The timing cover gasket for a combustion engine is designed to provide a buffer between the engine block and the timing chain or belt cover. Due to being made with either rubber or cork, gaskets will wear thin and degrade over time. They will begin to fail after becoming brittle or contaminated with debris, leading to oil leaks and possible engine failure if not replaced.
Pro tip: A timing cover gasket will generally begin to fail around the same time as the other parts of the power unit — after 100,000 miles of daily driving, or roughly eight years.
What affects the cost of a timing cover gasket repair?
Repairing a timing cover gasket is not a simple project. It involves removing additional parts and components — including the water pump, radiator, coolant lines and often support brackets — and requires specialty tools, extensive clean-up and meticulous preparation. Other factors that affect the overall cost include:
- Location: A mechanic or dealership located in metro areas charges a premium for labor rates, varying between $120 – $200 per hour. Suburbs or small towns may charge less, but it varies greatly. The price variance between the two locations is typically less than 20%.
- Repair facility: Choosing between a dealership and a local mechanic shop is another key factor. Generally, dealerships provide expertise and readily-available replacement parts, while a private mechanic or local repair shop might charge less but take a bit longer. Again, the price difference between dealerships and local shops is less than 20% for this type of repair.
- Parts needed: With a timing gasket repair, most professional mechanics will recommend replacing the timing chain/belt cover and the new supporting gaskets.
- If the gasket alone is replaced, the parts will cost between $10 – $100.
- If the gasket and the timing cover requires replacement, the cost will increase between $75 – $500.
- Vehicle complexity: Standard four-cylinder engines in compact cars typically require less work to access the timing cover, keeping costs lower. Meanwhile, V6 and V8 configurations, all-wheel-drive systems and hybrid powertrains often demand additional disassembly, specialized tools and extended labor hours.
- It’s also common for automotive repair shops to charge a premium for luxury and performance vehicles.
- Domestic or import sedan or coupe average: 5 hours of labor
- Luxury, European or performance vehicle average: 8 hours of labor
- Specialty tools and fluids: A timing cover gasket repair includes draining and refilling engine oil and coolants, which sometimes requires specialty tools to complete.
- Fluid costs are documented under ‘parts’ and will cost between $20 – $75.
- The use of special tools is not typically a line item charge, but may impact the hours of labor.
Other services to get alongside a timing cover gasket repair
When a timing cover gasket fails, it tends to spray oil all over the engine compartment. This creates a tremendous mess and becomes a binder for dirt and road debris to stick to, resulting in the premature wear of other parts.
Related services include water pump replacement, cooling system parts and a timing belt or chain inspection (which a mechanic should offer along with the gasket repair).
Being proactive about replacing the coolant system parts can significantly reduce the potential of engine overheating, head gasket failure or a catastrophic timing belt break.
Can I do this repair myself?
This is one of those repairs that should always be completed by an ASE-certified mechanic who has experience working with your make and model of vehicle. This is especially true if you have a timing chain.
If the timing chain is moved during the repair, it will impact ignition timing, which often results in piston-to-valve contact during the combustion stroke. If this happens, your engine will suffer catastrophic failure.
Many shade-tree mechanics will try to “fix” this problem using silicones and sealants — or even worse, oil additives that clog up the leak. While this method might put a Band-Aid over the issue, we strongly recommend not falling into this trap.
What’s involved in a timing cover gasket repair job?
A certified mechanic or dealership service technician will always follow a structured 5-step process to repair or replace a timing cover gasket.
Step 1: Preparation: Once you agree with the estimate, the repairs will begin. The technician will start by draining the engine oil and coolant and removing all electrical connections, air intake, belts, drive pulleys and other components as required.
Step 2: Remove the timing cover: This is a precise process where inexperienced mechanics make some mistakes. The timing cover extraction involves removing a series of bolts in a specific pattern to avoid impacting the alignment of the timing chain or belt.
- An experienced tech will also remove the cover and attempt to extract the gasket in one piece.
Step 3: Clean-up and prep: Before installing a new timing cover gasket, the mechanic will remove the older gasket material and any debris, then inspect the timing cover and engine block for any signs of damage or a non-flat surface.
- If they find that the engine block may be warped, they will inform you before completing additional repairs.This can significantly impact the overall cost of the repair.
Step 4: Installation: This is the easy part. They will apply the new gasket to the timing chain cover using a dedicated sealant, then carefully align the timing cover to the engine block.
- The final step is to install the bolts in a specific pattern that is always unique to the vehicle’s engine type and manufacturer.
Step 5: Reinstallation of supporting parts: After completing the timing cover gasket installation, the last steps involve reinstalling any parts in the reverse order of their removal, refilling all fluids, running the engine to the recommended operating temperature and then checking for any oil or fluid leaks.
Pro tip: Most timing cover gasket repairs will be billed in two separate labor rates: the hours for removing and reinstalling supporting parts and the time for replacing the timing cover gasket. Expect to be billed for 3 – 8 total hours.
Where can I get a timing cover gasket repaired?
Choosing the right shop to complete a timing cover gasket repair should begin with a local search. There are three specific qualifications you should expect your mechanic to have:
- Vehicle specialist: They should specialize in your type of vehicle.
- Oil leak specialist: They should have experience in diagnosing and fixing all types of oil leaks.
- OEM certification: They should have OEM certification for completing engine repairs for your exact vehicle type. For example, always defer to a BMW-certified technician if you own a BMW.
You should always compare quotes from at least three different shops even if they require a physical inspection at their facility, as this type of due diligence can save you hundreds of dollars.
Additionally, take the time to look for repair reviews specific to your type of vehicle and this repair. Remember, the best shop to pick for any mechanical repair is the one offering the highest quality work and best value—not always the rock-bottom price.
Pro tip: Don’t be discouraged by the initial price estimate, which will be higher than $800 in many cases. If this issue is left unresolved, it may quickly lead to overheating, head gasket failure and a complete engine replacement — which exceeds a minimum of $5,000.
FAQs
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Can I drive with a leaking timing cover gasket?
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Will insurance cover timing cover gasket repair?
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A published columnist, automotive journalist, former service writer and ASE Automobile & Light Truck Certified technician (A1 – A9 – 1996 – 2006), Tim Charlet brings nearly four decades of automotive communication experience to the team at Jerry.
Charlet has written more than 10,000 articles, blogs and technical manuals for the automotive industry. His experience working with OEM & aftermarket manufacturers, enterprise-level dealerships and private service technicians provides him with a unique perspective on how modern cars, trucks and SUVs operate and are serviced.
Additionally, his years of digital marketing content & public relations experience provide a conversational, yet easy-to-follow writing style for both professionals and general consumers.
Along with writing for Jerry, Charlet also works with multiple automotive detailing product manufacturers, creating user-friendly and eco-friendly detailing and vehicle protection liquids.
He is also the co-founder of Right2Breathe.org, a non-profit organization dedicated to raising awareness for COPD, Asthma and other respiratory diseases within the automotive industries.
Everett Cook is an award-winning journalist and editor with more than 10 years of experience across a variety of industries. In editing for Jerry, Everett’s mission is to help readers have a better understanding of the costs of owning or leasing a car and to better understand their vehicle in terms of insurance and repairs. Prior to joining Jerry, Everett was an editor for Axios. His previous work has been featured in The New York Times, The Los Angeles Times, The San Francisco Chronicle, The Atlantic, Atlantic Re:think, The Boston Globe, USA Today, and others. He’s also been a freelance writer and editor with experience in SEO, audience building, and long-term content roadmaps. Everett is a proud graduate of the University of Michigan.
