Valve covor gasket removed and replaced
11-10-10, 06:08 PM
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Valve covor gasket removed and replaced
1995 Lexus LS400 97k miles
I was told about a month ago (when I got my oil changed) that I need my valve cover gasket removed and replaced. The parts I need are
2 valve covor gaskets
1 pcv valve
1 pcv valve grommet
Ive called around to a few shops and im being qouted between $300-350 for parts and labor.
The last place I just called told me to do it the right way and replace the seal washers on both banks, all spark plug tube seals and something to do with my intake platnium? Of course with a %10 discount because Im a teacher.
Thing that worries me is I just called him 20 mins before closing and he has room for me tomorrow morning (labor day) where other shops are booked for a few days..
Anybody have any insight on this?
PS being a teacher sucks when you have car issues...all shop are closed on my way to work and just about closed when I get home and closed on the weekends!!
Thanks in advance..
I was told about a month ago (when I got my oil changed) that I need my valve cover gasket removed and replaced. The parts I need are
2 valve covor gaskets
1 pcv valve
1 pcv valve grommet
Ive called around to a few shops and im being qouted between $300-350 for parts and labor.
The last place I just called told me to do it the right way and replace the seal washers on both banks, all spark plug tube seals and something to do with my intake platnium? Of course with a %10 discount because Im a teacher.
Thing that worries me is I just called him 20 mins before closing and he has room for me tomorrow morning (labor day) where other shops are booked for a few days..
Anybody have any insight on this?
PS being a teacher sucks when you have car issues...all shop are closed on my way to work and just about closed when I get home and closed on the weekends!!
Thanks in advance..
.
11-10-10, 06:46 PM
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11-10-10, 07:42 PM
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1995 Lexus LS400 97k miles
I was told about a month ago (when I got my oil changed) that I need my valve cover gasket removed and replaced. The parts I need are
2 valve covor gaskets
1 pcv valve
1 pcv valve grommet
Ive called around to a few shops and im being qouted between $300-350 for parts and labor.
The last place I just called told me to do it the right way and replace the seal washers on both banks, all spark plug tube seals and something to do with my intake platnium? Of course with a %10 discount because Im a teacher.
Thing that worries me is I just called him 20 mins before closing and he has room for me tomorrow morning (labor day) where other shops are booked for a few days..
Anybody have any insight on this?
PS being a teacher sucks when you have car issues...all shop are closed on my way to work and just about closed when I get home and closed on the weekends!!
Thanks in advance..
I was told about a month ago (when I got my oil changed) that I need my valve cover gasket removed and replaced. The parts I need are
2 valve covor gaskets
1 pcv valve
1 pcv valve grommet
Ive called around to a few shops and im being qouted between $300-350 for parts and labor.
The last place I just called told me to do it the right way and replace the seal washers on both banks, all spark plug tube seals and something to do with my intake platnium? Of course with a %10 discount because Im a teacher.
Thing that worries me is I just called him 20 mins before closing and he has room for me tomorrow morning (labor day) where other shops are booked for a few days..
Anybody have any insight on this?
PS being a teacher sucks when you have car issues...all shop are closed on my way to work and just about closed when I get home and closed on the weekends!!
Thanks in advance..
11-10-10, 09:22 PM
#6
First thing I'd do is to question whether the valve cover gaskets really need replacing. Was it that you got an oil change and someone noticed a leak and pulled that out of the air, or did they really see where the leak was coming from?
PCV valve and grommet are cheap and can be replaced by you (I guarantee it) for < $20. See instructions at
http://www.lexls.com/tutorials/emission/pcv_valve.html
Good luck.
PCV valve and grommet are cheap and can be replaced by you (I guarantee it) for < $20. See instructions at
http://www.lexls.com/tutorials/emission/pcv_valve.html
Good luck.
11-10-10, 11:20 PM
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First thing I'd do is to question whether the valve cover gaskets really need replacing. Was it that you got an oil change and someone noticed a leak and pulled that out of the air, or did they really see where the leak was coming from?
PCV valve and grommet are cheap and can be replaced by you (I guarantee it) for < $20. See instructions at
http://www.lexls.com/tutorials/emission/pcv_valve.html
Good luck.
PCV valve and grommet are cheap and can be replaced by you (I guarantee it) for < $20. See instructions at
http://www.lexls.com/tutorials/emission/pcv_valve.html
Good luck.
yeah I took my car in to get an oil change and the mechanic showed me where the oil was leaking from pressure. I know a little about cars but not enough to name each or most parts of the engine.
I know that one side valve cover gasket had a little standing oil and the other has a little dried up oil but it has looked like that forever and it has never been an issue. I love my car and dont know if this is something that NEEDS to be fixed or else...
I love working on my car usually with someone else who knows more but my hours are tough and weekends seem to be getting shorter but Ill take a look at the link you posted and go from there.
Thanks for the help, much appreciated.
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11-11-10, 03:12 AM
#8
Driver School Candidate
If your valve cover gaskets are leaking, there's a good chance your spark tube seals are leaking as well, and you might as well replace them while the valve covers are off. (oil sitting on top of the valve cover is most likely seeping past the tube seals, not the main cover gasket)
The PCV valve and grommet isn't too difficult to replace if it's not the original one. If it is the original, it's more difficult than it looks due to the grommet being rock hard. I had to use a hammer and a screwdriver as a chisel to get mine out, even with the valve cover off the engine.
The rest of the intake seals (intake plenum is what they were talking about) are generally reusable, though you can expect to have a few odd hoses that need to be replaced after they break during disassembly.
Honestly, if you're not getting significant oil leaking onto the ground, and only have a small amount pooling on one valve cover, it can wait. If you start seeing performance issues from oil leaking into the spark plug tubes it's probably something worth doing, just to keep your ignition components in good working order (not to mention potential lost fuel economy at 3$ a gallon).
A leaking valve cover, barring certain extreme scenarios, won't leave you stranded, so it's a pretty low priority repair if time/money is tight.
The PCV valve and grommet isn't too difficult to replace if it's not the original one. If it is the original, it's more difficult than it looks due to the grommet being rock hard. I had to use a hammer and a screwdriver as a chisel to get mine out, even with the valve cover off the engine.
The rest of the intake seals (intake plenum is what they were talking about) are generally reusable, though you can expect to have a few odd hoses that need to be replaced after they break during disassembly.
Honestly, if you're not getting significant oil leaking onto the ground, and only have a small amount pooling on one valve cover, it can wait. If you start seeing performance issues from oil leaking into the spark plug tubes it's probably something worth doing, just to keep your ignition components in good working order (not to mention potential lost fuel economy at 3$ a gallon).
A leaking valve cover, barring certain extreme scenarios, won't leave you stranded, so it's a pretty low priority repair if time/money is tight.
11-11-10, 09:47 AM
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If your valve cover gaskets are leaking, there's a good chance your spark tube seals are leaking as well, and you might as well replace them while the valve covers are off. (oil sitting on top of the valve cover is most likely seeping past the tube seals, not the main cover gasket)
The PCV valve and grommet isn't too difficult to replace if it's not the original one. If it is the original, it's more difficult than it looks due to the grommet being rock hard. I had to use a hammer and a screwdriver as a chisel to get mine out, even with the valve cover off the engine.
The rest of the intake seals (intake plenum is what they were talking about) are generally reusable, though you can expect to have a few odd hoses that need to be replaced after they break during disassembly.
Honestly, if you're not getting significant oil leaking onto the ground, and only have a small amount pooling on one valve cover, it can wait. If you start seeing performance issues from oil leaking into the spark plug tubes it's probably something worth doing, just to keep your ignition components in good working order (not to mention potential lost fuel economy at 3$ a gallon).
A leaking valve cover, barring certain extreme scenarios, won't leave you stranded, so it's a pretty low priority repair if time/money is tight.
The PCV valve and grommet isn't too difficult to replace if it's not the original one. If it is the original, it's more difficult than it looks due to the grommet being rock hard. I had to use a hammer and a screwdriver as a chisel to get mine out, even with the valve cover off the engine.
The rest of the intake seals (intake plenum is what they were talking about) are generally reusable, though you can expect to have a few odd hoses that need to be replaced after they break during disassembly.
Honestly, if you're not getting significant oil leaking onto the ground, and only have a small amount pooling on one valve cover, it can wait. If you start seeing performance issues from oil leaking into the spark plug tubes it's probably something worth doing, just to keep your ignition components in good working order (not to mention potential lost fuel economy at 3$ a gallon).
A leaking valve cover, barring certain extreme scenarios, won't leave you stranded, so it's a pretty low priority repair if time/money is tight.
There is no oil in my drivway so Im thinking its not too serious. I will check my oil once a week and make sure Im not loosing too much. Thanks for all the help.
11-11-10, 11:04 AM
#10
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I can see why you would mix those days up, being a teacher, ya just get too many days off and it's hard to keep track of them all. 
Just kiddin'
Anyway, I guess you didn't bring it in, (seeing the time of your last post) valve covers leaking is something you will have to change, if you think they are bad. They usually start leaking in the back, where you can't see it. You won't see it leaking on the ground b/c of the lower engine cover. The PCV valve grommet is hard to change with the valve cover on b/c if it's hard and brittle it will break and it WILL fall inside. Everything else he mentioned is pretty much preventive maintenance while the covers are off. My advice would be to get it done when you have time, no extreme rush on it.
Just kiddin'Anyway, I guess you didn't bring it in, (seeing the time of your last post) valve covers leaking is something you will have to change, if you think they are bad. They usually start leaking in the back, where you can't see it. You won't see it leaking on the ground b/c of the lower engine cover. The PCV valve grommet is hard to change with the valve cover on b/c if it's hard and brittle it will break and it WILL fall inside. Everything else he mentioned is pretty much preventive maintenance while the covers are off. My advice would be to get it done when you have time, no extreme rush on it.
11-11-10, 11:35 AM
#11
If your valve cover gaskets are leaking, there's a good chance your spark tube seals are leaking as well, and you might as well replace them while the valve covers are off. (oil sitting on top of the valve cover is most likely seeping past the tube seals, not the main cover gasket)
The PCV valve and grommet isn't too difficult to replace if it's not the original one. If it is the original, it's more difficult than it looks due to the grommet being rock hard. I had to use a hammer and a screwdriver as a chisel to get mine out, even with the valve cover off the engine.
The rest of the intake seals (intake plenum is what they were talking about) are generally reusable, though you can expect to have a few odd hoses that need to be replaced after they break during disassembly.
Honestly, if you're not getting significant oil leaking onto the ground, and only have a small amount pooling on one valve cover, it can wait. If you start seeing performance issues from oil leaking into the spark plug tubes it's probably something worth doing, just to keep your ignition components in good working order (not to mention potential lost fuel economy at 3$ a gallon).
A leaking valve cover, barring certain extreme scenarios, won't leave you stranded, so it's a pretty low priority repair if time/money is tight.
The PCV valve and grommet isn't too difficult to replace if it's not the original one. If it is the original, it's more difficult than it looks due to the grommet being rock hard. I had to use a hammer and a screwdriver as a chisel to get mine out, even with the valve cover off the engine.
The rest of the intake seals (intake plenum is what they were talking about) are generally reusable, though you can expect to have a few odd hoses that need to be replaced after they break during disassembly.
Honestly, if you're not getting significant oil leaking onto the ground, and only have a small amount pooling on one valve cover, it can wait. If you start seeing performance issues from oil leaking into the spark plug tubes it's probably something worth doing, just to keep your ignition components in good working order (not to mention potential lost fuel economy at 3$ a gallon).
A leaking valve cover, barring certain extreme scenarios, won't leave you stranded, so it's a pretty low priority repair if time/money is tight.
Good reply.
11-11-10, 12:11 PM
#12
hg set on ebay is like $80, pcv grommet is like $3 at autozone, and pcv valve at most needs cleaned out with a can of brake parts cleaner. $3. to change the valve cover gaskets, spark plug tube seals, and bolt grommets, shouldnt take more then 2hrs tops. 3 if your a total noob. nothing really complex has to be removed to take the valve covers off. hardest thing is the tb for the passenger side valve cover. and he prolly meant a new tb gasket. the plenum doesnt need removed to change the valve cover gaskets. might want to change the plugs($3 each for ngk platinum's) while you have the covers and stuff off though. if you were local id say buy the parts and id do it for $100. thats less then $200 total.
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