Valve Cover Gasket Lifespan vs OCI

[SilverGGA]

Does changing the oil more frequently extend the expected life of the valve cover gasket?

More frequent means more frequent than manufacturer specified e.g. instead of 10k/1 year specified from manufacturer, change at 7.5k/6 months.

 

[Trav]

I cant imagine why it would.

 

[Lolvoguy]

agreed.

It's constantly exposed to heat and pressure from the crankcase. Over time it'll breakdown.

 

[HTSS_TR]

I used to do 6mo/8-10k with dino and 12mo/17-20k with syn, filter was once a year, for my 1994 LS400. I sold it 6-7 months ago after 22 years and 380+k miles, it still had all original head gaskets, valve cover gaskets ...

My 2000 E430 with 180+k miles has all original gaskets, the OCI is once a year up to 13,xxx miles.

 

[crazyoildude]

i think if you use a good high mileage oil it helps somewhat..

 

[Kool1]

I've heard that synthetic oil will keep gaskets pliable over a longer period than conventional oil. I have no proof of this but I can say that my CRV with 192,000 miles had the valve cover gasket replaced at about 135,000 miles when I did a valve adjustment; all the other gaskets and seals are original. I have no leaks from the engine and have been feeding the engine a steady diet of synthetic oil since new.

 

[Trav]

I think it probably has more to do with the material used for the gasket than anything else.

 

[nobb]

Unless you are really stretching your OCIs I really don't think more oil changes would noticeably affect the lifespan. The number of heat cycles (start stop) and age would be a bigger factor.

I would be more concerned about extending the lifespan of the various seals like camshaft, crankshaft, rear main. Valve covers are usually easier to replace.

 

[doublebase]

I just think it depends on engine design and gasket material. I have a Lexus LS 460 and the thing is air tight on that engine/tranny pan. I think it's just the engineering if the car and quality...130,000 miles and nothing leaks.

Meanwhile when I was a kid I had a Chrysler Lebaron and I had to do valve cover gaskets every 30,000 miles (I actually think it was part of a service). The valve cover gasket design was terrible, the thing had four pieces that you'd kind of put together with RTV. They weren't the only ones that did that.

Even today I see 3.7 Jeep Liberty engines with leaking valve cover gaskets all the time...different engine...different design, but they still leak.

Eventually they all leak, oil doesn't have much to do with it, if at all.

 

[tig1]

No

 

[circuitsmith]

I can imagine dirty gritty oil shortening the life of shaft seals, but not a stationary seal like on covers.