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.
Real customers Jerry helped
Timing cover gasket replacement prices can change based on your car, your area, and the parts used. Jerry makes it simple to compare what people like you are paying today. Here are some real examples of customers we’ve helped lock in top deals on their timing cover gasket repairs.
Estimates are modeled based on real vehicle and location data; names have been changed. Actual prices will vary by shop, parts, and vehicle condition.
What affects the cost of a timing cover gasket repair?
Jerry helps customers track down great repair prices every day, and we’ve learned there are a few key reasons those prices can differ:
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 shop type:
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.
Your specific car:
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.
Specialty tools and fluids:
A timing cover gasket repair includes draining and refilling engine oil and coolants, which sometimes requires specialty tools to complete.
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.
What is a timing cover gasket?
A timing cover gasket is a seal that sits between your engine’s timing cover (a protective plate at the front of the engine) and the engine block. Its job is to keep engine oil—and sometimes coolant, depending on the design—sealed inside while the timing components do their work. When this gasket starts to fail, the most common sign is an oil leak from the front of the engine, which can show up as oily grime around the crank pulley area, a burning-oil smell, or drips on the driveway.
Even a “small” timing cover gasket leak is worth fixing sooner rather than later, because oil can spread onto belts, hoses, and rubber parts and shorten their life. The repair usually involves removing several front-engine components to access the cover, cleaning the sealing surfaces, and installing a new gasket (or sealant, on some engines) the right way—so it’s typically more involved than a simple valve cover gasket. If you suspect a leak, it’s smart to have a shop confirm the source first, since front-engine leaks can also come from the front crank seal, oil pan gasket, or valve cover and the best fix depends on the true culprit.
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.
Signs you need your timing cover gasket replaced
Spotting timing cover gasket problems early can save you money. Here’s what Jerry has seen real drivers experience—and what you should keep an eye on:
- Oil leak at the front: Fresh oil shows up near the front of the engine, behind the belt area, or dripping down the lower front.
- Oil spots under the car: New puddles or drips appear after parking—often closer to the front of the vehicle.
- Burning-oil smell: You notice an oily, burnt smell, especially after driving, if oil drips onto hot parts.
- Low oil level: You’re topping off oil more often than usual with no obvious leak elsewhere.
- Messy, wet engine front: The front of the engine looks oily or grimy even after wiping it clean.
- Oil on belts/hoses: The belt area looks damp or slick, and you may hear belt squeal because oil contamination reduces grip.
Your action plan: how to save
Get a clear diagnosis:
Ask the shop to show you where the leak is coming from (photo/video if possible) so you don’t pay to fix the wrong gasket. Customers use the diagnosis feature in the Jerry app to get confidence in their car issues before going to the shop.
Request an itemized estimate:
Have them break down labor hours, parts, and fees—this makes it easier to compare quotes and spot unnecessary add-ons.
Compare 2–3 reputable shops:
Call a couple independent shops and compare what’s included (not just the total price), especially labor hours and warranty. Jerry helps customers get real quotes from local shops in the app.
Bundle only what saves labor:
Ask what “while-you’re-in-there” items are genuinely cheaper to do during this job (and which can wait) to avoid paying for extra work you don’t need.
Protect your engine if you’re monitoring it: Keep the oil level topped off and check it regularly—preventing low-oil damage saves far more than any discount.
Can I do this repair myself?
For most drivers, this generally best left to the pros. It’s not just swapping a gasket—lots of parts have to come off to reach the timing cover, and sealing it correctly is picky. Here are some risks of doing the job yourself
- The leak comes right back. If the surfaces aren’t cleaned perfectly or the sealant is applied wrong, you can end up with ongoing oil (or coolant) leaks and have to pay to do it again.
- Broken parts and stuck bolts. Bolts can snap, plastic pieces can break, and some parts (like the crank pulley) can be very hard to remove without special tools.
- Worst-case risk (some engines): timing issues. If the job requires disturbing timing components and something goes back wrong, it can cause serious engine damage.
Other services to get alongside a timing cover gasket repair
When a timing cover gasket replacement is on your to-do list, it’s worth checking if other connected repairs are needed too—combining them can save you money. Jerry helps you find solid, transparent pricing for several services at once.
- Front crankshaft seal: Often replaced while the timing cover is off to prevent future oil leaks from the crank snout.
- Timing chain/belt & guides/tensioner: Easy access during the job, and worn components can cause noise, poor timing, or bigger failures.
- Water pump: On many engines it sits behind/near the timing cover, so it’s cheaper to do now than pay duplicate labor later.
- Oil pan gasket (front section): The timing cover typically overlaps the oil pan, so resealing the pan edge can stop persistent seepage.
- Camshaft seal(s): If your engine has them behind the cover, replacing them now helps avoid another front-of-engine leak.
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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Is the timing cover gasket repair covered under warranty?
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How long do timing cover gaskets typically last?
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.
