valve cover leaking, what a surprise on a 98!

freestyla · #1 (**permalink**) 08-02-04, 10:51 PM

ok, i just got my car back from the dealer, and they said that both of my valve covers are leaking oil! they said that the minimum amount of $ it would cost is $700!!!!! OMG ARE U KIDDING ME!!!! thats ridiculous. so of course i wanna find another place to get it done, so i was wondering what parts do i need? new valve cover, gasket,...? and how much did u have to pay to get this done? i need help with this asap cause i have to get it fixed tomorrow morning! thank u
-tony f.

**Vesicant** · #2 (**permalink**) 08-02-04, 11:13 PM

Its that expensive because of how much work has to go into getting to the valve covers... the engines fairly set back into the firewall. And depending on how serious they think it may be... new valve covers could be needed.

try this website for part prices:

Http://www.cadillac-parts-dealer.com

Otherwise, you could stop by an autozone or something and see if they have gaskets in... valve covers even.

freestyla · #3 (**permalink**) 08-03-04, 09:25 AM

the dealer said the problem just started, just does that mean that i might only have to get the gaskets? how much would that run me?

freestyla · #4 (**permalink**) 08-03-04, 09:36 AM

i got another question, that cadillac website u gave me sells oem parts, so would i still order 1998 catera valve gaskets and covers?, because i don't want to have to fix it again later! could i use parts from a 2000 catera?

**Vesicant** · #5 (**permalink**) 08-03-04, 09:55 AM

Take out one of your sparkplug wires and see if thats coated in oil, or if theres oil in the plug area. Then its getting serious.

Best to stay with the same model year.

rchurchman2002 · #6 (**permalink**) 08-03-04, 10:31 AM

I have a 98 with oil around the spark plugs and cadillac says for the valve cover gaskets, (also the oil cooler $546 oem part) it will cost a total of $700. How much time to i have before something really gets F'd up if i dont romp on it? Also, what is the worst case scenario?

freestyla · #7 (**permalink**) 08-03-04, 10:56 PM

hey JefferyG, do u know if the gaskets and the covers from http://www.cadillac-parts-dealer.com/parts.htm will be the new design, or the old design that will leak again?

**Vesicant** · #8 (**permalink**) 08-03-04, 11:33 PM

Id think they would be the new design. The reason why i dont think you could use the 2000+ design, is because those models use coil on plug ignition and there could be height differences, etc.

freestyla · #9 (**permalink**) 08-11-04, 10:58 PM

ok, i should be getting the valve covers in a week, and i picked up the gaskets already! the gaskets r 4 rubber circle things, is that right, it looks kinda funny, and the set also came with a bunch of little 0-rings. anything else i should get to fixed the oil leaking problem?

freestyla · #10 (**permalink**) 08-11-04, 11:39 PM

has anyone ever fixed the valve cover oil leak buy buying parts seperatly like at www.cadillac-parts-dealer.com? or does everyone just go to the dealer?