Valve cover gasket

[dinoxor]

So I went to visit a dealership and they told me that my valve cover gasket needs replacing which will cost around $565 ;[
My question is... Is this something that I really need to spend my money on? because tats a lot of money for me.

I did a little search and found the following instruction to change it.

1. Take off the plastic cover that's held down by 2 allen bolt.
2. Take out the 3 spark plug wires and boots.
3. Just follow around the edge of the valve cover and unbolt all the bolts.
4. Pull off the valve cover and take out the old rubber gasket. Mine was old and crusty so parts of it fell off. Clean it well and put in new gasket.
5. Reverse the steps to put the valve cover back on.

however I'm no mechanic and have no idea what the heck these are when it comes to engines...
should I...
1) attempt to do this with some help from members posting up pictures?
2) give into the dealer's recommendation and pay $565
3) take it to a different mechanic to fix it
or 4) totally ignore it and check my oil level once in a while

keep in mind I do want to keep a healthy clean engine!

thanks!

[timefourfood]

i just got that replaced today for $280, independent mechanic, not dealership.
Parts:$80
Labor $200 Labor killed it.
Ask around, don't go to the dealership. I'm not mechanic savvy, so I paid.

[SleeperSolara]

It's not hard to replace the valve cover gasket.
Just look around the valve cover and see what would need to be taken off to get full access to the valve cover.

[dinoxor]

It's not hard to replace the valve cover gasket.
Just look around the valve cover and see what would need to be taken off to get full access to the valve cover.

sounds scary! haha i dont even know what the valve cover is :[

[SleeperSolara]

It's not hard to replace the valve cover gasket.
Just look around the valve cover and see what would need to be taken off to get full access to the valve cover.

sounds scary! haha i dont even know what the valve cover is :[

Really??
Wow man......

Here's a picture....


^^
Basically it sits below the coil packs.

[Eye8Pussies]

that really depends on if it's the front or the rear valve cover

the front is a cinch, the rear is a different story altogether

[Solorange]

My rear valve cover gasket leaked. That is where all the time is hense the dealership asking for alot of money. You will have to take the intake manifold off for the rear.

[crispone]

Based on your knowledge of mechanics and confidence in that arena, DON'T try this "fairly simple" procedure by yourself.



I would certainly check around or have someone you trust who KNOWS SOMEONE who is an honest, capable and fair mechanic to quote you the job, then do it for you.

Nobody should steer you into doing this task if you do not know what a valve cover is. (This isn't a criticism at all, it's THE appropriate advice that we should be providing you.)

Parts at around $100 and the labor. That's easily a 2~4 hour job depending, and at $50~$90 an hour in common rate range, you're looking at $100 at the max. low end (unlikely) and on up to $360 max. (also HIGH if not unlikely) at the higher end.

Even at the high end, you should be comfortably below $500 for this job!


$250~$350 is probably a common range for the job, and although I wouldn't want to pay that, I could see it as fair in the market for the job.



-crisp

[dinoxor]

thanks you guys!
haha I was looking at youtube videos and what not and ehh you're right crispone i'll admit defeat and will not be attempting to do this.
and thanks for all of your inputs!

however do you think this is an urgent issue that needs to be fixed right now and will benefit me in the long run?
or should I just wait it out and check my oil level once in a while until my wallet is comfortable to fix this issue.

[Eye8Pussies]

you can definitely wait as long as the oil isn't dripping so much that it burns up on your rear exhaust manifold or y-pipe and gets fumes into the cabin

it won't hurt anything as long as you keep an eye on the oil level

[TheGreenDutch]

yeah my rear one is leaking too so I just make sure to check the oil once in while to top her off a bit. I probably lose about a 8 oz between every oil change. not too bad. Just check your fluids and you'll be alright

[dinoxor]

weirdd it has been 3000 miles since my last oil change and i recently checked it but it was full....
I'm sure i know how to check my oil so I shouldn't be needing to worry too much right?

[crispone]

weirdd it has been 3000 miles since my last oil change and i recently checked it but it was full....
I'm sure i know how to check my oil so I shouldn't be needing to worry too much right?

A valve cover gasket that is "sweating" a bit won't necessarily "consume" much oil... and other than making a bit of MESSY on stuff, as well as potentially SMELLY if it gets on exhaust tubes, etc... it's NOT a fatal condition that should red-flag your vehicle.

Just keep up on checking your oil AND the degree of "soiling" taking place, and you should be okay. I highly recommend doing a thorough ENGINE CLEANING so you can better judge just how bad the leak is, and where exactly it's leaking from while you're at it.


G/L!



-crisp

[DSM_Lara]

Ahahaha.... Rear valve cover is leaking =( ... There goes my money. Anyone knows the part number for what is required?

[TheGreenDutch]

I need to put something over the seam to divert oil drip from hitting the exhaust. Is there any tape that would hold up to the heat anyone know of?