How to Determine the Valve Oil Seal is Broken?

How to Determine the Valve Oil Seal is Broken?

Once you've had your car serviced for a breakdown, you've got a gasket problem - it's hard-working and relentless soldier. The valve cover gasket is one of the most important gaskets, and its job is to keep oil from leaving the motor. Despite its bottom and top protection, the valve cover gasket is still a very delicate and fragile component. Over time, the gasket can break and become brittle due to exposure to heat, dirt, debris and other elements. 

Once this happens, the gasket can lose its integrity, which can lead to leaks. There are several symptoms that indicate a potential problem with a faulty or damaged valve cover gasket. If you notice any of the following warning signs, it's time to take your vehicle into your mechanic's garage for repair as soon as possible. 

Leaking symptoms are as follows

1,Low engine oil level 

Once oil is leaking from the valve cover gasket, it is important to note that it can also leak from the oil pan. This can cause the check engine light on the dashboard to come on. Not only can excessive heat build up inside the motor, but it can also lead to serious engine damage. If your check engine light is on, it's time to get your car repaired. 

2,Burning oil smell 

When a valve cover gasket breaks, there is compression oil escaping from underneath the cover. Once this happens while the vehicle's engine is running, the excess oil can drip onto the cylinder heads, exhaust pipes and even the fuel inlet. All of these car parts get hot, and they can and will burn oil and create a burning oil smell. A good oil seal really matters.

3,Catching Fire  

Many times, when oil leaks from the valve cover gasket, the oil will flow into the spark plug tube. A misfire and loss of engine performance will soon occur. Oil seepage can also lead to fires under the hood. Once you notice these symptoms, then you need to get your vehicle to a mechanic as soon as possible. 

4,Dirty Valves

Many auto technicians check the valve covers when performing an oil change. The reason for the valve check is to see if there are any leaks coming from the valve cover gasket. The quickest "red flag" for an automotive technician to look for is when the valve cover head is filled with dirt. 

Oil is known to collect debris and dirt under the hood. This debris can also collect on the cylinder head. Therefore, if you see that your valves are dirty, there is a good chance that your valve cover gaskets are bad and need to be replaced.  

Reminder

Even if the valve cover gasket is damaged, we can continue to drive. But you want to make sure that the amount of oil leaking is minimal and that no oil is getting into any hot engine parts. As we mentioned, oil on hot engine parts can cause fires. Your car is drivable, but that doesn't mean you should ignore any problems and must have it serviced promptly. 

You may experience hesitation spending, check engine lights and other problems when you find a gasket leak. So, yes, the longer you wait, the greater the risk of your vehicle's engine failing completely.  

So stop waiting and follow HONGLEI to protect your cars, we are professional oil seals factory with more than 18 years experience.