In short: NO. Engine is running rough and misfiring Sometimes when oil leaks from a valve cover gasket it leaks all the way down to the spark plug well and eventually seeps inside the spark plug tubes. This will cause a misfire or reduce engine performance.

The valve cover gasket sits between the engine and the valve cover and seals the oil inside. Time and many miles can dry out or crack the valve cover gasket. If the seal created by the valve cover and valve cover gasket loses its ability to contain all the oil flying around inside then oil will escape.

The valve cover gasket set is the complete set of gaskets required to create the working seal between the valve cover(s) and the cylinder head(s).

The average cost for valve cover gasket replacement is between $212 and $253. Labor costs are estimated between $157 and $198 while parts are priced at $55.

No, you don’t have to drain the oil to change the valve cover gaskets. That means BlueDevil Oil Stop Leak can act as a valve cover gasket sealer and stay in your engine oil until your next oil change and will not clog or harm your engine in any way.

Permatex High Tack is popular for gluing the gasket to the valve cover. This holds the gasket in place during installation and keeps it attached to the cover during later removal for valve adjustment or other work. Permatex Ultra Copper Silicone RTV also works well in this application.

The valve cover gasket is a thin strip of rubber or cork that creates a tight seal between the valve cover and the cylinder head. Because the gasket is delicate and prone to damage, continuous exposure to dirt, debris, and heat over time will cause it to become brittle and crack, losing its ability to prevent leaks.

There are no maintenance requirements for a valve cover gasket. It only needs to be replaced if it leaks. If the valve cover gasket is old, it’s also often replaced when doing a major engine repair.

When a spark plug well fills with oil, it means that the O-ring that seals the well to keep out oil and debris has deteriorated and started to leak. Although the leak can sometimes be fixed by tightening the valve cover bolts, more often than not the valve cover gasket and well seals will need to be replaced.

Oil in a spark plug well is a very serious problem that should be repaired as soon as possible. It can do extensive damage to the engine, such as broken or warped pistons and valves. Eventually, if not repaired, the head gasket can result in the fatal destruction of the engine.

Remove all of the spark plugs, and using a squirt can, shoot about a tablespoon of engine oil into each spark plug hole. Once this is completed, gently rotate the engine BY HAND a few times to help re-coat the cylinder walls with oil and to make sure it actually turns over and doesn’t have any other issues.