Hi I have a 1991 Honda Accord LX Coupe and I was just wondering what happens if you leave a leaking valve cover gasket in a engine. Will it run sluggish, or missfire after a while? Or could I just leave it and it be fine? What is invloved in replacing this valve cover gasket?

 

I'm not sure exactly what happens if you don't replace a leaky gasket other than that you lose oil, dirty oil that seeps out onto your engine.

All you need to replace your valve cover gasket is a 10 mm socket and wrench, and a flat head screw driver if you need to to pry up on the valve cover.

There are only 4 nuts there that you need to remove. Underneath these nuts are grommets that seal the cover where the bolts go through. You'll also need to remove the pcv valve (pull it out of the valve cover) and remove the small hose that clamps into the valve cover. It's just a hose and clamp. Just press on the clamp- you can use your fingers- to loosen the grip and then nudge it off. Finally, there's a ground wire on the cover held on by a bolt with a 10 mm head. Remove that too to get it out of the way.

A valve cover gasket (gasket only) goes for about 15 bucks.

I don't recommend Felpro gaskets, a brand everyone seems to like. But if you do use Felpro, be careful that when you install it you're not stretching it in anyway. Felpro gaskets stretch and lengthen quite easily.

 

if your going to take the time to replace the valve cover gasket i would go ahead and get tube seals and new gromets while you at it. tube seal with leak oil into the spark plug tubes. getting on the plug and wire, and that could cause an issue with it running smooth. i work at a honda dealer and ours sells a gasket cover set which comes with the cover gasket, tube seals, and gromets. i would just shoot up to a local dealer if there is one in you area