It's a good time to buy a valve cover...
 

So if you're in need of a valve cover for your r56, as I was, just pop on over to Ebay. They're about 150-200$ cheaper than they used to be a few months ago, and they're the exact same ones with the "mechaplast" logo on the driver side and everything. I'm guessing there's an excess stock over at the supplier and they're vacating it. Just thought I would give those in need a heads up.

Have there been an issues with the ones from Ebay? These are not Mini OEM. I just got a 1497 code so research is pointing towards a new valve cover.

-nels

I don't think there will be any issues, as the ones I've seen on ebay are the exact same ones sold by the vendors. You can even check the pictures against one another, and the part numbers and all that. The one I received matched the picture from the ebay seller, as well as the pictures from 3 different vendors, who are selling the exact same valve cover. I haven't looked under the hood to see if the OEM one I've still got has the "mechaplast" logo but even if it doesn't, obviously the one that everyone (ebay and the vendors) is selling is good enough.

Ok, yeah these are all cheap knockoffs. But I'm willing to take the risk of purchasing one, they actually have a warranty, some even 2 years. But I'm wondering if they'll honor it. Many of these vendors simply have made up names and some of them repost the same valve cover to make it appear as if they're a different vendor. The cheapest ones that I see are about $125 vs. $139. The $139 has the mechaplast logo.

Yeah they might be knockoffs, but they're the same ones that the non-ebay vendors are selling, otherwise idk why the non-ebay vendors would feature the same pictures with the mecaplast logo. So I see no problem in buying one from ebay. I bought one of the ones for $140 that specifically said "valve cover with gasket set" in the description and title (it has the mecaplast logo). It arrived in perfect shape and it has the little baggy with both the red pull tap, and the small black cap for the 2nd port on the re-designed valve cover. It's more towards the center of the back of the valve cover, between the pcv valve inlet and the driver's side of the car. The instructions that accompany the valve covers state that this port is blocked off for U.S. model mini coopers.

According to wikipedia, Mecaplast corroborates with Peugot, BMW, VW and a whole host of other automotive companies, so I don' think these valve covers are necessarily knockoffs. I just think the reason that they're so cheap is that some supplier just has a glut of them, or these vendors on ebay found a way to buy them straight from the mecaplast factory (I'm guessing one of the ones in China), and are selling them for only a small profit.

I'll add that I saw 2 different vendors (I won't say which ones, but one is active on this forum) state that mecaplast makes the OEM valve cover for Mini. So unless someone can prove that these are copies, down to the counterfeit mecaplast logo, I'm sold.

It goes without saying that I'm not putting this thread out there to undercut any vendors (I've bought many parts from them over the years), I just wanted to let people in on the deal I found for an identical product.

That's a really good deal. Half the price of the last two I've replaced.

Is the 2nd revision cover a lifetime fix or does the PCV valve still fail? I replaced my original cover about 45K miles ago and recently my oil consumption has been increasing, but at 90K could be expected.

No oil on the outside of the second cover, but is this still another Mini maintenance item?

I suspect I may need a new valve cover (mostly for the PCV valve), can you tell me what to search on eBay to come up with the covers you are mentioning? Also, I've searched, but is there a definitive step by step guide to replacing this oneself? I've seen some videos that look pretty straight forward, but I feel they may be edited with a lot of pre-work not shown. Any help would be appreciated.

I'm a newbie here ...one week owner of a 2009 Mini Cooper Justa but already having burning oil smell issues and a constant CEL on .... love the car, hate the possibility I have a lemon ...

Only see the N14 valve covers on eBay (OEM part # 11127646555), but most of the listings indicate they are valid for the 07-12, including the ones with the 'mecaplast' logos on them.

Prices are way less than previously shared too at $54.99 including shipping.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/New-Engine-...wAAOSwqYhZu-lR

Can I use this generic ebay one on my N18 (2011) MCS even though they have different part #'s (from Mini)? OEM Part # for N18 is 11127646552

The N18 and N14 valve covers are different, and NOT interchangeable. There is some overlap in what engine was used for which year. N14 engine continued in the JCW models up to 2012. While the N18 engine started its life in 2011 in the S models, it wasn't adopted into the JCW cars until 2013.

If you are going to buy from Ebay, make sure you get the correct cover.

Why do people say that a cover or anything cheap, is a knock off? Blows my mind! Go on rockauto and see how cheap parts are for any car. We've been getting ripped off for years by a lot of parts suppliers. Every search I do, rockauto, Amazon and Ebay, I search for lowest price plus shipping. I have NEVER been disappointed. I have spent tens of thousands on car parts. I currently own six cars. There is no way I would be able to own them if I didnt shop that way.
example, 2005 dodge ram, windshield wiper transmission 150 to 300 I was quoted for replacement part. I found the arms on rock auto for $17 plus ten for shipping. Something very wrong here boys.

ECS has one for about $166 that comes with a 3 year warranty. Tried it because my $99 ebay special failed.

2008 MCS N14

where? the ones i see are over $300

We have them here: Part# 11127646555

https://www.ecstuning.com/News/MINI_...Technic_27258/

https://c1552172.ssl.cf0.rackcdn.com/1094060_x800.webp

Hello all:

2009 MCS w/ 134,000 miles. Replaced first valve cover at 79,000 with a $330+ one, which pissed me off.

Had the P1497 CEL and my indie said valve-cover was bad. So, I took a chance and installed $55 Ebay valve cover:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/New-Engine-...53.m2749.l2649

this past weekend. It was "identical" to the one I had, down to logo 'Megaplast'. Anyway, after 1-day of driving, CEL is off, life is good, and I have one less thing to complain about on my pos mini (which I still enjoy driving). I think I'll just replace valve cover every 50K miles going forward.

Hi Guys,

I'm sure some of you had had success with eBay valve covers but i have a different story. Installed mine with new seals and everything and oil was coming out of the top of the valve cover and through the cracks! Maybe it was just a faulty cover? Give it a try if you want and post back here! curious to see if anyone else has had problems.

Do you have pics of this ebay cover? I am running the HT one and already heat cycled it many times and its been fine.

I don't have any pictures of it. I returned it with no problems from the seller. I decided to buy one from ECS.

Ok, thanks for the order. :) We appreciate it.

On the ebay one wanted to see if it was split at the molding on the smooth top or at the heat vibration bonded joint. Which mean it was not bonding correctly.

My cover came in. What do I do with the little cap? Something about a red pull tab??
edit: holy crap its a good thing I compared the covers because somehow I ordered one for an n14

Post #40 Pull to inflate ;)

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...acement-2.html

Pull that out and replace it with the little dummy plug like below that comes in the baggy.

http://c1552172.r72.cf0.rackcdn.com/381998_x600.jpg

https://c1552172.ssl.cf0.rackcdn.com/382003_x800.webp

https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.nor...aac64a87e4.jpg

This is the N14 valve cover. ^^^



The N12/N16 Engine valve cover is here: 11127646554
https://www.ecstuning.com/Search/Sit...h/11127646554/

https://c1552172.ssl.cf0.rackcdn.com/520275_x800.webp



The N18 Engine Vlave cover is here: 11127646552

https://www.ecstuning.com/Search/Sit...h/11127646552/

https://c1552172.ssl.cf0.rackcdn.com/739669_x800.webp

Is this valve cover problem common in N18 Minis ?

It still can have issues, but not to the extent of the original N14 cover. It's really the age of the cars and miles. Hot to cold all the time and the internal system. I have seen on the 100K+ N18 some issues.