So, my 03 Mini w/ a gazilion miles today started leaking oil out the back side of the valve cover. (at least from a quick look, looks like its coming from that area). While trying to pin point the leak I started to take off the oil cap and noticed that there was quite a bit of pressure under there. Kinda like taking off the coolant tank cap w/ the engine warm. I had only run the engine for a short time when I noticed the leak. Warmed if up for five minutes, and then drove a block and a half and started noticing burning oil smell.

What things should I check?

I'm thinking pcv valve -
hoses routing the oil catch can - (installed over 100k miles ago following Altas instructions)

What else?

I remember reading a thread awhile back about someone's valve cover exploding - but for the life of me I can find it using the search.

Thanks -

Nik

 

i think you're on the right track. there should be no pressure build up inside the crankcase. the pcv system prevents that. my guess is the catch can routing. did you route both lines from the valve cover into the can, like alta used to tell customers to do? if so, check/clear all vacuum lines and route the lines back to normal. then install the can only on the line with the pcv valve on it (the left one when looking at the engine).

 

Just went and looked at the cc tube routing. Both lines are going to the catch can and the grey tube is capped. I forgot what the original routing of the line on the right (drivers side) was......

What I don't get is what changed - Ive been running it this way for over 100k.

 

Nothing like quoting yourself -

Think I figured out what changed - ICE. Just took off the OCC and I guess I hadn't emptied it for awhile and it was close to full and was somewhat slushy. Must have frozen overnight and clogged the hoses/ OCC.

Think I'll go ahead and replace the gasket this week, and empty the OCC more often

Nik

 

while you are at it, reroute the hoses. even alta has revised how to route the hoses due to problems with the set up you currently have. click the "homebrew catch can" link in my sig. this way the pcv system will work as originally designed. i have never gotten water in my catch can, just oil.