Advice on buying cover gaskets

Are stone valve cover gaskets good?
Experienced mechanics share their insights in answering this question :
I’ve never heard of stone valve cover gaskets. I’m assuming you don’t mean valve cover gaskets that are made out of stone, because that wouldn’t be good at all. They would not seal. But if there is a brand, do a little research on it. I’ve never personally seen them. If you want the best valve cover gasket, get the new ones that are made of silicon rubber. They are the absolute best and all good auto parts stores sell them. So go with the rubber ones, they are the best. They last the longest and they seal the longest. And if those stone ones are silicon, go ahead and buy them. But do some research first to see what they are made of. If you want all of this, from selection to installment, to be taken care of for you, a certified mechanic from YourMechanic can come to your home or office to replace your valve cover gasket for you.

How to Identify and Fix Common car Problems ?

Our sources include academic articles, blog posts, and personal essays from experienced mechanics :

Silicon rubber: Silicon rubber valve cover gaskets are easy to replace, and tend to hold up better where breakage is concerned.
The main conditions that must be considered without fail are fluid, temperature, and pressure. These three conditions must always be considered when selecting gaskets. Next, the shapes and dimensions (diameter, thickness, and width)of flanges need to be confirmed.
The first consideration when selecting a material for your seal or gasket is temperature since it can change the characteristics of the material. Extreme heat, cold, or widely fluctuating temperatures can affect material sealing properties, maximum allowable stress, and overall performance.
Although valve cover gaskets don`t necessarily need sealers or cements, it`s a common practice to glue the gasket to the valve cover. There are a number of sealant choices, too. For this application, Permatex No. 1, RTVs or Permatex High Tack gasket sealant work well.
Non-Asbestos Sheet Material Gasket

Non-asbestos materials are considered the most reliable option for all sealing flanges and are used in various applications. As the name would suggest, non-asbestos sheet material gaskets are cut from sheet materials that do not contain asbestos.

Three main classifications of gasket materials are used for a wide range of different applications: these are metallic, semi-metallic and non-metallic.
The types of cover gaskets include: cork, fiber gaskets, and synthetic rubber gaskets.
The most commonly used thicknesses for Standard Flange gaskets are 1/16″ and 1/8″.
The primary factors affecting seal selection are temperature, wear resistance, abrasion, sealed pressure, face materials, vibration, and expected life.
ASTM and their gasket standards

For gasket materials the first two standards to be aware of are F104 and D2000. F104 is a system for classifying non-metallic gasket materials. The idea is to simplify material and gasket selection by translating application needs into a six digit code.

Our pick for the best value gasket sealer, Permatex Ultra Black, is a great choice for those times when you don`t have a paper, cork, or rubber gasket and you`re putting parts together that will be subjected to a lot of oil when in use.
Silicone is an excellent choice for gaskets because it forms a tight seal and repels water. Plus, its ability to withstand temperature extremes make it superior to many other types of rubber.
Rubber makes the cork denser and eliminates pathways that can cause leaks. The choice of rubber can control the swell of the material to provide an optimum seal. The choice of rubber is also determined by the chemicals or oils that the product will come in contact with. Rubber makes the cork more stable.
The valve cover gasket sits between the engine and the valve cover and seals the oil inside. Time and many miles can dry out or crack the valve cover gasket. If the seal created by the valve cover and valve cover gasket loses its ability to contain all the oil flying around inside then oil will escape.

Relevant Questions and Answers :

the most relevant questions and answers related to your specific issue

Pete, I need valve cover gaskets and timing cover gaskets replaced, I have the gaskets / kits for all. Price please? Thanks, David
ANSWER : Hi there. Typically when the timing cover gasket is replaced, the cover itself should be replaced as well. To receive an estimate for this service, and the valve cover gasket, please click this link and enter your vehicle information and services requested. Once we receive the data, we’ll send you a quote via email. Thanks.

Read Full Q/A … : Advice on buying cover gaskets

Head Gasket replacement
ANSWER : Hi there:

In general, the tips you’ve listed are very important to remember, but you are missing on very critical step – purchase a 2001 Honda Accord service repair manual and follow their specific instructions exactly. Also, if you’re completing this repair due to overheating damage; you might want to replace all ignition system sensors and connectors as well, including the crankshaft position sensor and ALL electrical connections going to those sensors.

Read Full Q/A … : Advice on buying cover gaskets

How many gaskets are found in the upper engine gasket kit for a 2008 Audi Q7
ANSWER : Hi there. You could find a head gasket and the gasket kit from a local parts store or the dealership. The head gasket is sold separately from the upper gasket set. The upper gasket set comes with the intake gaskets, exhaust gaskets, valve cover gasket, and thermostat housing gasket. If you need further assistance with oil getting into the cooling system, then seek out a professional, such as one from Your Mechanic, to help you.

Read Full Q/A … : Advice on buying cover gaskets

i have a 1994 z28 and i did a head gasket replacement for some blown head gaskets. I then tried changing the timing gears and when
ANSWER : Hi there. It really depends on the location of the motor (meaning if it’s installed in the vehicle or loose and on an engine stand), that would factor into the price and whether this is a project one of our mobile mechanics can complete. We can complete the oil pan gasket replacement, but some of the other jobs like wiring harness, intake and rocker arm installation is outside of our scope of service. In regards to estimates for those services, I would suspect it would cost anywhere from $400 to $1,000 based on where it’s completed and what supplies would be needed.

Read Full Q/A … : Advice on buying cover gaskets

Can i make a new sump gasket for my 98 lancer from cork or rubber gasket sheet or do i need to buy a new one?
ANSWER : Hello. If you have reason to believe that your oil sump may be sludgey, due to waiting too long in between services, then it may not be a bad idea to clean it out. Cleaning the pan / sump out would only help extend and maximize the engine’s service life. You may be able to make a new gasket on your own, however a custom molded oil pan gasket, specifically made for that vehicle can likely be found with little difficulty. If you choose to make your own gasket be sure to do so using a sufficiently oil resistant material.

Read Full Q/A … : Advice on buying cover gaskets

Turbo VS. Non-Turbo Valve Cover Gasket
ANSWER : Hi there. Looks like the gaskets are the same for the turbo and non turbo engines. I recommend asking the local parts store for to see a valve cover gasket for the non turbo engine and a gasket for a turbo engine and compare the two gaskets. If the gaskets are the same material and have the same design, the go for the valve cover gasket that will fit your budget. If you need further assistance with the valve cover gasket, then seek out a professional, such as one from Your Mechanic, to help you.

Read Full Q/A … : Advice on buying cover gaskets

I have a 2001 Toyota Tundra 4.7 V-8. When replacing the valve cover gasket, what should I torque the valve cover back to when rein
ANSWER : The valve cover bolt is tightened to 60 inch pounds.

Read Full Q/A … : Advice on buying cover gaskets

What is the estimated time that a repair for leaking gaskets to last. Also, for replacement of gasket covers?
ANSWER : Hi there:

In order to answer your question correctly, we need to know which gasket you’re referring. If you’re speaking about the valve cover gasket replacement, when done correctly, a valve cover gasket should last more than 100,000 miles without experiencing issues.

Read Full Q/A … : Advice on buying cover gaskets