OculiAquilae

I took my car to the Acura Dealership here to get a spare key cut and programmed, and they were offering a free inspection, so I figured why not. I knew I had a slight oil leak going in, and they told me it was my front and rear valve cover gaskets.

1) Anyone have any idea what the dealership would charge to do this?

2) Has anyone done this? If so, any suggestions or things to make note of? I tried finding a DIY, but without any luck.

Thanks.

Vlad_Type_S

iTrader: (3)

a few hundred for sure. yes, everyone who has done a valve adjustment has also (theoretically) replaced these gaskets and seals. it's not hard to do, actually. check out these videos to see exactly what you need to take off.

if they're leaking though, it should be easy to spot. make sure they aren't pulling your leg by having a look yourself.

truonghthe

dealer will charge you at least 3 hours of labor to do this, $145/hour is the labor rate so you can do the math. They wanted $550 for a valve adjustment.

paperboy42190

iTrader: (7)

Might as well get a valve adjustment while the cover is off, should be in the $500 range

OculiAquilae

Perfect. This is exactly what I was looking for Thank you! I'll just do it myself now

eastcoastguy

I think the labor rate depends on where you are in the country, my Acura dealer only charges $115/hour.

Vlad_Type_S

iTrader: (3)

Good luck! I agree with the others - since you're taking the time to go that deep, I also recommend doing the valve adjustment because you'll have access. Just make sure you do it on a COLD engine (leave it sitting overnight).

nfnsquared

Be careful when torquing those valve cover bolts down. They're notorious for breaking. Spec is only 8.7 ft-lbs. Go slow and easy and if the bolts hit the stop before you reach torque spec, stop. Ask me how I know

Dingo

So my dealer says that one of my valve cover gaskets has a slow leak. At what point should I have them replace both of them? After seeing the video I'd rather pay the dealer to change them. There's no oil drip on the ground when the car sits, yet...

QuickTL07

take the time and do it yourself or go to a local guy that could do this sutff in the garage. I have guy here in IL that I trust...

Find someone local or other shop around.. ask friends and family who they trust and see where they take their cars to get them fixed.......

subydude

Awesome find on the videos. This is on my to do list

truonghthe

I would do the valve cover gasket myself.

OculiAquilae

If you have no oil leaking to the ground, the leak may be so minor....?

Otherwise, it should be super easy to spot:





This is where you would see oil leaking/condensation after the engine gets hot enough. By the coil packs or on/around/leaking from those two bolts/washers in the center of the pictures.

Unless its on the rear and not the front, then it'd be hard to see, but in the same spot on the valve cover.

OculiAquilae

Vlad, you said you'd just do a valve adjustment since you're that close. What about for someone who's never done one? In the videos he made it look and sound relatively simple provided you have the tools and correct measurement/spec feelers. He kept saying 'you should feel just a slight drag', which seems very straight forward if you're used to doing any work on cars.... Thoughts?

OculiAquilae

That's my backup plan if I get too busy or chicken out I also have an EXCELLENT local mechanic! However, it seems simple and straight forward enough, or perhaps I'd just like to think so(?), but I just like doing as much myself as possible to keep the green off my hands so-to-speak, as well as to learn....

Dingo

I'm new to the state and don't know how to find an Excellent local mechanic - advice on how to find the needle in the haystack??? Maybe someone here knows a guy in Southern California, Irvine area?

OculiAquilae

All depends. Try forums? Ask on here? Look for a local group/community and ask? I just found mine via word of mouth. Best mechanic my dad or I have ever had.