Is a valve gasket the same as a valve cover gasket?

Question

Ok, so I took my car in for maintenance (Mustang GT convertible 2002) and the mechanic told me the valve gaskets needed to be replaced and when he gave me the estimate, they were two seperate charges for valve gaskets and valve covers, total of about $250.00 not including labor. Is he trying to rip me off cause I'm a girl by the way? Anyways, I didn't get it done cause it needed something else too and I didn't have enough money so I said I would be back in two weeks. So I called the dealership to inquire about the price and I asked the parts guy for a price on valve gaskets and he was like, I don't know what you mean, we have valve cover gaskets but nothing says just valve gaskets? I told him to give me the price anyways, thinking I would ask my brother (who hasn't tried to help me anyways) and it was $60.00 for both (I need two). How can this be if the other guy was charging me $250.00 for different parts? Help!!! Frustrated and confused, I don't know anything about cars :(

Answer 1

I doubt you need valve covers...they are those two black covers on top of the cylinder heads. one on each side of the engine.

If you need anything you would need the valve cover gaskets.

Go to another mechanic. Always get a second opinion.

Good luck!

Answer 2

if he said valve seals...this could be an expensive repair...there is no valve gaskets.....valve covers are a often replaced item...but i would get a separate estimate..before i paid anyone to do anything....do you smell oil burning from your engine? that's a sign that the covers are leaking......there is always a parts mark-up in any garage....but that sounds like  you may have not understood what he was saying...always get a written estimate...not a verbal...if they don't want to give you a detailed written estimate...then they don't want your biz...go somewhere else.....a professional will give you a written estimate..

Answer 3

Your car has 2 valve covers hence,2 valve cover gaskets. Not valve gaskets. Maybe one of the valve covers needs replacing? If the valve covers or gaskets need replacing your car will be leaking oil from under the hood.

Answer 4

Don't let the dealership pass on information that you're unfamiliar with. Make them point out and actually show you exactly what needs replacing.

#1. The valve cover gaskets fit between the stamped steel valve covers and the cylinder heads (2) At: autopartswarhouse.com they cost $41.35 for both of them. Fel-pro is the brand name of these gaskets.

#2. The valve stem seal kit costs $28.20 and again, Fel-pro is the brand neme. First of all does your car smoke slightly when you decelerate? If not there's absolutely no reason to bother having these seals installed. If the car does smoke when you decelerate valve stem seals are nothing but a "stop gap" for the real underlying reason the car smokes. The real reason the car smokes is if there is too much clearance between the intake and exhaust valve stems and the valve guides inside the cylinder heads.

It would take a maximum of three hrs. labor to install valve stem seals. The mechanic must first remove the valve covers, rocker arms and valve springs to slide on the umbrella type Fel-pro valve stem seals.

In all fairness a new car dealer's labor charges is higher than an independant mechanic. It's not rocket science to complete this entire job. I'm glad you included the year make and model of your car. It allowed me to pass on the "real" down to earth prices of parts needed which are as good or better than Ford's high priced parts.

I hope you make out OK on this repair. Good luck to ya,

PS. If you want or need any further explinations don't hesitate to E-mail and I'll dig up some sites with pictures so you'll beter understand where these parts fit!

Answer 5

here's a set of fel-pro valve cover gaskets which is a premium gasket for your GT for $52.99 at kragen autoparts . that mechanic is jacking you around find another mechanic !  there are no "valve gaskets" just valve cover gaskets  

Answer 6

here are some pics of what hes talking about

What A valve cover looks like on a V6 motor:

http://www.powdercoatingit.com/images/Fo...

The underside of a valve cover with a gasket (the black rubber thing)

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3225/2619...

usually you can tell when a car needs the gasket to be replaced because it will leak oil where the gasket is at the bottom of the cover

i think hes ripping you off because cars usually dont need to have the valve cover replaced, just the gaskets so take it to another mechanic and get another estimate