I have a 98 accord with 137k miles 4-cyl. Will a slow leaking valve cover gasket hurt anything? Could i just wait until the next timing belt replacement at 210k? I've noticed slight oil burning on maifold.

 

let me get this right..................you got 137k and u want to wait till 210k to replace a leaking valve cover gasket??? please tell me that u r joking.......gasket is only about 10 dollars a lot cheaper than all the oil u have to add because u will be low and not to say the burning smell and 1 last thing the leak will get worse so do urself a favor and replace it ASAP ....

with qeustions like that u will make the real ELVIS roll in his grave

 

well, the thing is that the leak is very slow. The oil pan is dry and I can go 3k miles and the dipstick level is still i the safe range.

 

The valve cover is pretty easy, it's right on top. Is it just like a wet spot but not really dripping?

If you've never had the valve cover off, it's probably an easier job than you think. You don't need a timing belt job as your 'excuse' to finally get it done. Probably the leak will get worse before then, so that's when you replace the VC gasket. Keep an eye on it so it doesn't get worse without you knowing about it.

If your '98 is anything like mine, you'll probably want to take off the plug wires & distributor cap to clean them once or twice before you get 210k. That's another excuse to do it then.

 

Thanks GREAT WIZARD. Today I went ahead and replaced the gasket. I't was really easy.