In the automotive industry, valve cover gaskets have a vital job in preventing oil from escaping the engine as they provide a high-performing sealing solution between the engine and the valve cover.
As you may be aware from some of our previous posts and from working with us, there is a range of gasket material types available, and valve cover gaskets are no exception, with the most common materials being rubber, plastic, or cork.
However, due to the placement of these gaskets and their exposure to oils and chemicals, they can wear over time and will need replacing as soon as this happens.
What is a valve cover gasket?
A valve cover gasket is a gasket that is placed between a vehicle’s engine and the valve cover to help keep the oil inside the engine body.
The cover valve gasket protects a cylinder head from the elements and prevents oil from escaping. It is designed to provide a high-performing seal, making it an essential motor component.
Unfortunately, oil is acidic, so it can slowly eat away at rubber seals, causing the seal to fail and leaks to occur.
When this happens, you can’t afford to ignore it for too long, as it will start to damage the engine and cost you more.
What happens when oil gets into the engine?
If oil escapes into the vehicle’s engine, reaching the space between the cylinder and pistons, the components in this area may experience friction and an increase in wear and tear, placing more pressure and stress on the engine.
When a leaking valve cover and spiral wound gasket is apparent, it must be replaced immediately.
Signs your valve cover gasket may have sprung a leak:
Engine oil is low – if your oil engine light keeps coming on, this could be a sign there is a leak. This can result in friction and the engine overheating, leading to engine failure.
Engine misfiring/rough running engine – look for the engine not running smoothly and potential performance issues while driving. In addition, if oil reaches the spark plugs, it can cause potential misfires.
Smell of burning oil – if oil reaches the cylinder load or fuel intake, it can cause a burning oil smell, and you may experience excessive smoke coming from the exhaust.
A dirty or oily valve cover – when you carry out your regular engine maintenance checks and the valve cover gasket appears to have oil on it, it’s time to replace it.
Check out our post on “Everything to know about Hypalon Gaskets” to find out more about this type of gasket, its uses, and its advantages.
How to replace a valve gasket cover
Ideally, valve gasket covers should be removed and replaced by professionals as other automotive components may need to be moved to access the gasket valve.
The steps of how to replace a valve cover include:
Tighten the valve cover. This might seem obvious; however, it’s important to carry regular maintenance checks as valve covers can loosen due to engine vibrations. Be sure to tighten with a torque wrench, and don’t overtighten.
Let the engine cool. Engines heat to varying degrees, and before checking spiral wound gaskets, you must let the engine cool to avoid burning. You must also consult the owner’s manual to see how to remove the valve cover. Note: For turbocharged vehicles, you may need to remove the plumbing first, i.e., PCV hoses, spark plug brackets, throttle cables, etc.
Remove the valve cover gasket – if the cover is stuck, you can give it a little tap with a mallet (rubber) to loosen it. Remove the bolts from the cover and lift them carefully, keeping them away from other components. Ensure you don’t drop any tools in the internal components of the engine, causing further damage and issues.
Remove and replace the old gasket – avoid using a metal object to remove and replace the gasket, as these can sometimes create grooves or nicks in the gasket, which can lead to another leak.
Apply a sealant (if required), and make sure all surfaces are clean before this is applied.
Reinstall the valve cover – carefully replace and tighten the cover bolts to the recommended torque to support the spiral wound gaskets.
Helping to provide a tight seal, valve cover gaskets are relatively inexpensive to replace and reasonably straightforward to change.
Spiral wound gasket manufacturing process
When choosing the right gasket for your application, determine the temperature the gasket will be exposed to, the environment, the media, and the pressure it will be placed within.
For valve covers, you will require a gasket that is chemically resistant and can still maintain its performance at high temperatures.
At SSP, we offer a large selection of quality replacement gaskets made from various materials such as silicone, cork, NBR, and Viton.
Excellent auto part components, our gaskets ooze quality and offer longevity, reliability, and high performance.
Contact us today to find out more.
