A while back I got my first car from a local pawn shop for around $1,000. A 1998 Ford Taurus with a 3L V6 Vulcan engine and a 4-speed automatic transmission. It's now got 107,660 miles, I have no OBD II codes now after a decent amount of work on the car (only had a couple quickly fixed ones), but the valve cover gaskets are leaking. They look like they've been leaking oil for quite a long time too, there's buildup all over the engine block and head from the leaking oil over time. How serious is this issue, and should it be addressed ASAP?
If it is easy and cheap, change it.
If it is difficult and expensive and not causing any problems, live with it.
I had to change the valve cover gaskets to my BMW and Accord.
The BMW was wayyyyy too complicated for me, so I took it in, and it cost $$$$$$$$. Why was it complicated? There is soooooooooooooo much you need to remove before you get to the actual valve cover gasket.
The Accord was relatively easy. IMHO, almost any fool could do the Accord. Easy enough, that I did it myself. Remove 4 coils, Remove 5 bolts, take off the cover, take off the gasket, put on the gasket, and reverse all the steps. Easy.
In retrospect, I should have just kept the BMW gasket and waited until I needed to do another job, because it wasn't causing any problems. Only one time, when it leaked enough to smoke, but after that, it sealed itself up well.
Well it'd be relatively cheap, but definitely not exactly the easiest thing to work on. I'd have to take off the throttle body, intake manifold plenum, move a bunch of hoses and wires out of the way, and find the right angle for getting the bolts on the valve cover gasket further back.
On top of that I'd have to find a way to clean off the buildup wherever I can because I'd like to do that as well. Might just end up doing it. It's doable and affordable enough but it'll be a while before I'll be able to get to it. I assume this shouldn't cause too many crazy problems until I am able to find time and money to do it myself.
Oh and the shops around here charge like mad so I basically h a v e to do everything myself to have reasonable amounts of money left after the fact
Is it dripping on to.the floor or any important parts? How often do you have to add oil. That can help decide how bad the leak is. It could look worse than it actually is.
It leaks very slowly and over time, and it doesn't ever seem to touch anything vital or electrical. There's the occasional burning oil smell coming from the back of the engine though
Edit: Forgot to mention that I don't have to add oil very often at all
When you say you smell the oil occasionally it that outside the car or inside the car? I am leaning to the leak not being a big deal and just living with it.
It can be smelled both inside and outside the car
To be on the safe side I would replace them.
Replace it now or you can continue to worry about it.
