Q: Cost of a leaky engine valve

asked by on June 07, 2016

How much should it cost to repair a leaking valve, and is a leaky valve a sign of a larger problem? This is for a car I'm thinking of buying. Following a pre purchase inspection, the auto shop estimated the repair at $300. Is this accurate?

My car has 65000 miles.
My car has an automatic transmission.

The statements expressed above are only for informational purposes and should be independently verified. Please see our terms of service for more details

Get an instant quote for your car

Our certified mechanics come to you ・Backed by 12-month, 12,000-mile guarantee・Fair and transparent pricing


Experienced Mechanic?

Earn up to $70/hr

What others are asking

What do the Shift position indicators mean?
The shifter in your vehicle has six positions: P, R, N, D, 2, and 1. When the shifter is set to any of these positions, the corresponding light will illuminate. Here’s what each position means: 1. P is Park. When...
Steering wheel wobbles when driving at slow speeds
The issue you are describing sounds like a bad tire. As weird as it sounds, sometimes problems with tires are more noticeable at low speeds. When you get the tires replaced, be sure to have them checked if the wheels...
When engine is cold it studders and misses but when warm it runs juss fine no codes and engine light isnt on why is this happening
When an engine is cold it will need more fuel to run correctly. I would recommend having the fuel injection system cleaned (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/flush-fuel-injector) to see if it helps to run better. If the flush does not work then a scan...
Fuse continually blows when A/C is turned on
Hello there. This is a common issue with the Suzuki Vitara. There are a few different faults that could cause the fuse to blow repeatedly and the AC not to function. When a fuse repeatedly blows (https://www.yourmechanic.com/article/signs-your-car-has-a-blown-fuse), this is typically...
The "hold" light keeps popping up on its own and it causes the car not to get out of third gear.
Try holding down the "HOLD" button for about 5 seconds and this should correct the problem. If it does not, you may have a computer issue that will require diagnosing with a scanning tool. In this case I would recommend...
Do I need to buy an Entire Valve Cover, or Just Replace the Gasket? There is some caked up oil around the Valve Cover.
Typically, valve covers are re-usable as long as the covers are not bent, dented, distorted, cracked, or otherwise leaky. The best practice is to thoroughly clean the cover so that you can carefully inspect it. BEFORE removing the cover, try...
Check engine light when running heater.
Hello, thank you for writing in. Lets discuss the codes individually. The P1166 stands for the air/fuel ratio sensor giving you false readings. This may be due to a poor wiring connection, or a failing sensor. P1167 is telling you...
Trying to diagnose a po405 Low Signal circuit voltage to egr. Everything working fine but code will not go away??
Hi there. P0405 is an OBD-II generic code (https://www.yourmechanic.com/article/p0405-obd-ii-trouble-code-exhaust-gas-recirculation-sensor-circuit-a-low-by-jay-safford) that the engine control module (ECM) detected the engine exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) sensor has went below its specification range. A short to ground of the sensor input to the ECM....
My dashboard says car not in park but my shifter is in park position it won't start of course I have a 2014 fusion HELP
The first thing to check is the shift cable ends are good and then the shifter is moving the transmission lever. If it is moving back and forth and the cable ends are good then the problem is in the...

Related articles

A Buyer’s Guide to the 2012 Toyota 4Runner
The The 2012 Toyota 4Runner was made for people with an active lifestyle. Its design is made to be a light off road alternative to the Jeep Grand Cherokee and the Ford Explorer. Key Features The Toyota 4Runner has a...
2012 Toyota Highlander vs. 2012 Dodge Durango: Which One Should I Buy?
Sport Utility Vehicles (SUVs) are a fun class of vehicle: not only are they great for carpools and moving around friends and family, but you can also get them off-road and just get dirty and have fun with them. These...
The Best Used Cars to Buy If You're a Pizza Delivery Guy or Gal
If If you deliver pizzas, you want to be sure that your car is reliable and won’t break down. After all, you have hungry customers waiting, and you don’t want the pizza to get cold. You want low gas mileage,...