Hey all, my valve cover gaskets are letting go for real finally. Thanks in advance for reading.

I've got an '04 with 107K on the clock. I've owned her for 3+ years and 30K miles. Since I bought the vehicle it's produced a slight coolant smell under the hood. There was a leak from the throttle body heater and another at the overflow on the rad. I fixed both but the smell has persisted.

I run the 180 degree t-stat. UG shows temps in the 188-194 range mostly, though climbing a few degrees higher the past year. Occasionally, in the summer time, temps work their way into the 200's. Overheated on me twice over the years. Once due to a bad condenser fan. Once last summer, due to bumper to bumper traffic on a 100+ degree day.

No coolant leaks, no trace of anything in the oil. However, I suspect I'm getting some combustion pressurizing the system. That being said, it's pretty reliable and doesn't lose coolant.

So back to the valve cover gaskets. Those have to be done, period. I've also got a set of Magnecore 8mm wires sitting on the shelf. Since I'll be pulling the intake, I might as well do those. I'm also considering coil packs, because I managed to get one wet last year and the car hasn't run as smoothly since.

Now for the biggie. It's been 58K miles since the last head gasket job. Is this the time to do it? Caveat being, my wife and I share this car for the next few months (trying to make it 1 full year with no car payment!). So, if I take it down, we are dead in the water. I really appreciate the advice.

 

I wouldn't mess with the head gaskets until they fail. Get you one of these and see if you have issue with the heads.

UView® 560000 - Hy Drive o Carbon Radiator Leak Cooling System Tester

If you do have a leak then replace them.

Your looking at a weekend job for the valve covers and wires. Otherwise your looking at being without a vehicle at least a week if you do the heads.

 

Thanks Ralph. 1000 posts today! Cheers.

 

Quote:

Originally Posted by G150driver

I suspect I'm getting some combustion pressurizing the system. That being said, it's pretty reliable and doesn't lose coolant.

Why do you think this is happening? What are the symptoms?

I'm doing my second set (in 12 months) of head gaskets right now, heads are all cleaned up and ready to go on. Check out RockAuto.com for the gasket kits, belts, pulleys, and water pumps, I was able to save a ton buying through them. Also got a great deal on ARP head studs, message me for details. I would do the gaskets, water pump, belts/pulleys, radiator, and hoses.