Valve Cover/Gaskets - Cost Effective Fix?

[CravingBavaria]

I know there are threads on this, but wanted to gather up thoughts in one place. No oil leaking onto the floor yet, but I want to get this addressed soon.

I'm not trying to "cheap out" on the car by not doing an entire valve cover replacement, I just think it's unnecessary for me to do on a car I'll be driving 3k-5k miles a year and will probably never have to deal with the valve covers leaking again during my ownership once I have it taken care of.

I got quoted over $2k from one of my go-to mechanics as he wouldn't do just the gasket. So no, entire valve cover replacement being more expensive than RB's is not in my plans and seems stupid.

Just the gaskets are a possibility of course, but have read that it will just happen again. Would this be a "time" or a "use" thing? If in 2 years it's leaking again, maybe I screwed up.

Also have read sandblasting which seems to work pretty well as the in between just doing gaskets, and replacing them entirely? Might even work better since replacing them will leave the same issue down the line (again, not my problem since I don't see my putting another 70k miles on my car)

[pbonsalb]

I simply replaced the gaskets with new OEM. I did use sealant and dressing. You don’t need to replace your valve covers unless they are warped or you can’t stand how they look or are worried the flaking factory coating inside will cause problems (I don’t think it will). I can understand that some shops would not want to warranty the seal on used valve covers, but I don’t use shops so it’s just my labor if I have to do a job twice.

[CravingBavaria]

Originally Posted by pbonsalb

I simply replaced the gaskets with new OEM. I did use sealant and dressing. You don’t need to replace your valve covers unless they are warped or you can’t stand how they look or are worried the flaking factory coating inside will cause problems (I don’t think it will). I can understand that some shops would not want to warranty the seal on used valve covers, but I don’t use shops so it’s just my labor if I have to do a job twice.

The warranty is definitely why I was quoted that way, understandable, but I do have other connections that will do what I ask them to so no worries. How did you go about "tidying" them up appearance wise? Thanks!

[pbonsalb]

I did not tidy mine up. I am more of a function than a cosmetics person. If I was going to spend more money, it probably would have been on media blasting the underside. Others blast the outside and powder coat in the color of their choice. Some blast both sides but I have not read of a replacement coating for the underside.

[CravingBavaria]

Originally Posted by pbonsalb

I did not tidy mine up. I am more of a function than a cosmetics person. If I was going to spend more money, it probably would have been on media blasting the underside. Others blast the outside and powder coat in the color of their choice. Some blast both sides but I have not read of a replacement coating for the underside.

Mine don't look terrible, and with these at least I'm more function as well. I think it's just wanting them cleaned up so I can easily tell if they start sweating again.

[amrazM]

clean the channels, put new gaskets in, change the front timing cover and make sure the covers are true

[Vuu]

Did my own replacement with zero leaks!

Funfzhen in Orange also quoted me $1100-ish to replace both valve covers + gaskets.

Idk if they're still charging the same though.

[Tommysalami]

Originally Posted by Vuu

Did my own replacement with zero leaks!

Funfzhen in Orange also quoted me $1100-ish to replace both valve covers + gaskets.

Idk if they're still charging the same though.

How's that possible? The valve covers themselves are at least 1k

[Vuu]

Originally Posted by Tommysalami

How's that possible? The valve covers themselves are at least 1k

Don't shoot the messenger. The quote shocked me as well.

[BPMSport]

We just did VC replacements on two cars and $1100 doesn't even cover the cost of parts. That's an insane deal

[Vuu]

Originally Posted by BPMSport

We just did VC replacements on two cars and $1100 doesn't even cover the cost of parts. That's an insane deal

I should have taken the deal on the spot, but my leak wasn't enough to concern me at the time lol.

After replacing my own VC gaskets + the necessary hardware, I would have paid to save time.

[Bubbles]

Originally Posted by BPMSport

We just did VC replacements on two cars and $1100 doesn't even cover the cost of parts. That's an insane deal

Agreed, did they fall off the truck?