A valve cover is a just what it sounds like, a cover over the valves. Each cylinder in your vehicle’s engine has valves at the top to direct the flow of the incoming air and fuel mixture, contain the combustion process and release exhaust gases. The valves are kept closed by springs and opened at the correct time by the cam in your engine. To make sure the valves continue to operate properly for many miles, they need a continual supply of engine oil to lubricate and cool them. Engine oil is pumped from the oil pan up through the block into the head where the valves are located. This oil is contained around the valves and directed back down to the oil pan by the valve cover. If you have an inline engine, such as straight 4-cylinder engine, you will have one valve cover, but if you have a V6 or V8 engine, you will have 2 valve covers.
How do I know my valve cover is leaking?
Since the valve cover is on the top of the engine, a leak will create quite a mess. Oil can drip down covering the engine block, wires, hoses, spark plugs and other important engine components. Many times a leaking valve cover gasket will also be accompanied by a burning smell. As the oil leaks from the top of the engine down, it can flow onto the hot exhaust system causing the oil to smoke and burn. Not only is this unpleasant, but it can be very dangerous if you continue to operate your vehicle .
How do I replace valve cover gaskets?
Replacing a valve cover gasket can be a cumbersome job. They often are only attached by 4 to 8 bolts, but they usually require the removal of many other components such as the intake manifold, throttle body, spark plug wires and other hoses and wires. Also, once the valve cover is removed your engine’s lubrication system is exposed and open to contamination.
The majority of valve cover gasket leaks are simply due to the aging gasket material. Over time the material becomes hard and brittle and can draw away from the sealing surfaces allowing oil to leak. These seals do not need to be replaced, but simply restored. BlueDevil Oil Stop Leak is specially designed to restore the seal back to its original size and shape to prevent leaks. As you drive, BlueDevil Oil Stop Leak will absorb into the seal to soften and revitalize the gasket material, quickly sealing the leak.
BlueDevil Products can be found on Amazon.com or at AutoZone, Advance Auto Parts, O’Reilly Auto Parts, NAPA, and other major auto parts retailers.
8 responses to "How Do I Replace Valve Cover Gaskets?"
8 Comments
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My pontiac G6 has a valve cover leak that goes thru about two quarts of oil per every two weeks, i have not tried blue devil yet, they want 750.00 to fix the problem i do not have that amount of cash right now, is it true that the blue devil will stop or slow down this leak?? Please all comments are appriciated?????? Thank You, Tony from Michigan
Tony-
Yes, we recommend adding one bottle of the BlueDevil Oil Stop Leak. This product has worked for stopping valve cover leaks on numerous occasions.
-BDP
i have 2004 beetle that’s drastically losing oil but is not leaking or visibly burning. It loses almost all of its oil in nearly 2 days time. Will blue devil help with this problem?
Anthony-
Unfortunately, it sounds like the leak you have is much larger than what BlueDevil is intended to fix. We recommend taking it in to your mechanic to have the seal replaced.
-BDP
I have a 2006 Mazda 6S and it seems like it is leaking from the valve cover gasket located on the back of the V6 but on top of the engine according to the dye that I put inside the oil. Would your product help as the gasket is then tipped up?
Cyril-
Yes, the BlueDevil Oil Stop Leak will work to stop a leak coming from the valve cover gasket(s).
-BDP
i have a 2003 audi a6 and my mechanic said i would need to replace my valve cover gasket but its going to be costly on my part. after i drive my car for about 25-30 mins constantly my car makes an oil burning smell as well do you recommend using this blue devil oil stop leak?
thanks
Ahmad,
Thanks for your question about your A6. We would recommend you use BlueDevil Oil Stop Leak (available here: http://store.gobdp.com/oil-stop-leak-49499/) For this problem. Your valve cover gaskets should be able to be fixed use BlueDevil Oil Stop leak and it comes with our money back guarantee so if you have any problems just let us know!
-BD Auto Pro
I’ve replace my valve cover gasket and particularly the spark tube gaskets. Valve cover seems fine but I’m still getting oil in my spark tubes. Can your product help with this issue?
Shea,
Thanks for your question. BlueDevil Oil Stop Leak (available here: http://store.gobdp.com/oil-stop-leak-49499/) should help stop the leak into your spark plug tubes. When you installed the new gasket you should have carefully cleaned all the gasket and mating surfaces to make sure everything lined up properly and cleanly. You also need to be careful to tighten all the valve cover bolts or screws evenly and equally to make sure the gaskets seat and seal properly. It may be worth removing everyone one more time, cleaning it very well and tightening things uniformly.
Thanks again for your question!
-BD Auto Pro