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R56 Oil on top of Valve Cover?

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Old 09-24-2015, 09:11 PM
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Oil on top of Valve Cover?

2007 mini cooper s and everytime i open my hood, i always have oil pooled up on top of my valve cover, mainly in the bolt holes. is this a bad valve cover gasket?
 
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Old 09-24-2015, 11:58 PM
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pics would be great. From your words however it does sound like a valve cover gasket
 
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Old 09-25-2015, 05:40 AM
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A friend had the same problem on his 2009 JCW. He ended up needing to replace the valve cover gasket and valve cover.
 
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Old 09-25-2015, 06:13 AM
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Originally Posted by olson187
2007 mini cooper s and everytime i open my hood, i always have oil pooled up on top of my valve cover, mainly in the bolt holes. is this a bad valve cover gasket?
I have the same issue. Scroll down to post #12 or so. Lots of good info from PelicanParts and ECS :

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ease-help.html
 
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Old 09-25-2015, 08:47 AM
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Originally Posted by GAT
I have the same issue. Scroll down to post #12 or so. Lots of good info from ECS :

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

Thanks
 
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Old 09-27-2015, 05:55 PM
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Or it is coming from the oil line to the turbo. When they leak the oil gets blown up and back while driving and ends up on the top and front of the valve cover.

Pics would make it easier to tell
 
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Old 09-28-2015, 11:38 AM
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You can check that upper intake tube also and make sure its sealed in clipped in. Most of the time its the valve cover, but I have seen a few with the line seeping.
 
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Old 10-01-2015, 08:50 PM
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Old 10-02-2015, 09:49 AM
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Looks like it's the valve cover (see similar image below). You could clean up the area and keep an eye on it to confirm where it may be originating from or you can replace it with the updated valve cover, which comes with all the required gaskets and hardware, 11-12-7-646-555-BOE here.

 
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Old 10-04-2015, 02:29 PM
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I have found that even after replacing my valve cover it still has oil leaking onto the same area, it's not the valve cover, it's the two PCV hoses rubber O-rings that are worn on the passenger side. The rubber O-ring are supposed to create a seal around the PCV port, if the O-rings are shot, oil will seep out onto the valve cover. The turbo PCV port doesn't have an O-ring, but rather the hose diameter is what determine how well it seals, pull that hose out and clean the oil from inside and then re-insert the hose. These hoses seem to bloat after being under the hood for several years with all the intense heat.
 
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Old 10-19-2015, 07:06 AM
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Yep, thanks for the extra info on the valve cover systemlord. Had one get a hairline crack before and leaked on that side. Also had the upper driver side inlet hose seep oil
 
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Old 10-19-2015, 03:32 PM
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Originally Posted by ECSTuning
Yep, thanks for the extra info on the valve cover systemlord. Had one get a hairline crack before and leaked on that side. Also had the upper driver side inlet hose seep oil
Your welcome. I'll be changing out both the passenger side and driver side PCV/charge pipes soon.
 
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Old 10-20-2015, 03:14 AM
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It's not the factory valve cover, it's been replaced either with a new OEM or aftermarket from the name in the close up picture since it's missing the MINI logo that was on the original.
 
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Old 10-20-2015, 10:07 AM
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Just a note, the updated Genuine MINI cover does not come with the MINI logo as that part comes separate - 11-12-7-594-876. Image of updated cover below as a reference.


 
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Old 10-20-2015, 10:17 AM
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Originally Posted by sgscomps
It's not the factory valve cover, it's been replaced either with a new OEM or aftermarket from the name in the close up picture since it's missing the MINI logo that was on the original.
Mecaplast made them like that with the logo and were the OEM supplier. You can see it in the photos


We have the valve cover itselff and the extra sticker and and wings badge here:

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...lve-cover.html









Talked about it many times.
 
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Old 10-20-2015, 04:19 PM
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So is it the hoses that are the issue or the valve cover...or both? I am noticing residue around the spark plug wires on mine (60,000 miles) so I am assuming this fix will have to come sooner than later. My oil levels look more than fine though, never looked like low oil...granted the dip stick is horrible and hard to read. Anyway, would it be wise to replace the hoses and the valve cover at once or are the hoses more problematic than the cover itself?
 
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Old 10-20-2015, 04:23 PM
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Both are issues. I haven't seen too many hose issues, but maybe systemlord can give you input on that. The residue around the spark plug wires is common for the valve cover issue. There is a lot of info in this DIY HERE. Again, 11-12-7-646-555-BOE is the updated valve cover.
 
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Old 10-21-2015, 05:25 AM
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Originally Posted by tylewis
So is it the hoses that are the issue or the valve cover...or both? I am noticing residue around the spark plug wires on mine (60,000 miles) so I am assuming this fix will have to come sooner than later. My oil levels look more than fine though, never looked like low oil...granted the dip stick is horrible and hard to read. Anyway, would it be wise to replace the hoses and the valve cover at once or are the hoses more problematic than the cover itself?

Most of the time its the valve cover , which after a while if it has a hairline crack with trigger a check engine, but on a few cases the little clip that hold the hose is missing or not holding the hose in place. Hose not pushed in all the way , or clip not clipped down. Tabs break on the clips from removal. 13717570673

https://www.ecstuning.com/Search/SiteSearch/13717570673/









The hose can also swell a bit. Clean the valve cover off and wipe it up. Check your oil , then see where the oil appears again and if you can pinpoint it more.

Those are some things I would check first, then go to the main valve cover.
 
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