Timing Cover Reseal: When to Do and What to Consider?

A vehicle's timing cover serves the purpose of keeping your engine's timing parts functioning properly. Timing components such as the chain, cam, and crankshaft need to be well-lubricated all the time. If the engine front cover fails and begins to leak, these parts will not spin as required.

Engine leaks highlights

• Level of importance:Medium
• Commonreasons:Problems with seals and gaskets, internal failures
• DIY inspection:Possible but complicated
• DIY repair:Mostly,impossible
• Price for repair:$150 - $650
• Can you drive?Only if the leak is minor
• Ways to fix:Replace the broken gasket or seal, replace the failed part

When Should I Reseal My Timing Cover?

On some cars, the timing cover features several components that make up one unit. Over time, a timing cover may wear out and begin to leak. This is hazardous because of the many crucial parts of your engine the cover protects.

The most pronounced sign that your timing cover needs resealing is when it begins to leak. You can confirm this by checking under your vehicle after parking overnight. You can also notice a leaking cover when you pop the hood. You will see oil residues on your engine.

These signs show that it is time to reseal the timing cover. If you don't act faster, the timing components, including the timing chain/ belt, may fail, leading to more catastrophic problems. Although it is not cheap to repair a bad timing cover, it costs more to repair the engine.     

Signs That It's Time to Reseal Your Timing Cover

• Visible Oil Leak

You can tell that you need to reseal your timing cover when you notice oil leaking from the timing cover area. You'll see oil seeping from the edges of the timing cover. You may also find oil residues under your vehicle after parking. A faulty timing cover causes these kinds of oil leaks to occur.

One of the damages that could cause the timing cover to fail is cracks, which makes it impossible for the cover to seal appropriately. If you notice these leaks, check for fractures on the cover. Oil leaks caused by a faulty timing cover appear to leak from the front of the engine.

• Engine Producing a Knocking Sound

If your vehicle is producing a knocking sound as you drive down the road, this is another warning sign that your timing cover may be faulty. There's no time that a knocking sound indicates good news. It often warns of a severe issue going on with your engine.

Other possible causes of the knocking sound from the engine are wrong fuel, faulty spark plugs, or carbon deposits in your engine. The carbon build-up prevents the engine from burning fuel effectively.

If the knocking sound is specifically coming from the front end of your engine, it is a clear indication that something is wrong with your timing cover or the cover gasket. A faulty timing cover gasket causes it to move around more than it should. It could even be the one causing the knocking sound when it comes in contact with the engine.

• Engine Runs Rough

Another signal that it might be time to reseal your timing cover is when your engine starts to run rougher than usual. When the timing cover becomes faulty and can no longer seal correctly with the engine block, it allows dirt and debris to enter the engine. These factors are dangerous to critical components such as the cam and crankshaft.

Dirt and debris cause the camshaft, crankshaft, and other engine components not to function correctly; as a result, the motor may run rough. If you experience these symptoms, you should fix the problem immediately to protect the engine and prevent it from failing.

If your engine runs rough with the slightest signs of misfiring, it is time to reseal your timing cover. You should get a mechanic to check the timing cover and the cover gasket to assess their conditions. If they're the culprits of the issue, then they should be fixed or replaced.

• Low Oil Levels

One of the maintenance routines you shouldn't miss is checking your vehicle's oil levels. If your oil level falls below the full mark more often than usual, your timing cover might be the culprit. The oil levels keep dropping because the timing cover is leaking. If the oil drops to the point where the oil warning light comes on, the problem is getting critical.

You should constantly check your oil levels even when there's no sign of a leak. Even a slow leak is a problem. If it isn't fixed early enough, it could escalate and cause more damage to the timing components and, eventually, the engine.

• Check Engine Light Illuminates

Besides keeping the timing components protected, the timing cover is also responsible for maintaining pressure from escaping. If the pressure escapes and the engine sensors detect a vacuum, the check engine light comes on. When this warning appears on your dashboard, you should treat it with a lot of seriousness as it signifies a significant issue with your engine.

If the timing cover loosens, the check engine light will come on. A loose timing cover is a big problem that shouldn't be left unattended for long.

One major problem with many car owners and drivers is that they ignore the check engine light until the car is on the verge of breaking down. However, you don't want to let this go unattended. A faulty timing cover or cover gasket could leave you stranded on the roadside.  

How Long Should the Timing Cover Last?

If your driving habits aren't questionable and you adhere to maintenance schedules religiously, the timing cover in your car should never cause any serious issues. Usually, when the engine nears 100,000 miles, the timing cover gasket might show signs of wearing out. You may begin to see oil drips around the timing cover area.

The timing cover being close to the serpentine belt may cause the leaking oil to splatter and fall all over the engine.

However, even though the timing cover lasts over 100,000 miles, you should always be on the lookout for symptoms of a bad timing cover or cover gasket. Depending on your vehicle's make and model, some timing covers may fail earlier than others.

If you reside or drive in an extremely hot area, your timing cover might need resealing much sooner than usual. Any harsh driving environment could cause the timing cover to die and require resealing much sooner.

If you notice these symptoms of a faulty timing cover, you should take action before the problem becomes more severe.      

Timing Cover Repair/ Replacement Cost

The resealing or replacement cost of a leaking timing cover or gasket depends on who does the job. You'll be pleased to know that the cover and the gasket cost less than $100. However, if you are not a DIY person, you should brace yourself for hefty labor charges.

You shouldn't be surprised to hear a mechanic charge you over $500 for replacing a component that costs $100 to purchase. Depending on the car make and model you drive, some timing covers and gaskets are hidden and difficult to locate. The mechanic has to remove other parts before reaching the timing cover, which significantly causes the labor charges to be high.

With this in mind, it will be bad for you to pay a high timing cover replacement cost and have the job done poorly. This is why you should ensure you give the job to the right mechanic. Some mechanics will also advise you to get rid of the car and buy another, especially if the timing cover and gasket are badly off and your current vehicle isn't worth much.

Should You Drive With a Bad Timing Cover?

If the timing cover gasket fails, you can continue to drive. A failed cover gasket only allows oil to leak in sips. Your oil won't leak in pouring amounts until a considerable timing cover problem arises. However, your oil will soon start pouring if the slight leak isn't fixed.

The timing cover will fail completely within a few days, and your oil will leak constantly. This will put the timing components, and possibly the engine, into a precarious position - you risk losing the timing chain, camshaft, and crankshaft. And if the situation worsens, you may replace the engine altogether.

This brings us to the answer; you shouldn't drive around if there's a problem, any slight problem, with your timing cover. If you suspect an issue with your timing cover or the timing cover gasket, it is essential to have it resealed immediately.

Conclusion

As a part of regular vehicle maintenance, ensure the timing cover is in proper working condition. A leaking timing cover doesn't only let oil and pressure leak; it also allows dirt and debris into the engine. This could cause severe problems with your timing components and, potentially, the engine.