[F22leo]

Over the past month I've done a lot of work on my car (serpentine belt assembly, ofhg and coolant flush,brake flush, air box etc.) and the last thing the car needs is a new valve cover gasket, my question is how long can I put off doing this before it could become a problem, also what are the major issues that could stem from not changing it besides having to add oil(not major lol). Doesn't seem like there's any parts that it could leak onto, where as the ofhg was leaking right on the serpentine belt before I replaced it,I would like to do it eventually myself possibly but no garage and winter don't make for a good job.

[mweisdorfer]

If the leak makes its way to the front of the engine, oil will seep onto the belt. This will cause the belt to fray and wrap around the crank. Once the belt wraps around the crank, it gets sucked into the engine via the crank seal. If that happens, there's a good chance your engine is toast.

[tlow98]

If it’s not smoking at stoplights and causing a ruckus elsewhere (front of engine) then you’re fine to wait. But if it’s the spark plug, ESS or valvtronic seal then you could have more issues come your way.

Mine ‘wept’ or ‘sweated’ just enough to see for 30k miles before I replaced it.

[NinetyEight740]

Oil is flammable, your leak from the valve cover will start to drip onto the converters. Converters run really hot. There is a potential of fire, ive never seen one catch fire yet but it could happen. Do it at your earliest convenience

[Maestro]

If it start leaking on to exhaust or the belt then you have a problem.

My VCG had minor leak and then one day I had smoke coming from under the hood, it was dripping onto the turbo's. I parked the car and order the parts. The leak went from minor to significant in little over the year. When I pulled the VCG it was completely cracked all over the place. I did the work at 160K miles to give you an idea how long it was on before it got bad.

[F22leo]

Originally Posted by Maestro

If it start leaking on to exhaust or the belt then you have a problem.

My VCG had minor leak and then one day I had smoke coming from under the hood, it was dripping onto the turbo's. I parked the car and order the parts. The leak went from minor to significant in little over the year. When I pulled the VCG it was completely cracked all over the place. I did the work at 160K miles to give you an idea how long it was on before it got bad.

My car is only at 88,000 miles so I should have a little time before that gasket fully starts to disintegrate. How hard was it to replace in your experience?

[Wadehadi]

Just changed mine. It's not hard at all but you will def have a leak if it's not done.

[Maestro]

It is not too hard to change, if you are going to do the VCG, you should think about doing plugs and coils since the coils need to be removed at same time. I also did my OFH gasket as well, and number of other items under the hood since you have to disassemble most of the top of the engine to replace the gasket. If your doing the gasket it can be done in under 3 hours.

Also my VCG did not show signs of leaking until about around 140K, obviously my lasted longer than most people experience. My oil pan gasket has been leaking and it needs done, I just have not have the time since it requires lifting the engine or dropping the sub-frame.

[mweisdorfer]

Originally Posted by e92leo

My car is only at 88,000 miles so I should have a little time before that gasket fully starts to disintegrate. How hard was it to replace in your experience?

It might take you 4 hours if you have never done it. There a great diy on ECS tuning for the N54 valve cover gasket in a PDF.

[F22leo]

Originally Posted by Maestro

It is not too hard to change, if you are going to do the VCG, you should think about doing plugs and coils since the coils need to be removed at same time. I also did my OFH gasket as well, and number of other items under the hood since you have to disassemble most of the top of the engine to replace the gasket. If your doing the gasket it can be done in under 3 hours.

Also my VCG did not show signs of leaking until about around 140K, obviously my lasted longer than most people experience. My oil pan gasket has been leaking and it needs done, I just have not have the time since it requires lifting the engine or dropping the sub-frame.

Yeah definitely worth it to do as much you can while in there, I'm thinking about doing eccentric shaft sensor to while in there since it's also a common failure