What Else to Replace With Your Valve Cover Gasket (Save on Labor)
When the valve cover is off, you have free access to components that normally require 1-2 hours of labor just to reach. Adding these repairs costs parts only, not additional labor. Here is what to consider bundling and how much you save.
The principle: any repair that requires valve cover removal is free labor when bundled with a valve cover gasket job. You only pay for parts.
Spark Plug Tube Seals
These seals are part of the valve cover gasket assembly and sit in the openings where the spark plug tubes pass through the valve cover. When they fail, oil leaks into the spark plug wells, causing misfires and coil damage. Most gasket kits include them. If yours does not, buy them separately. There is zero reason not to replace these during a valve cover gasket job.
Spark Plugs
Spark plugs are already exposed when the valve cover and ignition coils are removed. If your plugs are within 10,000 miles of their change interval (typically 60,000-100,000 miles for iridium plugs), replace them now. You save $50-$100 in future labor because the mechanic would otherwise charge to remove the coils again to access the plugs. Iridium plugs: $8-$15 each. Copper plugs (older vehicles): $2-$4 each.
PCV Valve
The PCV (Positive Crankcase Ventilation) valve regulates crankcase pressure. On many engines, it sits in or near the valve cover and is accessible when the cover is off. A stuck PCV valve causes excessive crankcase pressure, which accelerates gasket failure. If you replace the gasket but leave a stuck PCV valve, the new gasket may fail prematurely. At $10-$30 for the part, this is cheap insurance.
Ignition Coils
If you have had oil leaking into the spark plug wells, inspect the ignition coil boots. Oil-saturated boots swell and lose their insulating properties. If any coils are causing misfires, replace them while the valve cover is off. No need to replace all coils preventively unless they are original on a high-mileage vehicle (150,000+ miles). Cost: $25-$60 each for aftermarket, $50-$120 for OEM.
Valve Cover Itself
If the valve cover is warped (from previous over-torquing) or cracked (plastic covers from age and heat), replacing just the gasket will not fix the leak. Inspect the cover when it is off. Place it on a flat surface and check for warpage with a straightedge. Aftermarket covers: $50-$200. OEM: $150-$400. European integrated covers with PCV: $150-$300 aftermarket, $200-$400 OEM.
Bundled Cost Comparison
| Repair Scope | Parts Cost | Added Labor | Total Range | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gasket only | $15-$50 | $0 | $200-$600 | Base repair |
| + Spark plug tube seals | $10-$20 | $0 | $210-$620 | Usually included in kit |
| + Spark plugs | $40-$80 | $0 | $250-$700 | Save $50-$100 future labor |
| + PCV valve | $10-$30 | $0 | $260-$730 | Prevents future gasket failure |
| + Ignition coils (if needed) | $100-$300 | $0 | $360-$1,030 | Only if misfiring |
| Full bundle (all of above) | $175-$480 | $0 | $375-$1,080 | Best value if all items are due |
Should You Replace Both Valve Cover Gaskets?
If you have a V6 or V8 with two valve covers, and one is leaking, the other is the same age with the same miles of heat cycling. Doing both at the same time adds $50-$100 in parts but saves you a return trip and the full labor charge for the second cover later.
For V6 engines where the rear bank requires intake manifold removal: if only the front bank is leaking, doing the rear bank at the same time saves the full 1.5-2.5 hours of intake manifold removal labor that you would pay again if the rear bank starts leaking next year. It is almost always worth doing both.
Cost Overview
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