Is your car rough to ride and emitting a burnt smell?
That’s your valve cover gasket signaling you about its bitter end.
The valve cover gasket protects the cylinder head from contamination and prevents oil spills. When its time is up, you’ll notice engine misfires and odd sounds that will only disappear once you replace this seal.
But how much does a valve cover gasket replacement cost?
Let’s go over your expenses so you can prevent a complete engine failure. We’ll also examine the warning signs to identify a bad gasket and three culprits that degrade a new piece over time.
This Article Contains:
- How Much Does a Valve Cover Gasket Replacement Cost?
- Is It Worth Replacing the Valve Cover Gasket?
- 6 Looming Signs You Need a New Valve Cover Gasket
- How Long Does a Valve Cover Gasket Last?
- 3 Critical Reasons Your Valve Cover Gasket Fails
- Can You Replace a Leaking Valve Cover Gasket Yourself?
How Much Does a Valve Cover Gasket Replacement Cost?
Here’s a breakdown of your potential expenses for replacing a bad gasket:
A. Range
The cost to replace a faulty valve cover gasket typically ranges between $110 to $380. This estimate covers:
- Part costs: $10 to $80
- Labor costs: $100 to $300
B. Factors Affecting Cost
Your car’s make and model, as well as location, impact your final bill. Besides these, additional aspects that affect your cost include:
- Number of gaskets: Based on your engine’s design, the number of gaskets may vary. Cars like the BMW 535i with an inline engine have one gasket, while the Acura TL with a V6 engine has two. Replacing more than one gasket will increase parts cost.
- Gasket material: Valve cover gaskets are typically made of silicone, rubber, cork, non-asbestos fiber, graphite, paper, or polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE). Amongst these, silicone gaskets are the most expensive.
- Old gasket’s condition: When the gasket starts degrading, it dries out and hardens. Scrapping off this hardened gasket can be time-consuming, increasing labor costs.
- Additional expenses: During the gasket replacement, you may have to install a new valve cover and bolts. A valve cover costs between $30 and $150, while a set of bolts will be around $10 to $50. If the leaking gasket damages the spark plugs, you’ll have to spend an extra $50 to $750 to swap them out.
Is It Worth Replacing the Valve Cover Gasket?
Definitely!
When the valve cover gasket fails, motor oil can leak from the cylinder head onto surrounding engine parts, such as the exhaust manifold. This can result in visible oil stains, a burning oil smell, or a fire hazard.
Oil may also trickle inside the spark plug wells, causing your engine to misfire. Driving with a misfiring engine could cause further engine damage, leading to an expensive repair.
You may come across solutions, like tightening valve cover bolts or applying silicone sealant to strengthen the gasket’s seal. However, these temporary fixes won’t prolong your gasket’s lifespan. So, a replacement is the best option.
6 Looming Signs You Need a New Valve Cover Gasket
While the primary sign of a bad valve cover gasket is an oil leak, other symptoms include:
- An illuminated oil light: As the damaged gasket starts leaking oil, the fluid level dips below the required level, triggering the dashboard light.
- Rattling or knocking sounds from the engine: Without ample oil for lubrication, components like pistons and crankshafts generate excess friction, creating knocking or rattling sounds when you drive.
- Burning oil smell: When oil leaks over hot engine components, such as the exhaust lines, it can emit an acrid burning odor.
- Engine misfires: If the spark plug wells flood with oil, the engine will misfire and run roughly.
- Smoke emitting from under the hood: As the leaking oil drips over the hot exhaust manifold and burns, it produces smoke.
- A filthy valve cover: If your mechanic finds a dirty valve cover with brownish stains during a routine oil change, the gasket is surely worn out.
NOTE: A damaged head gasket can also cause an oil leak and misfire, similar to a faulty valve cover gasket. So it’s best to have a mechanic to diagnose the issue to avoid a misdiagnosis.
How Long Does a Valve Cover Gasket Last?
A valve cover gasket lasts for 20,000 to 50,000 miles. But it can last longer if you:
- Install a gasket made of good-quality silicone or PTFE.
- Get the oil level checked once a month to verify there are no leaks.
3 Critical Reasons Your Valve Cover Gasket Fails
A valve cover gasket may degrade faster due to:
- Improper installation: If the valve cover bolts are over-tightened, it can affect the gasket’s shape, making it fail.
- Engine temperature fluctuation: Your car’s temperature changes based on local weather and driving conditions. This fluctuating temperature makes the gasket shrink and expand periodically, causing it to crack or break.
- Dirt contamination: If you don’t change the engine oil often, it can get contaminated with grime, damaging the gasket and weakening its sealing ability.
Can You Replace a Leaking Valve Cover Gasket Yourself?
No, you shouldn’t.
Swapping out the old gasket requires technical knowledge and car repair experience. Without these, you may unknowingly damage the gasket or over-tighten the bolts, incurring additional repair expenses.
To avoid this hassle, you can request help from a mechanic. Here’s a brief rundown of what they’ll do:
- Park the vehicle.
- Let the engine cool down.
- Remove the engine cover, valve cover bolts, and PCV hose to access the valve cover.
- Use a rubber mallet to detach the valve cover.
- Remove the old gasket.
- Wipe off engine oil stains near the valve cover area.
- Install the new gasket and apply a silicone sealant.
- Reattach the valve cover and tighten the bolts as per the torque specifications.
- Reinstall the PCV hose and engine cover.
- Top-up or refill the motor oil up to the recommended level.
Keep Your Valve Cover Tightly Sealed with AutoNation Mobile Service
A valve cover gasket keeps your cylinder head from leaking oil and ensures your engine is in top condition. So, if there’s a valve cover gasket issue, you should address it immediately to prevent severe engine damage.
But if replacing the gasket seems daunting, AutoNation Mobile Service can help.
Our mechanics can scrape off the old gasket and install the new one swiftly. We provide a fair price estimate for all repairs and after-hours customer support. The best part — we also offer a 12-month, 12,000-mile repair warranty.
Get in touch to book a hassle-free valve cover gasket replacement service.