Glossary / Engine

valve cover

23 Episode Mentions

Too Afraid to Ask

Think of the valve cover as a protective lid on the top of your engine’s cylinder head. It keeps dust out and sometimes holds small parts like spark plug wires.

Technical Definition

The valve cover is a metal or plastic cap that sits on top of the cylinder head, covering the valves and valve springs. It protects these components from dirt and debris while also housing accessories like spark plug wires or coolant passages.

Hear It Discussed

"if your car is missing a valve cover or a whatever,"
Classic Car Buyers Beware — The Carmudgeon Show w Jason Cammisa & Derek Tam-Scott — Ep. 190 The Carmudgeon Show 19:00

"but he didn't tighten there are four big nuts on the top of the valve cover right and that's what holds the valve cover down right and squashes those o-rings between the cylinder head and the tube"
#2631: The MechanXfiles The Best of Car Talk 19:39

"[6482.3s] So I have ammo reflex on my cars. [6487.2s] Okay, don't judge an engine by its valve cover. [6490.9s] I'm looking at Turro, a C8 Corvette for a vacation."
Durango Hellcat Review; Waymo vs Taxi; Mercedes Update The Smoking Tire 48:07