Symptoms of a Bad Valve Cover Gasket

With repeated exposure to heat, dirt and debris, the valve cover gasket can become brittle, crack, and suffer from compression set leading to gasket failure. The gasket material may become saturated and leak in older applications. Symptoms of a failing valve cover gasket include:

• Dirty valve cover – evidence of leaking oil
• Engine low on oil
• Burnt oil smell (leakage onto exhaust manifolds)
• Rough running engine/misfires (leaking spark plug tube seals)
• Engine oil stains on the ground

Checking for Valve Cover Leaks

If there is an abundance of dirt and grime around the valve cover/cylinder head area, use some degreaser to clean the area so you can see the bare metal near the valve cover/cylinder head joint. Check the area after running the engine for a bit and you’ll be able to see if the valve cover is leaking.

Why Do Valve Cover Gaskets Fail?

Valve covers are typically made of stamped steel, lightweight aluminum or magnesium and may warp over time, so the sealing surface that mates with the cylinder head is no longer flat, creating oil leaks. The lightweight material can be deformed by excessive torque on the fasteners holding it in place. Overtightening the valve cover fasteners may crush the gasket and damage the valve cover creating further leakage. Rubber gaskets may develop a compression set over time and will no longer be able to effectively seal the joint between the cover and head. Older applications using cork-rubber gaskets may develop compression set or become saturated over time again leaking onto the cylinder heads.

How to Install Fel-Pro Gaskets – Clean and Dry

Fel-Pro valve cover gaskets are designed specifically for the repair environment to help seal imperfect sealing surfaces and no additional sealers are needed. Fel-Pro's premium materials compensate for surface imperfections and provide the proper amount of torque retention. Some valve cover installations may require the use of RTV at cam joint corners (90-degree corners) or where there are other castings (intake manifold, cam plugs) that meet the valve cover. Always consult the product instructions (where applicable) for sealing requirements prior to installation. Other installation tips include:

• Check valve cover for straightness before installing.
• Push Press-in-Place (PIP) gaskets straight down into the groove. Don’t push and slide your fingers along the gasket, you’ll end up with “leftover” gasket material.
• Always replace rubber grommets (if present) to ensure proper loading and sealing of the valve cover.