Cylinder head cover gasket: common defects and their signs

1. Cylinder head cover gasket deterioration.
   • Excessive fuel consumption.
   • Lowering of engine power.
   • Presence of brown-and-white foam on the oil filler cap or the oil dipstick.
   • Appearance of oil stains on antifreeze surface.
   • Unstable operation of the engine.
2. Thermal damages.
   • White smoke coming out of the exhaust pipe.
   • Excessive consumption of antifreeze.
   • Overheating of the engine.
   • Oil, cooling liquid or gases leakages in areas of mounting of the cover to the cylinder head.

How to replace cylinder head cover gasket?

Lifetime of the cylinder head cover gasket depends on conditions of car exploitation, and on quality of used oil and cooling liquid. On the average, lifetime of the cylinder head cover gasket is about 200 000 operational kilometers. The gasket of the cylinder head cover is beyond repair and recovery. If defect signs were found, the part is to be replaced.

It is recommended to apply to a service station to diagnose the gasket defect, where the engine compression will be measured, and, if necessary, the car component will be replaced.

Specialists recommend to replace the valve cover gasket and cylinder head bolts together with the gasket.

During installation of a new cylinder head cover gasket, check for its proper location.
Use a torque wrench and follow the order and tightening torque for bolts, which are specified by the manufacturer.
Gaskets are expendable and are to be replaced at each demounting of the cylinder head cover.

Types:

1. By material:
   • rubber;
   • silicone;
   • cork.