I have a 2014 Accord Coupe LX-S with 60k miles. I started seeing some oil leakage from the head gasket a couple of years ago, and the valve cover gasket has been leaking for a few years. These are expensive repairs (particularly the head gasket), is it risky to keep driving it without replacing them or should I get them replaced right away? The civic I had before this had a leaky head gasket for the 15+ years I owned the car, but nothing every happened. How critical is it to replace them right away?

 

Head gaskets typically dont leak oil. Most likely, the valve cover gaskets are leaking and the oil is running down the cylinder head to the head gasket area. I try to fix the highest know oil leak on the engine, then revaluate. The valve cover gasket sets are fairly inexpensive if you do the work yourself.

If you don't fix the oil leak, you must be diligent in checking your oil level and top off the oil so you don't run low. If you run low on oil, you will have internal engine damage to the bearings and piston rings.

 

Thanks, good to know. Initially I saw a lot of oil film buildup on the block underneath the valve cover gasket, but within the last couple of years I've noticed a lot more on the entire block and even down underneath the oil pan. I'm going to crawl under next weekend and take a closer look at everything. I'll post some pictures.