Has anyone had to replace a cracked valve cover on a 06 MCS, if yes how do you get the cover off, and any idea of the cost for a new cover.

 

remove the black air diverter, (4 T30 torx), remove the black brackets in front of the intercooler (4 8mm bolts), remove intercooler, again t30 loosen only all 8, should be able to squeeze out intercooler, remove the two aluminum brackets ( the ones that support ther back section of intercooler) these are secured by 8mm bolts, once all that is done pull the wiring for the cam sensor and the ignition coil connector wiring off the studs for the valve cover bolts, all vavle cover bolts area 8mm, the studed one are stragetically placed to keep wiring in place. Can i ask how the valve cover got cracked?

 

Not to thread jack here but is this how you also get the the crank position sensor? Mine is leaking a little bit and needs to be replaced.

 

best way to get to the crank sensor is from the bottom, the modular front end will need to be slackened. the cps is just above the oil pan on the front of the block. I guess the answer is just "no" I would bet the oil leaking out of the inlet pipe to the supercharger is making your crank sensor leak look worse that it is,

 

Thanks for the quick reply Zuki, I am hoping I can remove the "cracked" valve cover myself as it is seeping oil pretty badly and I do not think I will be able to make it to the dealers for this replacement.
Now for the answer to your question, "how it got cracked"? well, this is kind of embarrassing to admit, but here goes, I was installing a new MSD coil pack and MSD ignition wires, while tighting the coil bolts and I heard a clicking noise. I started the car after the installation and noticed oil spraying out from behind the coil!, "Oh no!!! the cover was cracked.

 

I've seen several people crack valve covers putting on coil packs. I think I've got a used one if you still need one.

 

WayMotorWorks: I would be very interested in a used valve cover "in good condition" if you have one. If yes, could you give me a price, including shipping. Also do you have a new gasket for this installation? My e-mail address is hinkel.george@yahoo.com Thank You.

 

O.K. Guy's,
Just got off the phone with "WAY" from WayMotorWorks, he had a used Valve cover. He gave my a good price for this part and all the info I needed to know to install the cover. I would like to thank Waylen for the help and inform you all that if you need help or parts for your MINI, Waylen seems eager to help. And, I also would like to thank everyone on NAM for the help.
So, as they say at the MINI dealer, "Keep Motoring" and I will keep you informed in my installation of the valve cover. Geo.

 

After receiving a used valve cover from WayMotorWorks along with a new set of the required gaskets, I went to work to change out this cover. I was very surprised, all went well and was not all that difficult. You can be assured that this time I was real careful not to over tighten any of the bolts on any of the parts. I would like to thank everyone that helped me with suggestions and parts that helped me with this project. "Now Motoring again with no leaks" I would also like to say that WAY was very helpful and good people to deal with. Geo.

 

Ha! I cracked my valve cover doing the same thing! I just used some JB Weld on it...But my concern is, why would MINI make a friggin plastic valve cover!? Seems a little crappy doesnt it!?

 

MiniBistro, I see buy your post that you have done many mods to your MINI, this was my first!. But it turned out to be a learning experience for me and I enjoyed working on my MINI. As for why Mini would use a plastic cover, or as they would say "composite" cover, well, weight may have something to do with it and also cost. But, after calling the Mini dealer and asking about the price of a new cover and geting a quote of $376 dollars, I think the price works in there favor!. But as I said in an earlier post, everything worked out well and I am back to finger flipping on the road.

 

are here to stay. Take a look at most intake manifolds out there now. Lots and lots and lots are moving to composits as they develop formulations that can take the heat and stay dimensionally stable. They are lighter and cheaper. Lighter is important for MPG and weight balance. Cheaper keeps the total cost of the car down.

Now for all you who've changed thier own valve cover. It's just a tiny bit more work to install a new cam! Have at it!

Matt

 

I cracked mine installing the msd coil pack. It seems we overtightened the bolts which came with the pack from mini-madness.

I've ordered a new cylinder head cover from the dealership as I had no luck sourcing a used one locally. Does anyone have any documentation on how to replace this part?

Thanks

 

Motoko, Sorry to hear you did the same thing that I did while putting on the MSD coil. I was able to obtain a used valve cover after contacting the dealer and finding out the price of a new one,OWCHA!! Well live and learn.
Now, when you get your new cover, make sure you get a set of gaskets to go with it, both the cover gasket and the spark plug tub gaskets. The gaskets should be around $45.00 bucks, but they are worth it.
Now, the first thing I will say to you is "take your time"!! the job to remove your cracked cover is not that hard, I did mine and I am not a "mechanic" but it worked out fine. If your MINI is an "S" model, you will have to remove the intercooler to start, its not hard, (1) Remove intercooler cover, (2) Remove the intercooler sealing bellows clamps and intercooler cover mounting brackets (in the very front of the intercooler). After removeing all the brackets and bellows clamps, (3) Push the intercooler to the left and it will drop out. Next, remove the two intercooler mounting brackets that hold the intercooler cover, between the valve cover and the intercooler (if you dont remove these you cant get at two valve cover bolts to remove it). Now to remove the bolts holding down the cover you will have to have a deep well socket, their are three bolts with extended bolts that hold wire brackets, "remember where they go"! disconnect the wire connector on the left side of the valve cover, the wire on the right side of the cover (goes to the coil) just lift the wire holders off the extended bolts. Now, remove all the cover bolts and lift the cover off, (Might take a little nudge to move the cover) After you put the new gaskets on the new cover, just revers everything to reconnect. (VERY IMPORTENT) Before you put the cover back on, check around the oil return holes on top of the head for plastic peaces that might have broken off the old cover. Try and get them ALL!!. Good Luck, I hope this is a help to you. Also, All cover bolts and coil bolts are tightened to (9 ft-lb) of torque.

 

No need to order a new one! I used JB Weld on mine, and it works great! But I dont know how severe your crack is...

 

The crack is like 4 inches long and cracked about 1/4 inch apart

 

motoko, Although my crack was longer then yours,12" side to side, and about 1/8th inch open, I would be more worried about the plastic pieces covering the oil return holes (latter trouble with low oil pressure?) So, even if you do decided to JB Weld the cover I would take it off and check for plastic pieces. I found four pieces 1/2" round that came off the bottom of where the coil bolts go. Good Luck.

 

Thanks George,

I think I am going to JB weld it, or something similar so I can drive it 20miles down to my friends house where he has a complete workshop.

Now as 9 ft.lbs is not very much, I was wondering what the best way of applying this is, as most torque wrenches don't go this low.

Also, I noticed the stock coil pack had blue loctite on the threads. Is this recommended? And as there is a low torque on the cover bolts, is it recommended there too?

This is the part which I ordered
http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts...=11&fg=15&hl=2

It comes as a kit with all the gaskets and everything. George, I assume when you said spark plug tube gaskets, you meant what they are calling part 5) seal?

 

It looks like what you ordered is everything you need to do the job, and then some. I did not use the blue loctite on my bolts, the coil bolts have rubber rings that go both top and bottom on the bolts, be sure and reuse them!!!!. they will help keep the bolts in place. Also, the valve cover gasket does not call for any sealent to be applied, I have checked for leakes after putting mine back on and have found none. As for the 9-ft.lbs. of torgue, when you remove the cover bolts, check to see how easy it is to remove them, and try and only use the same pressure to put them back on. 9-lbs is not that much.

 

I really just wanted to order the cover and the gaskets, but the dealer said that it all comes as a kit. You can't get the particular part. I'll probably reuse what I can and save the new spare parts.

 

Good Luck to you and let us all know how things work out.

 

Hey, I also cracked my cover putting the MSD coil on, I also temp fixed it with 2 stage expoxy until the replacement cover came. Wow those bolts the sent were the right size, even lubed bolts but the nuts inside the cover are a weak design. Live and learn....The MSD coil also caused an intermittent spark and the car ran like crap, thought it was bad gas but I put the coil back on and the car ran great..I can't win!

 

Mike wrote:
I just saw this posting. I had my valve cover melted, due to high turbo heat. Do you still have one?? I have a 09 JCW. Call me if so 310.433.5332

 

WOW empire007 you must have had some kind of heat.

 

I broke the end off mine by dropping it on the cement while changing the gasket. JB Weld fix it up fine. In fact I even had the valve cover Powder coated with the repair and it held up fine under the heat of 400 degree's for 30 minutes in the powder coat chamber. So why not just repair the crack you have with a $5 JB Weld?