What causes valve cover gaskets to fail?
All valve cover gaskets are prone to leaks over time, but a variety of factors can also play a significant role in degrading the structural integrity of such gaskets. Most of these are, at least in part, maintenance related.
1) Infrequent oil changes
Perhaps the biggest cause of premature valve cover gasket failure is infrequent engine maintenance. New engine oil that is changed regularly contains many additives designed to prevent deterioration of the seals. Over time, these additives begin to dissolve, resulting in faster wear and deterioration of the engine’s valve cover gaskets. This often occurs when routine maintenance is neglected for an extended period of time.
2) Overheating
Another major cause of valve cover gasket failure is overheating. All engines are designed to operate at a specified temperature. Exceeding this specified value, such as in the case of overheating, places thermal stress on the engine seals, increasing the risk of cracking and explosion.
Overheating not only puts stress on engine valve cover gaskets, but also compromises the integrity of other important seals such as: B. Head gasket. It is not uncommon to find multiple gasket defects on a single engine if the engine is severely overheating.
3) Overtightening/Undertightening of Valve Cover Bolts
In addition, if engine valve cover bolts are not properly torqued upon installation, previously replaced valve cover gaskets often begin to leak after a short time.
Overtightening these screws can cause the seal to be improperly seated or the sealing surfaces to become jammed or flattened. On the other hand, undertightening these screws often results in a lack of proper seals being formed between the individual metal surfaces. Is a leaking valve cover gasket a serious problem?
In most cases, a leaking valve cover gasket is not considered a serious problem. This is especially true for small leaks that do not significantly contaminate the exterior of the engine. Generally, a leaking valve cover gasket is only considered a serious problem if it is severe enough to cause significant oil loss.
Additionally, a leaking valve cover gasket that causes a misfire is also a concern. This occurs when oil from a leak gets into the spark plug well and contaminates the spark plug electrodes and insulators.
In either case, we recommend replacing a leaking valve cover gasket in a timely manner. This type of leak will only get worse and eventually reach a similar severity level as above. Being proactive with repairs like this will help minimize the chance of any driving related symptoms occurring.
How long should a seal last? The lifespan of an engine’s valve cover gasket depends heavily on several factors. These factors include the brand of engine in question, the frequency of standard engine maintenance, and the driver’s driving habits.
Some OEM seals are inherently more durable than others, resulting in a longer lifespan. Additionally, valve cover gaskets on well-maintained engines will almost always be more durable than those that have been neglected.
