Timing chain cover gasket

Millie

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Has anyone replaced this gasket on a '08 Corolla, and how hard is it to do yourself? (The reading I've done on it has just made me confused, as always.) Is $800 the right amount for the car dealership to do it? They said it wasn't an emergency, and I could wait a bit to get it done.
 
Try not to go to the stealership for anything. Except warranty work. Find a small mom and pop type independent repair shop. Ask friends family read reviews etc. Much better work and much better pricing. 99% of the time.
 
Try not to go to the stealership for anything. Except warranty work. Find a small mom and pop type independent repair shop. Ask friends family read reviews etc. Much better work and much better pricing. 99% of the time.
I'll ask around, but our teeny town doesn't have a car person, that I know of. There used to be one, but the place is closed now.
Thanks for responding.
 
I think you mentioned you may be in or near Wagram?

One of my office mates has a shop in Laurinburg called A1 auto repair. I give him hell about such a creative name. Lol.

If you want to talk with someone there, the number is 910-534-1234. They are located at 10444 McColl Street in Laurinburg.

I'm not sure who you will talk to if you call this morning, but the owner's name is Bernard.

You may be speaking to his manager, if you call, but if you do speak to Bernard, tell him you got his name from Troy.

Sent from my SM-G920V using Tapatalk
 
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......if the leak isnt too bad. Clean the leaking area with a degreaser and an old toothbrush. Let it dry. Put a dab of rtv or "The right stuff" on your finger and mash it into the leaky area. Then apply a little more on top without mashing it in. Sometimes this works on small leaks.
 
Alot of the time that breaks the seal on you oil pan gasket too (dealing with this right now myself on a Chrysler). Probably plays into the high price.
 
I bet if there is any oil leak, and Im not talking about some bull crap "seepage' or 'wet spot", it could possibly be a crankshaft seal. Which better not cost any more than $150.00 to fix.
 
I think you mentioned you may be in or near Wagram?

One of my office mates has a shop in Laurinburg called A1 auto repair. I give him hell about such a creative name. Lol.

If you want to talk with someone there, the number is 910-534-1234. They are located at 10444 McColl Street in Laurinburg.

I'm not sure who you will talk to if you call this morning, but the owner's name is Bernard.

You may be speaking to his manager, if you call, but if you do speak to Bernard, tell him you got his name from Troy.

Sent from my SM-G920V using Tapatalk
Thanks for the information, I appreciate the great lead!
 
Do not go back to that dealer.

@Millie , is there oil on the ground after the car sits or no?
Well, the car is on sandy, dark ground, but next time I go out, I'll move the car and see what I can see.
Is the oil in that section of the car from the same supply as the engine oil? I used to know what I was doing under the hood of a car, but that was decades ago, and I have no clue what's under the hood in this "new" car! In my day, we used to do lots of the stuff ourselves, and now I can't recognize anything under there....The online photos made no sense at all. I'm old, I guess....sigh...
I do get regular oil changes and nobody has ever said I was going thru lots of oil.
 
Well, the car is on sandy, dark ground, but next time I go out, I'll move the car and see what I can see.
Is the oil in that section of the car from the same supply as the engine oil? I used to know what I was doing under the hood of a car, but that was decades ago, and I have no clue what's under the hood in this "new" car! In my day, we used to do lots of the stuff ourselves, and now I can't recognize anything under there....The online photos made no sense at all. I'm old, I guess....sigh...
I do get regular oil changes and nobody has ever said I was going thru lots of oil.
Yes it's the same oil, if you have cardboard, lay it under the engine and leave it. If you don't have a drip, I honestly wouldn't worry about it at all. If you start seeing a slow drip spot overnight, look into places like others mentioned to make sure it's even the timing chain cover seal. There's a YouTube video of a lady that almost got ripped off on her Corolla for the same thing. Wasn't even her cover, or a leak. Dealer wanted $1000+
 
Well, the car is on sandy, dark ground, but next time I go out, I'll move the car and see what I can see.
Put some cardboard underneath the engine next time you park so you get a sense of how much is dripping.

I do get regular oil changes and nobody has ever said I was going thru lots of oil.
That's because they're just draining the oil and refilling, and probably not checking the level prior to draining the oil.
 
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I bet if there is any oil leak, and Im not talking about some bull crap "seepage' or 'wet spot", it could possibly be a crankshaft seal. Which better not cost any more than $150.00 to fix.
Well he didn't actually say "oil"...he said the gasket was leaking, which I took to mean maybe stuff could get in under the cover...and screw up the timing chain. Should have asked "leaking what"...
But everybody seems to think it's got to be oil...obviously I have no idea how these modern cars work...Lol.
But I have a lead on a mechanic nearby, so I'll have them take a look.
 
Put some cardboard underneath the engine next time you park so you get a sense of how much is dripping.

That's because they're just draining the oil and refilling, and probably not checking the level prior to draining the oil.
Ok, I'll do that cardboard thing.
And as for the changing of the oil, wouldn't they see leaking when they put the car on the lift to change the oil?
I hate when a car starts to have issues!
 
Also, it's possible a few bolts are loose. I've had a few cars with what I thought we're bad oil pan gaskets, ended up being a few loose bolts
That sounds better than a leaking gasket!
The only gasket I know about is a head gasket, which blew out in a car of mine years ago, and the car was never the same after getting it fixed.....
 
"Recommended Service" this lady has no leak from timing cover.
 
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Ok, I'll do that cardboard thing.
And as for the changing of the oil, wouldn't they see leaking when they put the car on the lift to change the oil?
I hate when a car starts to have issues!
Maybe, maybe not. It could not even be leaking. Could be spilled oil from someone changing it. Could just be a very slow seepage. The timing chain cover is just a plate basically, its nothing compared to a head gasket. Timing chain will be on the passenger side of the motor, top of it. You can look at it, down the side of the motor and see if you notice anything. If not, and nothing shows on the cardboard, I'd forget about it.
 
Timing chain cover gasket on an 08 Corolla?

Somebody chittin you.

You need to find a good reputable independent mom and pop shop look at it and even let you see with your own eyes whats going on.
I've got a number to call now.
Why do you think they're b.s.ing me? Is there no such thing as a timing chain cover gasket? Are they thinking because I'm old and female they can take advantage of me? I admit this is the only car I've ever owned that I didn't buy the repair book for....at least if I had I might know what's actually under the hood!! Shame on me....
 
I've got a number to call now.
Why do you think they're b.s.ing me? Is there no such thing as a timing chain cover gasket? Are they thinking because I'm old and female they can take advantage of me? I admit this is the only car I've ever owned that I didn't buy the repair book for....at least if I had I might know what's actually under the hood!! Shame on me....
They could be telling the truth, but A LOT of places rip people off. It's a lot bigger issue than is portrayed to the public.

Once, my sister got a flat tire, just needed it plugged. She went to a tire shop and then called my dad and asked if $160 to plug a tire was a fair price...........

My dad went down there, took the tire in the same shop and they plugged it for $20. I'd say atleast 70% of car places will rip you off, add extra work to the bill, or not even do the agreed upon work and still charge for it, if they know they can get away with it.
 
I've got a number to call now.
Why do you think they're b.s.ing me? Is there no such thing as a timing chain cover gasket? Are they thinking because I'm old and female they can take advantage of me? I admit this is the only car I've ever owned that I didn't buy the repair book for....at least if I had I might know what's actually under the hood!! Shame on me....

30 plus years in the business.

Future tip. Always ask them to show you the issues at hand. Make them prove the claims. I do for my customers. Even when I get 2nd opinions from other shop, always walk the customer out and show and explain to them what is or is no t happening
 
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....My dad went down there, took the tire in the same shop and they plugged it for $20. I'd say atleast 70% of car places will rip you off, add extra work to the bill, or not even do the agreed upon work and still charge for it, if they know they can get away with it.

Discount Tire stores will repair your flat at no cost :)
 
Do you check your oil level between oil changes?
Maybe once between changes. Never noticed it was down and I don't even carry but one quart of oil in the car. (I've never needed to add any, but I'm used to cars that are older and always carried lots of oil and antifreeze and water and brake and transmission fluids, all kinds of crap....this is the first car I've had that's been close to new when I got it, so the trunk is pretty much empty!)
 
"Recommended Service" this lady has no leak from timing cover.

Well, that's just sad, that you can't trust people!

And thanks to all the responses here, I'll be taking the car to the shop mentioned and see what they have to say. Since the car is getting older, I need to find a mechanic I can trust, I love my car and want to keep it for awhile!
 
I've got a number to call now.
Why do you think they're b.s.ing me? Is there no such thing as a timing chain cover gasket? Are they thinking because I'm old and female they can take advantage of me? I admit this is the only car I've ever owned that I didn't buy the repair book for....at least if I had I might know what's actually under the hood!! Shame on me....

Terms.....front cover gasket should be the same as timing gasket. Your timing chain parts and front main seal are under the front cover. Sometimes the front cover also meets the oil pan, head gasket and valve cover gasket. Hard to say without a good look, but by all means.........i would avoid a stealership...i mean dealership.
 
Oh.....and while ita on my mind.... As long as you dont have some immaculate concrete driveway and the leak isnt too bad.....just check the oil every week or 2 and add as needed....unless its a lot....as in a quart every 2 weeks or so.
 
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