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Valve cover gasket repair at Route 66 Auto Repair in Upland stops the most common engine oil leak we see: oil seeping from the seal between the valve cover and the cylinder head. It often causes a burning smell when oil lands on the exhaust, and on many engines it lets oil into the spark plug wells, which causes misfires. We trace the leak, show you where it is, and replace the gasket and the seals that go with it.
What are the signs of a leaking valve cover gasket?
- Burning oil smell after a drive, worse on hot days
- Oil wetness along the top edge of the engine
- Light smoke from the engine bay at a stop
- Oil on spark plug threads or in the plug wells
- A misfire code on a cylinder that has oil in its well
How do we confirm the valve cover is the source?
Oil travels. A leak at the back of the valve cover can run down and look like a rear main seal or oil pan leak. We clean the area, run the engine and look for the highest wet spot, adding UV dye when the trail is unclear. We also check the PCV system, because excess crankcase pressure from a stuck valve can push oil past a gasket that is otherwise fine. Leaks lower on the engine are covered on our engine oil leak repair page.
If a spark plug well has oil in it, we clean it and check the coil boot, which oil can soften. See spark plug replacement if the plugs are due.
Our valve cover gasket process
Step 1: Trace the leak
Clean, run and inspect, with dye if needed, and photograph the leak point.
Step 2: Remove the cover
Coils, brackets and hoses come off, then the cover itself.
Step 3: Clean the surfaces
Old gasket material is removed without scratching the sealing faces.
Step 4: Install new seals
New gasket, tube seals and any required sealant at the corners go on.
Step 5: Torque and test
Bolts are torqued in sequence, then we run the engine, recheck and road-test.
What's included in valve cover gasket repair
Included on the work order
- 01Leak trace with photos
- 02New valve cover gasket
- 03New spark plug tube seals where fitted
- 04Plug well cleaning
- 05PCV valve check
- 06Engine bay degrease at the leak area
- 07Leak recheck and road test
Need-now or need-later?
Need now: call
- Oil dripping onto the exhaust manifold
- Oil in plug wells causing misfires
Need later: book
- Dry seepage that darkens the gasket edge with no drips
How pricing and timing work
Inline four-cylinder engines are often a short job. V6 engines with the rear cover under the intake manifold take much longer. We tell you which you have at the estimate. If the plastic cover itself is cracked or warped, see engine valve cover replacement. Same-day work happens when the board allows, so call before you drive over.
Aftercare
A little smoke for a day or two is residual oil burning off the exhaust. If the smell continues past that, come back and we will recheck.
Frequently asked questions
Is a valve cover gasket leak serious?
Usually not urgent, but oil on the exhaust can smoke and, in rare cases, ignite. Oil in the plug wells causes misfires. Those two situations should be fixed soon.
Why does my car smell like burning oil after driving?
The most common cause is a valve cover gasket dripping onto the hot exhaust. We confirm the source before replacing anything.
Should I replace spark plugs at the same time?
If they are due or oil-soaked, it often makes sense, since the coils are already off. We list it as a separate line so you can decide.