Oil on the exhaust manifold, a burning smell after parking, oil in the spark plug tubes: those are valve cover gaskets, one of the most common engine orders we take. Head gaskets and PCV valves are the other two gasket-related parts we quote every week, and each has a trap that turns a cheap part into a repeat job if it is skipped.
Valve cover gaskets
On most engines the gasket is sold as a set with the spark plug tube seals and grommets, and the set is what you want; replacing the perimeter gasket alone leaves the tube seals to leak oil onto the coils. Some engines, notably the Toyota 2.7 and Honda 3.5, are known for the valve cover itself warping or the PCV baffle failing, so the cover is sold as a complete unit with the gasket.
Head gaskets
A head gasket set includes the head gasket, the valve cover gasket, intake and exhaust manifold gaskets and the seals disturbed by the job. Head bolts are usually torque-to-yield and single-use; we include them on the quote. Symptoms are white exhaust, coolant loss with no visible leak, milky oil, or bubbles in the coolant reservoir. A head gasket failure on an aluminum engine often warps the head, so have the head checked before ordering.
PCV valves
The positive crankcase ventilation valve is a small part that causes big symptoms when it sticks: oil consumption, a whistling intake, blown seals from crankcase pressure, or a check-engine light after fueling. On many engines it is built into the valve cover, which is why some valve covers are replaced for a PCV failure. On others it is a cheap screw-in valve. We tell you which your engine has.
Valve Cover, Head Gaskets & PCV Valves by make
- Toyota — Tacoma and Tundra 2.7 valve covers and Corolla valve cover gaskets are frequent orders.
- Honda — Pilot and Odyssey 3.5 valve cover gasket sets with tube seals.
- Buick — 3.8 V6 upper and lower intake gaskets, plus the plastic intake manifold known to crack.
- Chevrolet — 5.3 V8 valve cover gaskets and Equinox 2.4 PCV-related timing cover gaskets.
- Mercedes-Benz — M272 V6 valve cover gaskets, sold with the cam adjuster magnet seals.
- Nissan — VQ 3.5 valve cover gaskets and the rear-bank cover on Murano and Altima.
Read before you buy
Valve Cover, Head Gaskets & PCV Valves FAQ
Oil on top of the engine around the cover edge, or oil in the spark plug wells, is the valve cover gasket. Oil low on the engine or under it points to the oil pan, timing cover or rear main seal.
On engines with a plastic cover known to warp or with the PCV built in, yes; on cast aluminum covers, the gasket set is enough. We recommend per engine.
Yes, including classic V8s and the 3800 V6. Have the engine size and casting number ready for engines before 1990.