Q: If I change one valve cover and gasket do I need to do the other?

asked by on November 18, 2016

If I change one valve cover and gasket do I need to do it to the other side as well?

My car has 100000 miles.
My car has an automatic transmission.

Oil/Fluid Leak Inspection $94.99 - $114.99 Get a Quote
Valve Cover Gasket Replacement $116.41 - $1190.97 Get a Quote

You do not have to change both valve cover gaskets at the same time. If you have an engine oil leak that is coming from both valve covers then it would be recommended that you have both valve cover gaskets replaced at the same time to stop oil leaks and prevent repeating work at a later time to do the other valve cover. If you feel you cannot do the work then have a mechanic like one from YourMechanic come to you and perform the repairs to both valve covers.

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

How do I correctly position the floor mats?
Your car’s floor mats serve an important purpose – they help preserve the carpet and floorboards. However, they need to be correctly positioned to ensure that they don’t become dangers while driving. Here’s what you need to know: Make sure...
Sounds like a belt is loose
Depending on the engine that is in your particular vehicle, you might not have a timing belt but a chain. Timing belts don't really make noises associated with lose belts. If a timing belt is loose the engine will jump...
Electronics not working after leak
Depending on the severity of the leak that your vehicle had can help determine how much damage occurred from the leak. If any of the wiring was exposed to the water from the leak it could have caused corrosion or...
Engine shudders when not moving, check engine light on - 2003 Toyota Echo 1.5 L 4-cylinder
ANY time a Check Engine Light (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/check-engine-light-is-on-inspection) comes on, the first thing you need to do is get the computer scanned. Autozone or advance will actually do this for free so you don't have to purchase anything. Shuddering could be...
Truck won't move while in gear
Hello and thank you for your question. The problem could be 3 different things wrong with your truck. First, look at the brake system to ensure that the brakes are not engaging when you put the vehicle in gear. If...
Shake when accelerating
Hi there: Based on your input, there are a few items that you might want to have inspected by a professional mobile mechanic to determine what's causing this shaking issue. First would be the tires and wheels for balance. Usually...
I try to put my car into gear, but it won't allow me. I can put it into reverse & 3rd gear, but it grinds immediate as I do. 2000 Toyota Celica
Hi there - the brake and clutch hydraulics share the same fluid reservoir, so if the reservoir is at the correct level - low fluid is not your clutch problem. This could be a failure of the pilot bearing as...
How will I know if it's my valve timing control? Will this mess with my vehicle wanting to start also?
Hi there. The valve timing controls are pressurized and operated electronically and engine oil pressure. First perform an oil change with a new filter to ensure a good clean engine. If the timing is still not right and the engine...
My 2004 hyundai santa fe jerks and shutters under heavy acceleration/ under load. How can I fix it?
Drive line joints are easily checked but, based on your description, the operating condition of the engine itself might be a issue. Poor or uneven acceleration can be caused by faults in the throttle position sensor (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/throttle-position-sensor-replacement), mass airflow sensor...

Related articles

A Buyer’s Guide to the 2012 Ford Focus Electric
In In 2012, the Ford Focus Electric model went a step farther than other eco-friendly cars. Instead of creating another hybrid model, Ford chose to offer a fully electric vehicle with a very impressive range of 76 city miles and...
The Best Used Cars to Buy If You Just Retired
Here’s Here’s a cruel, hard fact – car manufacturers no longer target seniors. Instead, they devote their time and energy to appealing to the 18-45 demographic. Still, some features make certain cars more suitable for older drivers. We have evaluated...
How Long Does an Oil Cooler Adapter Gasket Last?
There There are a number of gaskets on an engine and each of them performs a specific purpose. For most car owners, their gaskets are not something that they think about until one of them begins to malfunction. Most of...