminal is disconnected before unplugging anything electrical. If not, asking for ECM problems

3 weeks ago I quit my job of 3 years to drive Uber/Lyft full time... of course 1 week later my truck started running like crap🤦‍♂️ and the few slow/small oil leaks from the valve cover I new about quickly got much worse. I've changed my oil & brake pads once. Needless to say I'm not very mechanically inclined & this video saved my ass! I believe the main issue was my throttle body on my '09 Frontier LE was so dirty it couldn't open. About to fire it up now 🤞🤞🤞

Nice can you show us how to remove oxygen sensor i got the tool but it seem it doesnt fit its 22 mm size and the place is so tight and oxygen sensor pigtail wire is so big didnt for normal type oxygen sensor tool

Excellent!

Hello Ry just a question how to change head gaskets on Xterra

My 2005 Xterra has a leak an sounds like air is coming out from the gasket an burning alot of gas is this the reason why is burning alot of gas thanks an you made a helpfulll video

A few comments on an other wise great video; on my 06 Frontier but applies to most applications, every time you turned your dirty valve covers upside down over the valve train I cringed, a lot of sand and debris sits on those covers and is pretty loose, I would get the dirty covers far away from the internal engine areas before your turned it over, IMHO. You took off the off the cam solenoid adjuster on the passengers side but didn't mention it has a gasket attached to it, mine fell between the frame and the block. Also, drivers side, the last bolt towards the firewall takes a lot of skill and maybe a flex joint on a ratchet to get it out plus the fuel supply line has to be finagled around the valve cover when you slide it out on the drivers side. YMMV!

Thanks for the xterra vids! Do you happen to remember or know if the spark plug tube seals are serviceable? Or do I need a whole new valve cover?

What is the torque setting for the valve covers?

Can I still reprogram my throttle position body to my computer box with this problem showing on the diagnostic...fuel level sensor, power steering sensor,mass sensor, coolant sensor, fuel temperature sensor and battery current sensor??need help asap

What tool for the throttle body bolts? Allen or torx? Size? I can't find anything to fit.

I need ur help I have a 2003 Nissan Xterra and I have a water link in the back it’s metal with screw. But where the water is coming out from it’s hard to explain. And I don’t know what it’s called I have a video is there a way I can send it to u. And u can tell me or make a video of it plzz

Hi Ryan, I appreciate you taking the time to do this. The driver side seems to be notorious for springing a leak around the front corner where the RTV has to be applied. I had the dealership replace that side due to a leak when my truck was still under warranty and it started leaking two years later. I did my spark plugs about two years ago and replaced the covers and gaskets while I was at it. The slight leak at the corner has returned. Is yours still dry? I have a Frontier, so I am not sure if that has to do with anything, but many others on Clubfrontier have also spoke of the small leak on the driver's side with the VQ engine. Any insight you have is appreciated.

Do you have to replace the spark plug seals when you remove the valve cover? My frontier manual said yes but when I tried to remove mine I broke my valve cover. Any tips?

Hey, I am curious to know if all that disassembly is required to replace the driver side? Just looks more accessible at a quick glance. Thanks

Dude I attacked this over last weekend! I gotta donate you a six pack of beer or the monitory equivalent, having a visual on everything was insanely helpful, more than you know no doubt. If you got a paypal or a whatever let me know! It’s earned no doubt

What’s the hose that’s connected to the intake that goes in the valve cover itself called? The one right next to the engine cover. I ended breaking the hose when replacing my Camshaft and crankshaft sensors.

GREAT XTERRA.

Job is complete, but when I turned on my pathfinder, I have very minimal brake pressure. If I recall, my pedal was pretty far down. I had to use my emergency brake to stop my pathfinder. Any thoughts why I lost my break pressure? suggestions? Thank you.

I love that sigh at minute 2:50.

My god what a job

hi nice tutorial !!!! Would you happen to know where are the knock sensor located ?

Quick question if you still check the comments, I'm replacing the valve cover gaskets and spark plugs. Anything else you would suggest while I have the top of the motor torn apart?

A bit off topic here, but have you ever came across a oil mixture in the radiators coolant?

Ry Ry Ry Ry my man, 😎 by any chance do you have a video on how to change the lifters on a 2006 Nissan Xterra ?🤠

I’m about to change the gaskets on my xterra 2009 , I recently changed my spark plugs and I noticed that there was a little oil on them but I was told that I need to replace the valve covers as well as the gaskets because the gasket rings for the spark plugs are not re service.

Can you make a video on why your gas mileage drop.TY

@Ry, do you know if the spark plug tube seals can be replaced at the same time or do you need to buy an entire new valve cover?

How do you remove electrical connector in 7:34 step by step please

anyone know if this is normal when i take out the pcv valve inside the port that its in on the valve cover inside i stick my finger in there and it has like burnt oil inside ? is that bad ?

Thanks!

Can the spark plug tube seal be replaceable or do I need a new valve cover?

My question to you is why did you not replace the tube seals while you were doing the valve cover gaskets also why did you not replace the intake gasket or the throttle body gasket.

Will this work for a 2003 nissan pathfinder se?

If I take off my valve cover for my frontier will I need another gasket I'm just checking for lifter noise

Ry, does 2nd Gen Xterra need valve adjustment? Some say, that valve clearence adjustement is needed every 40000 miles, especially if the vehicle is operated in extreme cold. Thank you!

hell yeah brother

Maybe a stupid question but i saw 2 gaskets did you do both sides or do both go on one side?

Ry, dude a bunch of neon green coolant shot out of one of the two throttle body hoses, seems like it was under a some pressure. You said a little might leak out. But this was way different than what you described. Would that cause some problems, because when I started the engine after it's all reassembled, the service engine light came on? No I haven't refilled to coolant yet. When I start it, I'm hearing some concerning noises lol. I'm def going to tow it to a legit spot. Also, I had no idea there were two valve covers, you didn't go into replacing the other one, why not?

Did you only do the passenger side valve cover or is there another video where you do the driver side?

Just got it done took me around 6 hours and yes I am mechanically inclined. I think for passenger side getting all of the wire out of the brackets is most important and you don’t need to remove solenoid sensor at all. For driver side I found it a little more difficult do the all of the hoses crossing over and it was definitely tighter but honestly got it done faster cause I was more confident of the torquing down bolts without any torq wrenches. Going to wait 2 days before so I let that gasket maker beads fully cure. Wouldn’t really hate to do this shit again! Good luck everyone and be paint! Also have a long magnet tool to retrieve your bolts and nuts because they will fall😂

Love this video! Appreciate your help. Question, how would the driver side go? There are a couple more hoses there that are in the way, do those just get disconnected?

What year is it would it work with 2007 Frontier 4.0 L Vq40de

Awesome video Ry. I was wondering, since you removed the VVT solenoids did you replace the gaskets on them, and if you did do you happen to remember where you purchased them, I cannot seem to find them w/out purchasing the solenoids as well. Also, I replaced my Spark plugs and noticed that some had a little bit of oil deposit on them. Do you think is because of the grommets or the rubber inserts on teh valve covers are dried out and oil is sipping into the spark plug tubes? Thank you, and and thank to anyone that can answer my questions, much appreciate it.

hi there how was your nissan is there any engine leak after this repair?

how many miles are on that Xterra? I have a 2007 Pathfinder with 180k miles on it and they don't leak (yet).. also has the Timing chain whine which I'm not doing nothing about.. noise has been there for 70k miles (heh). I had to do gaskets on the 2000 Xterra I have at 140k (3.3L )