The oil in my valve cover smells like gas. I noticed a leak (looks like its coming from my head gasket) could that cause gas to get into the oil though?? Anyone know how much it is to repace the gasket, parts and labor?

 

Hahaha!

First of all, your head gasket is between the head and the block. I doubt you see it leaking. What you probably see is the valve cover gasket leaking. The gas-like smell is pretty common and normal. If it really stinks you probably have an older motor and the rings are allowing some blow-by from the combustion chamber.

[Shudders]Fixing the valve cover gasket is something you can probably do yourself.[/Shudders]

I think Honda charges $70 for the gasket and it is about $40 from an auto parts store. The blowby issue can only be addressed by the installation of new piston rings which is expensive and if you tried to do it, your car will probably never run again.

 

i know where the valve cover gasket is, and it is not leaking. There is a thin bead of oil where the head meets the block. Now i'm not a rocket scientist, but isnt that the head gasket?
my engine only has 106,000. Doubt its the rings


[Modified by Tegra, 2:01 PM 11/16/2002]

 

lol