R56 Base N12 Engine. Installed a new Valve Cover and Gasket and it is leaking from the front right side near the vacuum pump. Is this a common leak point or possibly a bad cover/gasket? If I were to remove the cover/gasket, clean the areas really well and reinstall the cover/gasket with RTV sealant in that area would it still seal or is the gasket already ruined if removed/reinstalled? Thank you for the assistance!

 

Chances are pretty good you can reuse it. Use rtv gasket on top of head and circle all bolt holes with sealant. Since it leaked, you now know where you need it most. When you install valve cover run the bolts down barely finger tight, you should see a little ( very little) squeeze out in a couple spots. Let it sit for 30 to 60 minutes for rtv to set up a little. Read info on sealant, they will have different times for different brands, then finish tightening from center out in two or three passes..

 

Every manual and most "how-to" instructions say to add a small amount of black rtv sealant on both of the corners on that side(vacuum pump/valvetronic motor).

 

Yep clean it up, MINI uses this red spray tack when they did my timing chain.