2003 Infiniti G35/Nissan 350Z VQ35 Ignition Coil and Valve Cover Replacement - Part 1

Update 3 Oct 18: I have replaced the valve cover gaskets with Victor Reinz part #'s 53658 and 53659 for left and right. I have paired these new, better gaskets with the cheap valve covers that I purchased from Amazon. The Amazon covers come with gaskets but the gasket included is poor quality and it began to leak after a few thousand miles. You can view the update video here:    • Видео  

Update 22Sep18: Well I've started to see some oil leaking from the valve covers so if you are in the market for new covers you may want to hold off for a bit until I have time to take mine off again. I plan to investigate to see if it is the cover or the gaskets. I think that the gasket has caused the leak but I am not positive at this point. I hope to have them fixed by next weekend and I will report back with my findings.


This is part 1 of a 2-part series on replacing the ignition coils and valve/rocker cover on a VQ35DE engine. This engine is fitted to a number of Infiniti and Nissan vehicles as I've listed below. How do know if you need to replace your rocker cover gaskets? Easy, there will either be oil leaking around the gasket surface to the outside which will eventually find its way to your driveway or garage floor, or there will be oil pooling in one or more of your spark plug wells. In my case the oil was found in the #2 and #3 spark plug wells. Because the coil pack boots were impregnated with oil for several thousand miles I chose to replace them... all of them. It may not have been needed but they cost around a 100$ for a set of six off Amazon (link below) and I figured it was good insurance. Now I have 4 back-up coil packs in my parts bin.

Parts Needed:
Rocker Cover & Gaskets: http://a.co/h5LinIc
(this version has the oil filler neck that sits up high as in the G35 and possibly other vehicles with the VQ35 engine - make sure you order the correct part for your application)
Coil Packs: http://a.co/g9de7l7
RTV Silicone: http://a.co/8yh00T3

The VQ35DE is fitted to the following vehicles:

North American

2001–2004 Nissan Pathfinder- 240 hp (179 kW)
2013–2016 Nissan Pathfinder- 260 hp (194 kW) to 284 hp (212 kW)
2001–2003 Infiniti QX4- 240 hp (179 kW)
2001–2004 Infiniti I35- 255 hp (190 kW)
2002–present Nissan Altima- 240 hp (179 kW) to 270 hp (201 kW)
2002–present Nissan Maxima- 255 hp (190 kW) to 300 hp (224 kW)
2002–2006 Nissan 350Z- 287 hp (214 kW) to 300 hp (224 kW)
2002–2007 Infiniti G35 Coupe- 280 hp (209 kW) to 298 hp (222 kW)
2002–2006 Infiniti G35 Sedan- 260 hp (194 kW) to 298 hp (222 kW)
2002–2008 Infiniti FX35- 280 hp (209 kW)
2002–present Nissan Murano (Z50)- 240 hp (179 kW) to 265 hp (198 kW)
2003–2016 Nissan Quest- 235 hp (175 kW) to 260 hp (194 kW)
2004–2008 Infiniti M35- 275 hp (205 kW) to 280 hp (209 kW)
2012–2013 Infiniti JX35- 265 hp (198 kW)
2013–2016 Infiniti QX60- 265 hp (198 kW) to 295 hp (220 kW)
JDM and other markets

2000–present Nissan Elgrand 240 PS (180 kW; 240 hp)
2001–2007 Nissan Stagea 272 PS (200 kW; 268 hp) and above
2001–2009 Renault Vel Satis 241 PS (177 kW; 238 hp)
2002–2007 Nissan Skyline (V35) 272 PS (200 kW; 268 hp) and above
2003–present Nissan Teana/Cefiro (350JM-J31) 231 PS (170 kW; 228 hp)
2003–2009 Nissan Presage (231 hp)
2003–present Renault Espace 241 PS (177 kW; 238 hp)
2003–2004 Tatuus Formula V6, Formula Renault V6 Eurocup 370 hp (276 kW)
2004–2007 Nissan Fuga 350 GT 299.99 PS (220.64 kW; 295.89 hp)
2005–2006 Nismo Fairlady Z S-Tune GT 299.99 PS (220.64 kW; 295.89 hp) (VQ35DE S1 engine)
2005–2007 Dallara T05, World Series by Renault 425 PS (313 kW; 419 hp)
2006–present Renault Samsung SM7 217 PS (160 kW; 214 hp) (Neo VQ35)
2008–present Renault Laguna Coupé 241 PS (177 kW; 238 hp)
2008–2011 Dallara T08, World Series by Renault 425 PS (313 kW; 419 hp)
2010–present Renault Latitude 253 PS (186 kW; 250 hp)
2012–present Dallara T12, World Series by Renault 490 PS (360 kW; 480 hp)