Replace the leaking valve cover gasket on a 4-cylinder engine in less than an hour
Introduction
Replace a leaky gasket cover on a 4-cylinder engine easily and in less than an hour for less than $25. We show you how to do it, step-by-step.
If you have oil near the top of your engine, it could be coming from a leaky valve cover gasket. Sounds serious, but don’t fret. Chances are you can actually replace it in less than an hour, for less than $25.
“Often, it is a fairly easy job with not much to remove to gain access to it,” says Chris “Moose” Pyle, and automotive expert with JustAnswer. “You will need minimal tools to complete this job. Also, it allows you to see inside the engine to detect potential concerns with your oil maintenance practices.”
Before getting started, make sure to let the engine fully cool off. It’s also a good idea to have a manual for your vehicle on hand, which details the correct steps and torque specs.
If your valve cover gasket is leaking, here’s how to replace it, step-by-step.
What Happens if My Valve Cover Gasket is Leaking?
On a V-type engine, the leaking oil usually just drips down the side of the engine (and onto your driveway) and turns into black muck. But on a four-cylinder engine, it can actually leak into the spark plug tubes and cause misfires. Replacing the gaskets on a V-type engine is a job for the pros. But the valve cover gasket replacement cost on a four-cylinder engine is less than $25 and can be done in about an hour.
Tools Required
- Plastic putty knife
- Rubber mallet
- Socket/ratchet set
- Torque wrench
Materials Required
- Brake cleaner
- Valve cover gasket kit
- Vulcanizing (RTV) sealant
Project step-by-step (3)
Step 1
Remove the Leaky Valve Gasket Cover
Start the job by removing the decorative plastic cover on the top of the engine (if equipped). Remove the bolts and tap around the valve cover with a soft-faced mallet to break it loose. Never pry with metal tools—they can gouge the aluminum cylinder head and cause permanent leaks. Next, remove (and label) any hoses, cables and electrical connectors that attach to the valve cover. Then, remove the spark plugs (these are the tools you’ll need).
If you see any oil pooling in the spark plug tubes, clean it out with a rag wrapped around a screwdriver. Get out as much gunk as you can and then remove and, if necessary, replace the spark plugs with new ones before proceeding. Once the new plugs are in, remove the valve cover hold-down bolts, noting the length and location of each bolt. Then break the valve cover loose and lift it off the engine.
At this juncture, it’s critical to make sure nothing falls into the engine, like dirt, debris or a leftover rag. “So use compressed air to blow off and around the engine before beginning,” says Pyle. “Also, store your tools elsewhere, not on top of the engine, and have a magnetic bowl for nuts and bolts that you remove and label wires and hoses so you can easily recall where they go.”
Step 2
Replace the Old Gasket
Peel off the old gasket and clean the valve cover with brake cleaner and clean rags. Next, clean the gasket mating surfaces on the engine. Use the plastic putty knife (never metal) to remove any traces of old RTV from the timing belt cover-to-cylinder head. Catch the old RTV with a rag so it doesn’t fall into the engine. Once the cover and mating surfaces are clean and dry, apply new RTV in the same locations and install the new gasket. Valve cover gaskets are designed to seal “dry,” so don’t apply sealant to the face of the gasket.
Finish off the job by snugging up the valve cover bolts to the torque specifications in your shop manual. Keep in mind that valve cover bolt specs are usually shown in inch/lbs., not foot/ lbs. To convert inch/lbs. to foot/lbs., simply divide by 12.
Reinstall all the cables, hoses, ignition components and electrical connectors and fire it up.
Step 3
Adding Silicone Sealant
When my dad and I were changing the spark plugs on my Saturn, we noticed oil leaking around them. My dad said it was from a leaky valve cover gasket. A valve cover gasket cost $20 and we had it installed in about 20 minutes—it was really easy.
But a few weeks later it was leaking again. We didn’t know we had to smear silicone sealant over the timing cover joint. We redid the whole job, including the goop step this time, and it’s been leak-free ever since.
The best part is, I figure I saved about $100 on valve cover gasket replacement cost! Morgan Larson
FAQs
Do I need to use any sealant with the new gasket?
It depends on the type of gasket you’re installing. Some use sealant, while others seal via cork, felt, paper or rubber gaskets. Some are also reusable.
“You’ll generally know if your engine’s gasket needs sealant based off the manufacturer recommendations outlined in your owner’s manual, but there are exceptions,” says Duane “Doc” Watson, a technical trainer at Bosch Mobility Aftermarket. “An uneven surface on your valve cover or engine is one such case where you might need some extra reinforcement to seal the gasket in place.”
What if I still have leaks after replacing the gasket?
It could just be that you installed it incorrectly, or the leak was not actually coming from your valve cover in the first place. Or, it could be the sign of a more serious problem, like a cracked or warped valve cover.
“A good step is to spray brake cleaner to remove the oil from the engine well, leaving a dry surface,” says Pyle. “You can then go test drive for a while, then reinspect it to see exactly where the leaks are originating from.”
About the Experts
- Chris “Moose” Pyle is a master-certified technician with 20-plus years of automotive experience. He has also worked as an expert for JustAnswer since 2006, where he answers hundreds of car maintenance and repair questions a day.
- Duane “Doc” Watson is a technical trainer at Bosch Mobility Aftermarket. He has more than 45 years of experience in automotive repair, has trained thousands of technicians and earned many industry awards, including Chevrolet Technician of the Year and Buick Service Master of the Year.
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