1995 Accord V6 valve cover seal change

I'm new to this board, so please be patient with me. My wife has a
1995 Accord V6. She got her oil changed at Sears auto center, and
immediately after this the car started leaking oil. She brought it
back once or twice, but they said they didn't cause the leak,
whatever. She brings it into the dealer, who fixes the ignition coil
for free as a part of another problem. They said there is a 'leak in
the engine head side covers, needs new seals'. The parts are $28, but
there is 3 hours labor, $230.00. OK, here's my question: are the
engine head side covers the same as the side valve covers ? If so, why
would it take 3 hours to change the seals on these? It doesn't look
like that much of a job, can anyone who has done this job comment?
Like are the bolts on the cover that faces the firewall impossible to
get to? Thanks...

 

Well that's because the dealer is trying to charge you as much money as they
thing they can get. The gaskets for the side covers LIST at about 10 bucks
a piece, and if you buy them online you get them for about 7 bucks each.
It's a pretty easy job (although I'm speaking from doing this a couple of
times on 89 acura legends which have the same basic engine). Definitely not
worth 230. I'd find another place to take my car.

 

The website below shows a picture of a `95 head just like any other
ordinary Honda. You are being had. Like someone said, take the labor
eleswhere but do buy the seal set from the Honda only. Other seal
manufacturers may fail on you.

There's only one cover called cylinder head cover.

I do it in 10 minutes.
Rick


http://www.hondaautomotiveparts.com/auto/jsp/mws/prddisplay.jsp?inputstate=5&catcgry1=Accord&catcgry2=1995&catcgry3=2DR+EX&catcgry4=KL4AT&catcgry5=CYLINDER+HEAD+COVER

 

http://www.hondaautomotiveparts.com/auto/jsp/mws/prddisplay.jsp?inputstate=5&catcgry1=Accord&catcgry2=1995&catcgry3=4DR+EX+V-6&catcgry4=KA4AT&catcgry5=CYLINDER+HEAD+COVER+%28V6%29

It's not any other ordinary Honda.

Yeah, but you'd only change half of them. Is there much more stuff in the
way on the six?

 

Sorry for the mixup. Here's the correct V6 gasket below. Appears like
ordinary twin cams. Legends twin cams I can do in 40 min with only
hoses, cables and a few others in the way, if I remember.
Rick

http://www.hondaautomotiveparts.com/auto/jsp/mws/prddisplay.jsp?inputstate=5&catcgry1=Accord&catcgry2=1995&catcgry3=4DR+EX+V-6&catcgry4=KL4AT&catcgry5=CYLINDER+HEAD+COVER+%28V6%29


http://www.overnightautoparts.com/honda-accord-acc-v6-001.html

 

I think he is talking about the side cover gaskets...

http://www.slhondaparts.com/browse.asp?Model=ACCORD&Year=1995&TrimLevel=4DR+EX+V%2D6&TransLevel=4ATKA&Section=A&Category=E++1003%7CCYLINDER+HEAD+%28REAR%29+%28V6%29&Doors=4&Emissions=KA&PartCatalogId=13SV40&ViewParts=true

Number 10...

 

Thanks for the responses! Well yes I think I'm talking about the side
cover gaskets, but I'm not sure, since the dealer called them engine
head side covers. I haven't been able to see for sure where the leak
is coming from, I know it's not the drain plug and I am pretty sure
it's not the filter. There is gunk beneath both side valve covers,
but haven't pin-pointed a drip. Looking at the Haynes book for this
model engine, the description for changing the gaskets seems fairly
easy, although I would have to buy a torque wrench to do things
'right'. I can't see much in the way of the bolts on these covers, so
why 3 hours of labor ? I will probably call and ask them, it's just
not making sense.

 

Thanks for the corrections, folks! By the look of the side covers and
never changed one, the bottom portion of the seals appear to sit on
the way of oil forced by gravity. A clog in the crankcase vent system
or changing oil, for example, could increase the leak. Not familiar
with the engine configuration, but if one of the side covers is on the
firewall side, it may be hard to get to. Working at a normal pace
would probably account to about two hrs on average.(IMO)
Rick