It’s always a good idea to get the opinion of a qualified mechanic at your local NAPA AutoCare before tackling this as a DIY repair.Ĭheck out all the engine parts & gaskets available on NAPA Online or trust one of our 17,000 NAPA AutoCare locations for routine maintenance and repairs. Replacement timing cover gaskets are easy to find, but the labor to actually remove and replace them can be substantial, depending on where on the motor they’re located. Other indications that the gasket or cover itself might be failing include: a knocking sound from the front of the motor while it’s running (as the loose cover moves against the engine), a rough-running motor (due to dirt interfering with the timing belt or chain) and a check engine light (caused by the loss of vacuum inside the motor from a leaking gasket). However, I have never had one suddenly spring a leak without having removed the cover. It’s not always easy to determine where, exactly, an oil leak is coming from, so using a degreasing product to clean the area around the timing cover is helpful for spotting leaks. Another slight possibility is the cam seal in the timing cover. Given that the timing cover gasket sits over an open window into your engine, one of the most common signs of failure is oil leaking from the timing cover onto the ground or down the front of the engine. Eventually, the gasket begins to dry out and shrink, which causes it to pull away from the surfaces it’s bonded to and slowly opens up the seal that it’s supposed to make. Why Does It Fail?Īs with so many other seals in an engine, time and heat are the biggest enemies to a timing cover gasket. The cover ensures that dirt and grime from the outside world don’t enter into the engine itself, and the timing cover gasket is there to complete the air-tight seal. Your car’s timing cover protects the timing belt or chain that connects the camshaft to the crankshaft and allows the valves in your engine to open and close at exactly the right time during the internal combustion process. If theres noticeable dripping oil after your service, most likely the cover. Here’s a look at what’s underneath that cover and the signs that the gasket might need replacing. The front engine cover, also known as the timing cover or timing case, is designed to protect the timing chain/s and tensioners on the front of the engine. The real danger of driving with a timing cover oil leak, besides a low oil level, is getting engine oil on your engine belt. It also tends to leak down the front and onto the panels and be not very obvious. Tucked away at the front of your engine, the timing cover is often buried under fans, belts, pulleys and other components that make it difficult to inspect, which means you might not automatically connect it to the puddle you’ve found under your vehicle. Your timing cover gasket might be hiding a secret - and that secret is that it’s leaking.