The valve cover gasket is leaking

Tiny
PAM PERRY
  • MEMBER
  • 2007 SUZUKI RENO
  • 120,000 MILES
The valve cover gasket is leaking. How har is this to change?How much?And should I be using a synthetic oil in it?
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Thursday, November 15th, 2012 AT 8:54 PM

5 Replies

Tiny
KHLOW2008
  • MECHANIC
  • 41,815 POSTS
Valve cover gaskets are a remove and reinstall job so there is nothing hard about it. Whatever that is blocking access should be removed.

How much depends on where you are and who is doing the job so we are in no position to be able to provide the correct estimate. You need to enquire locally.

Synthetic oil? Why waste the money if you are asking me.
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Sunday, November 18th, 2012 AT 6:05 PM
Tiny
PAM PERRY
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  • 2 POSTS
Thanks, for your help!The dealership told my son to use only synthetic fluids in a suzuki.I told him I was keepin it with oil that was put in when new. Thank again:)
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Monday, November 19th, 2012 AT 1:39 AM
Tiny
KHLOW2008
  • MECHANIC
  • 41,815 POSTS
You're welcome.

I have never believed in synthetic oils for the average user and unless you are a performance driver or clocks up high mileages, you need not consider about it. Furthermore they should be used from early stages of the engine and not when it has 120k miles on the odometer.
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Monday, November 19th, 2012 AT 7:16 PM
Tiny
JIMMYHENSON
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
Just changed this exact gasket today. First thing you have to do is remove the access cover to expose the Spark plug wires. There are 2 allen head screws that have to be removed. Next you need to remove the spark plug wires. They are numbered and have pull tabs on the spark plug end. DO NOT remove them from the coil pack. You can then swing the wires back out of the way. Next you need to remove the valve cover bolts. These require a "special" socket. It is basically a reverse torx head. You can buy the individual sockets at advance auto and probably other auto parts stores. Next remove the wiring harness from the camshaft position sensor. It has a locking clip on it that has to be pushed toward the front of the camshaft side of the engine then can be lifted straight out. Last you need to unclip the Timing belt front cover from the valve cover. There is also a small hose attached to the valve cover at the cam gears end. It will need to be pulled out of the way to remove the valve cover. Now you can remove the valve cover by lifting up and away from the timing belt cover. It is a bit of a tight fit but you should be able to lift it out without too much effort. When you remove the gasket from the cover, do not forget that there are o-rings around each bolt hole (on the inside of the valve cover). These o-rings look just like the valve cover material. If you are not looking closely you will not notice them. Install the new gasket and o-rings and put it all back together.
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Sunday, April 7th, 2013 AT 4:21 AM
Tiny
KHLOW2008
  • MECHANIC
  • 41,815 POSTS
Thanks for the input
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Sunday, April 7th, 2013 AT 4:25 PM

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