Plastic Valve Cover & Spark Plug Cover Failure

[robinsone]

I'm wondering what is the useful life of of the plastic valve covers and/or the plastic spark plug cover/holder. I know the 3800 series is prone to fires and eventually all plastic will fail due to plastic embrittlement. When should I consider replacing or upgrading these parts to prevent failure or their eventual degrading into kindling...

Let me know your experience or advice

 

[Fivefingerdeathpunch]

It's the valve cover gaskets that leak, the covers arent really ever the issue.

New gaskets and grommets and you are set for another 100k easy.

 

[Slick2500]

The problem was never the valve covers or the spark plug retainer themselves, just leaky gaskets and the oil collecting in the spark plug retainer. Just replace the gaskets, check the cover for cracks, toss the retainer in the trash and call it a day.