About to replace the valve cover gasket on my '08 MCS due to a vacuum leak (P1497 code), likes to "rev high" on idle, otherwise drives perfectly fine. Visible inspection reveals oil on the front of the valve cover (drivers side). Question is, should I replace the valve cover gasket or the entire valve cover? I'm sure plenty of people on here have been through this before.


Thank you in advance.

 

Check the valve cover for oil residue leaks on top, near the spark plug area sometimes and also check all the hose connection to the valve cover, main one to the intake tube with the little U clip and the one on the back that runs to the back of the intake manifold. If those connections are ok, then look for the valve cover replacement.

Here is a link for the newest version N14 Engine Valve cover ( Cooper S/ JCW ).

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ment-help.html



Thanks

 

A few things…. 1.) if you buy the gasket from Mini it comes with spark plug gasket / o-rings as well – apparently you can get oil leaks down into the plugs. 2.) when I did mine I went ahead and replaced the plugs as well just in case 3.) the damn cover (like many other things in a very hot engine) is plastic – my cover was actually warped and my mechanic was the one that confirmed - replaced valve cover as well….. car was running hot and this turned into several other major areas to be addressed.

Good luck…. FYI – 2007 Justa

 

If you are talking about the area on the right side of the picture above just in front of the right coil/plug wire, it actually may be oil leaking from the turbo oil line.

If the oil line on top of the turbo is leaking then it will blow oil back onto the valve cover when the car is in motion.

As far as the valve gasket goes, you can buy just the gasket or one comes with the valve cover as a kit. (At least mine did).

 

Paint that ***** yo!

 

 

Yeah my turbo oil-feed line is leaking too. That was next on my list but since the valve cover gasket may be causing the vacuum leak I'm going to do that first. Lots o' fun!

 

I've read a number of postings where the valve covers have warped. How would you know whether you need a new valve cover or just the gaskets?