About Valve Cover Gasket
The valve cover gasket is a rubber seal, and there is not only a sealing ring around the valve cover, but also a seal around each spark plug sleeve. The biggest function of these rubber seals is to prevent oil leakage.
| Material | NBR |
| Hardness | 70±5 Shore A |
| Brittle temperature | ≤-30 or ≤-45℃ |
| Tensile strength | ≥15.0MPa |
| Elongation at break | ≥250% |
| Tear strength | ≥25.0kN/m |
Introduction
Valve cover gasket is generally made of a sealing material, usually nitrile rubber or silicone. This sealing material is widely used in automobile engines because of its heat resistance, good elasticity and sealing properties. The valve cover gasket covers a large area and must take into account both sealing and durability.
When lubricant from one pipe flows to another pipe, it is retained at the valve cover by the valve or valve spring. In this way, the various instruments and mechanical parts of the car engine can fully obtain the lubricating oil required for operation, thus ensuring the normal operation of the engine. Therefore, if the valve cover gasket leaks, it will have a serious impact on the normal operation of the engine.
Function
The function of the valve cover gasket mainly has the following three aspects.
1. The main function of the valve cover is to seal the top of the engine to prevent oil leakage. When the engine is running, the top of the engine also needs to be lubricated, and the sealing of the valve cover gasket can prevent the loss of lubricating oil.
2. The cylinder head corresponds to the cylinder block. The valve is installed on the cylinder head and forms a sealed compression chamber with the cylinder block assembly. When certain conditions are met, the combustible mixture burns inside it, creating an explosion that drives the piston to move, thereby generating power.
3. The valve cover gasket is located on the top of the valve cover. Below the valve cover is the cylinder head, then below is the cylinder block, and at the end is the oil pan. Its sealing quality greatly affects the performance of the entire engine.
Therefore, the valve cover gasket is closely related to the performance of the engine. If there is a problem with the seal, it may cause lubricating oil to leak, water and other impurities to enter the engine and cause engine failure.
Failure cause analysis
1. The aging of the valve cover gasket itself leads to oil leakage: Due to long-term use of the engine (more than 100,000 kilometers), the aging of the valve cover gasket is likely to occur, which in turn leads to oil leakage.
2. The crankcase forced ventilation valve is clogged: When the engine is running at high speed, the pressure and temperature of the engine oil will continue to increase, and the engine crankcase needs to be ventilated and cooled to reduce the oil pressure. If the forced crankcase ventilation valve is clogged, it will directly lead to excessive oil pressure. At this time, the valve cover gasket may leak oil.
3. Failure of other engine components: Aging of the engine piston ring leads to loose sealing. When the engine is running at high speed, cylinder blow-by occurs, causing the exhaust gas pressure to be too high. In severe cases, it directly leads to damage to the valve cover gasket.
In addition, due to the extremely poor quality of the engine oil, severe carbon deposits lead to piston adhesion, and the installation of the valve cover gasket is not standardized, resulting in uneven force, etc. These problems will lead to damage to the valve cover gasket and oil leakage.
Solutions
1. Regular replacement: It is recommended to replace every two years or approximately every 20,000 miles. The specific time and mileage depend on the usage of the vehicle.
2. Pay attention to the oil pressure: Long-term oil shortage or unstable oil pressure will cause the valve cover to leak, so the engine oil pressure should be checked regularly.
3. Clean carefully: When cleaning the engine, you should first use a damp cloth to clean away impurities and soil, and then use a dry cloth to dry the surface.
4. Pay attention to curve driving: excessive curve driving will cause the engine to tilt, causing oil to leak from the valve cover. So don’t go too fast or make sharp turns for a long time.
In short, although the valve cover gasket is small, its role is indispensable. Regular inspection and maintenance of it can effectively extend its service life and ensure the safety and performance of the car.
