Ok well heres the deal, i have many people check out my car as it has been losing oil at a high rate(not too high, but about a quart a week), and its dripping off of the back of the block, and its all caked in oil in the back side of the block. Could this be my head gasket or maybe my valve gasket. Because ive been told one by some people, and the other by some people. Now wouldnt my car be leaking coolant as well before it started leaking oil if it was my head gasket, because i have not lost any coolant at all, unless if that only happens some times. Its the 99 eclipse RS with the 420a engine. Thanks.

Replace the valve cover gasket. Make sure you ask the parts guy if the gasket needs RTV or not. I wouldn't think it does. If that doesn't fix it jack up the radiator cap and slid a new car under it. Really, if the headgasket was blown you would have water and oil mixing, making a big mess. It could also be the PCV valve.

does anyone know what the cost is to have the Valve cover gasket changed. i know for the head gasket its 1k+ but if it is just the valve cover gasket what would the price range be around for that. Thanks.
Oh, and just to clear things up, i am not doing this myself. While i am going to college currently to learn how to work on engines, i dont trust my self yet with a car though to diagnose or fix it with somthing like this. The reason i am having this problem is even with shops (one being midas, another being a local shop that has been here for 30 years) midas says its my head gasket, and the other place said it was the valve cover gasket. Honestly, i dont trust midas as they seem to only be out there for money and not actually helping people. They have been wrong about alot of my stuff, and i have had to go back to get my car fixed from things they screwed up on multiple times. So i guess anymore info would be great. thanks

The General's Rule #1 DON'T GO TO MIDAS, HE FEELS THEY WILL SCREW YOU

Ok, that said... Here is my thought, after reading what has been said, this is a valve cover problem, easy fix also... (The following is my opinion, do not take this as fact) Midas has probably realized this and figured that if they charge you for a head gasket replacement, and then just replace the valve cover gasket (something that would have to be done on head gasket replacement) and then charge you for the head gasket, instant cash...

If it were me I would go with the local place, sounds like they know what they are doing and aren't out to screw you.

-General Chaos

As a footnote, I have been to Midas, once, when I was still in High School. The vehicle I had had a lifetime warranty on the muffler, they told me the muffler was free but they had to replace the entire exhaust system at the rate of about $300.00. I took this vehicle to school, for $60.00 I replaced the muffler and tailpipe, my shop teacher said that was all that needed replacing. It is my opinion they were just trying to line their pockets...

ok, well im gonna replace the parts a little later with more time and money. I do have one question, i found at alot of different places this engine sealing stuff that you put into the oil of your car and its supposed to make the gaskets all "swell up" and stop leaking and burning oil. Do they work or is that just a waste of money. Thanks

I believe you're talking about "stop leak". Stop leak is a temporary solution to a never ending problem. If you have access to some basic tools and an air compressor, a leak down test is a good way to determine a blown head gasket. Doesnt take any money, just a little time.

Basically there's a compressed air tip that screws into the spark plug hole and injects compressed air into the cylinder. If you feel air coming out of spark plug holes in the other cylinders (remove all spark plugs) or anywhere around the head, you've got a bad head gasket.

Otherwise a valve cover gasket replacement is a VERY simple job and shouldnt be difficult even for the most remedial students.

Well after alot of diagnosing and alot of help from 3 or 4 mechanics, we found it is after all my head gasket. I most likely wont do it myself with all the stuff that needs to come off especially the timing belt, i have the stuff like an engine stand and jacks and all the equipment to do it, but just dont want to screw it up and it would be my first major engine repair but all of the estimates that i have gotten so far are around $1000 or more. Is there anyway i can get this done cheaper anywhere or is that about what my only options are, or is it best that i just keep putting oil in and drive it till it dies then junk it. Eclipses arent that great of cars anyways, so i dont really care either way. Let me know guys, thanks.

The timing belt is easy. It has little marks that you line up. The head gasket is just bolts, If you can turn a wrench, you can change a head gasket. Buy the book and follow the directions. It really isnt that hard.

Well after alot of diagnosing and alot of help from 3 or 4 mechanics, we found it is after all my head gasket. I most likely wont do it myself with all the stuff that needs to come off especially the timing belt, i have the stuff like an engine stand and jacks and all the equipment to do it, but just dont want to screw it up and it would be my first major engine repair but all of the estimates that i have gotten so far are around $1000 or more. Is there anyway i can get this done cheaper anywhere
I am not sure you would want to get it done cheaper, at this rate if they are going to do it cheaper it is probably 'cause they are gonna cut corners. or is that about what my only options are, or is it best that i just keep putting oil in and drive it till it dies then junk it. Eclipses arent that great of cars anyways, so i dont really care either way. Let me know guys, thanks.
NO- don't junk it, if you are figuring on just junking the car soon anyways, you we be smartest to fix it.
First, Txchevy is right, although this job is in depth, it really isn't difficult, just time consuming.
Second, if you are thinking of junking it, what have you go to loose? If you screw it up, you were gonna dump it anyways, and if you fix it you can keep it that much longer.
Third, this could be quite a learning experience for you, whether or not you get it right you will learn a lot, better to learn on a shitty car than a good one. You sound like you have a good idea what is going on in a car and so with a book, this should be easy.

I know a girl who changed the timing chain on a '71 Ford LTD when she was 16, if she can do it so can you....

ok thanks for that, so by book do you mean a chilton manual or somthing, cause i got one of those after work today and am reading up on it.

yep.... that's what I was thinkin...

Ok just to let everyone know, i talked to a friend who worked for ford for 20 years and now rebuilds and modifies mustang engines for fun is gonna assist me in doing this job of replacing the head gasket. From what i read in the manual it doesnt look to difficult, im just gonna need alot of tape and markers to label wires, timing, etc. but aside from that actually taking the top half off and replacing all of the gaskets neccessary doesnt look to hard. Im gonna post pics once i start doing it(gotta just wait for parts, and then starting), ill probably be on here alot asking questions as the other guy drives cement trucks and works on cars so he is busy alot. He also told me that i should get my valves and valve seats machined at a shop with a 3 angle machine work thing done(not sure exact term he used, i was look at the car at the same time he was telling me this stuff). Does this sound like a good idea as the car does have 143000 miles on it? I just want other peoples opinions, not that his isnt good enough, but i just wanted some other ideas of what may be good to do while i have the top half of the engine off. Any info or pointers will be appreciated, thanks guys.

I wouldn't spend the money on the valve work. If you pull the head and it looks bad I would just replace the head with one from a junk yard. A mitizu head cant be more than a 100 bucks used from any bone yard, which is going to be cheaper than having the valve work down. The flip side is that if you do get it done the 3 angle valve job will allow the heads to flow better. I would REPLACE the head bolts with new bolts. Head bolt stretch and the torque values with change. If you have to reuse the old bolts make sure you torque the head bolts in the right order and use about ten FTLBS less than it calls for. the book may even address this issue and follow the direction per the book. Hope than helps.

thanks man, ill take a look into it, i appreciate it

It looks like TxChevy has covered it, good luck and keep us posted.

Hey man im experiencing the same problem except mines leaking antifreeze and oil together i was also told by a friend that both sides should be replaced because the otherside will go bad sooner or later anyways so it should be replaced

Hey man im experiencing the same problem except mines leaking antifreeze and oil together i was also told by a friend that both sides should be replaced because the otherside will go bad sooner or later anyways so it should be replaced
both sides of what? its a 4 cylinder

He has a mustang. Either V6 or 8. That would have two.

Its deff. a valve cover, buy it and do it yourself, it is seriously really easy to do and will save u lots of $$

He has a mustang. Either V6 or 8. That would have two.
well since we are in the context of the 4 cylinder 420a I assumed he was referring to the original posters car.

Replace the valve cover gasket. Make sure you ask the parts guy if the gasket needs RTV or not. I wouldn't think it does. If that doesn't fix it jack up the radiator cap and slid a new car under it. Really, if the headgasket was blown you would have water and oil mixing, making a big mess. It could also be the PCV valve.



It'd be odd if it did need RTV... Come to think of it, I don't know any gasket (MLS, Felpro, etc.) that mandates RTV, I've only heard of it as a recommendation, at most.

Well, you need to use RTV on chevy intake gaskets and rubber gaskets for chevy valve covers. The cork style you do not. Never hurts to ask, which is what I said to do.

sorry forgot he had a 4 banger

Just an update, i got the car all drained of fluids and stuff like that on friday to work on it saturday and sunday. I was unable to work on it because my girlfriends stupid horse spooked and head butted me straght in the face while i was holding him, so i have a concussion. I have a question, is it ok to leave the car emtpy of all that stuff just for this week until I am allowed to work on it, or should I pour some more oil in and coolant and stuff, as well as get the fuel pressure back to normal? Any info would help. Thanks guys.

No need to do all that. I would only be concerned if it were going to be an extended period of time, like three or four months...

Well i did it without too much trouble, finally. Replaced all the gaskets, the bolts, got a valve job, cleaned the top half, replaced the timing belt and waterpump. The car is running at 110%, and after 2 days and 300 miles, the car hasnt lost any oil. Got a decent kill with the car too. Wasnt intended, but was at a light with a ricestang(it was v6 and had a huge fin on it and like 20" chrome spinners and dual exhuast, i think he thought the spinners created propellers to speed him up) and i got him by about 1 length by 45, then i stopped cause i didnt want to speed. Anyways, thanks for the help guys, the info helped me out, ill probably come ask more stuff later on.

Glad to see ya got through it... Not that hard to do, just a bit intimidating cause of how in depth it was, eh?