When it comes to sealing an engine, the gasket is the hardworking soldier that takes a tremendous amount of abuse but is typically never recognized for its effort. One important gasket that keeps cylinder head hardware protected from the elements and keeps oil from escaping your motor is the valve cover gasket. Most valve cover gaskets are made from rubber or cork and are used as a seal between the cylinder head and the valve cover itself.
Although the valve cover gasket is well protected from the top and bottom, it is very delicate and prone to damage from the sides. Over a period of time the valve cover gasket will start to go bad. It becomes brittle and will crack due to exposure to dirt, debris, heat and other elements. When this occurs, the gasket can lose its integrity and leak, potentially causing cosmetic issues like leaking oil, or drivability problems and reduced engine performance. If not replaced by an ASE certified mechanic in time, a bad valve cover gasket can lead to complete engine failure.
There are a few common symptoms that will indicate a potential problem with a bad or failing valve cover gasket. If you recognize any of these warning signs, contact a mechanic as soon as possible so they can replace the valve cover gasket if needed.
1. Dirty Valve Cover and Oil Leaking
The second symptom of a valve cover gasket is if it’s dirty or visibly leaking oil. During most oil changes, the technician will inspect the valve cover to see if there is any leaking oil coming from the valve cover gasket. The quickest indication of this problem is when the valve cover/cylinder head is very dirty. Oil collects dirt and debris under the hood and will appear to be "caked" on the valve cover or cylinder head. If you have the oil changed, or look under your hood and discover that the valve cover is dirty, it's most likely caused by a bad valve cover gasket.
2. Burning Oil Smell
The first common symptom of a valve cover gasket leak is the smell of burning oil. When a valve cover gasket is pinched, worn out or cracked, compressed oil from underneath the valve cover will find a way to escape. When this happens while the engine is running, the excess oil will drip on the cylinder head, fuel intake or in some cases, the exhaust pipes. These are all hot components that will burn the oil and produce a burning oil smell that is easily recognizable. If you smell burning oil, contact a professional mechanic so they can properly diagnose the cause of the oil leak and fix the problem.
3. Low Engine Oil
Another sign of a bad valve cover gasket is if the engine is low on oil. As oil leaks from the valve cover gasket, it leaves the oil pan. When this happens frequently, it can cause the Engine Oil Light to appear on your dashboard. If the engine oil is low, it will reduce its ability to properly lubricate internal engine components. This can build up excessive heat inside the motor and cause serious engine damage. If you notice the Engine Oil Light is illuminated at any time, don't delay repair or assume it will turn off on its own. Contact a qualified mechanic to diagnose the problem and repair what is causing the oil leak.
4. Rough or Misfiring Engine
The final symptom of a bad valve cover gasket is when the engine is running rough or starts to misfire. Sometimes when oil leaks from a valve cover gasket it leaks all the way down to the spark plug well and eventually seeps inside the spark plug tubes. This will cause a misfireor reduce engine performance. It can also cause a fire under your hood if it goes unrepaired.
If the leak is bad enough it can cause a vacuum leak, which will cause numerous issues with your engine, especially if it is a forced induction engine with a turbo or supercharger.
In all of the above scenarios or warning signs, the root issue is typically caused by a valve cover gasket that has broken, is pinched, is leaking, or has been improperly applied if new. When you notice these symptoms, contact a mobile mechanic from YourMechanic to diagnose the problem and replace the bad valve cover gasket correctly.
