Gotchya!
Well...regarding the new valve cover: if it’s not corrected it’s fine under “most” conditions (take my 140,000 mile 2007 Yukon for instance...I’ve been lucky). It can, however, end up resulting in cracked spark plugs and definitely will result in carbon build up which will result in lower performance, lower mpg, and possibly even engine failure!! Here’s a good article I found at Valvoline that I believe explains it well:
https://team.valvoline.com/diy/truth-behind-carbon-buildup
The updated rocker cover is only $110 and can be replaced by you two for free (lots of great YT instructional videos). That’s some good insurance knowing that this is a real issue with potential repair costs MUCH higher if not addressed (not to mention paying more at the pump due to loss of MPG). You guys have paid wayyy more than that with collision insurance on the off chance of getting into an accident.
And with a simple to install oil catch can ($25-$300 depending on which version you get) you’ll have even greater insurance “blow-by” isn’t reaching your intake manifold contributing to carbon buildup in the valves.
So to summarize, you could rectify this current and real problem by investing only $150 (or more depending on the catch can you use) and a bit of your time (which ultimately could be described as good, fun couples time where you two could make it a date night and do the work together
).
I’m sure others will add to it this even further and completely agree.