Does anyone have an extra valve cover laying around? Mine has a small hole down by the turbo which is slowly leaking oil and I need to replace it. Before I do that though I want to paint the new one.

 

I do, but I'm in the UK.

 

they're not too expensive from MINI... i mean they're no Honda K series cover :P but i think it's like $180 with seals... at least that's what i was quoted when i asked about a new one.

 

Ya...no its like $290 with out the seal.

 

Just out of curiosity, are you running a heat shield?

 

No heatshield. I changed my spark plugs the other day and my friend was commenting on some oil between the engine and valve cover and I traced it and found the hole.


Sorry for the crappy cellphone pics but, I need to charge my camera.

 

I have that same little hole in mine, I don't think that is your problem. Looks like the oil is coming from the gasket. I would hit it with some greased lightning or simple green and clean it up. watch it for a couple of days an see where it is really coming from.

 

I have the same thing but up around the top of my engine cover, never was a real problem though.... At $290 that better be one hell of a special cover :p

 

That is factory price for a new cover. And yes I have cleaned the engine about a bajillion times and that is what it looks like everytime.

 

Have you approached the Dealership about a "defect in materials and workmanship" even if the car is out of warranty? It is worth asking the question, the worst they can say is NO. You might be pleasantly surprised.

 

Ya I don't have the time to go up there and talk to them about it.

 

The hole you have pictured is quite normal, there is another on the back of the cover too, and both these are connected to 2 more mold cavity holes which can be found at the sprocket end of the engine, these cavity holes do not vent oil or vapour from the engine, your oil leak is most likely from the vent hose on the right of the cover which over time does leak, you've just saved yourself a few $$$.

 

Thanx. I guess I will get out there and take another good look at it and might end up trying to clean it up some more and find where the oil is coming from. I want to paint the valve cover cause I see no one has done that yet. Plus I did it on my last car. It is pretty easy and only takes a couple of hours.

 

Mine developed the same problem after the original warranty ran out. Fortunately, I have the extended factory warranty. First, they tried replacing the valve cover gasket, which did not fix the problem. Then, they replaced the valve cover, which fixed the problem. I think the heat from the turbo is causing the corner of the plastic valve cover to slowly deform over time, eventually giving rise to an oil leak. Good luck getting it fixed.

 

Does anyone have any instructions on how to take off the valve cover? Mine is just beginning to do this and I'd like to fix it before it gets worse.

 

Ya remove all the crap attached to the valve cover. Then unscrew all the bolts then remove. Replace gasket and cover and your done.

 

Sorry to bump an old thread, but my valve cover/gasket seems to also have sprung a leak, and I'm getting ready to order a new gasket ($40) to replace. The dealership quoted me $195 installed... Ouch.

Thanks for the pics, that's pretty much what mine looks like!

 

I just replaced my gasket bought the set for $40 at the dealer. Took off valve cover cleaned the edges replaced the rubber...haven't had any more leak its been a while now.

 

Should have painted it.

 

I got the same leaks. Is it really worth it to change the gasket, can it cause any important damage to my car ? I noticed it few days ago, I would like to know if I have to do something fast...

Thanks

PéO

 

I don't think it's a good idea to leave it leaking? I don't know about what damage I'm no mechanic but really doubt it's normal. It's only a $40 part why not replace it.

 

It's just that I'm not well installed to do mechanics, and I never did that kind of work. If it's worth it, I will do the repair, but if there is no emergency, I will wait. I don't want to cause a bigger problem by trying to solve a minor one

PéO

 

Depends on how bad your leak is, but if it's a small one, you can take your time. Still something you'll want to do, but unless it's really bad, you have time.

It's not difficult to do (I'm not much of a wrench monkey) but it only took me about an hour taking my time.

 

I had my valve cover replaced once (about 10-12 months ago) because of excessive heat warping the plastic. It caused a fairly quick oil leak and I thought I remember my MPGs drop.

Well, I think it is leaking again, i'm consuming about 1/2 qt in 500 miles so far, so about 1/1000mi, which i know is technically OK, but, I normally have no consumption between oil changes, so this is a drastic change. Again, my MPG has dropped now. I think the cover is under warranty (as im at 60k so i'm out of warranty), so it may be covered. Will just have to risk going back to the dealer and have them diagnose it and if its not the valve cover it'll be $80 or whatever diagnostic fee they charge.

Do others with this issue experience the same symptoms?

 

Ironic! Just noticed a very, very slight oil residue around my valve cover recently. I keep my engine clean which made it easy to spot so it looks like I'll be doing the gasket change. Anyone know the torque value for the cover bolts? NEVER MIND - FOUND IT.... 9 ft lbs