Valve Cover Gasket leaking prematurely?
#1
Valve Cover Gasket leaking prematurely?
I just recently noticed that my 09 has oil buildup around the valve cover gasket. It doesnt appear to be anything to be worried about, but at 37k, it seems a bit soon for something like this to start. Also the car's still under warranty so I'll be taking it in soon to have this replaced, but I figured I'd ask.
How many of you have had issues with leaking this early and is this a result of the turbo being so close and perhaps drying up the gasket? If so, would a turbo shield help out?
Thanks,
James
How many of you have had issues with leaking this early and is this a result of the turbo being so close and perhaps drying up the gasket? If so, would a turbo shield help out?
Thanks,
James
#3
#4
A local shop pointed out the leak and said that it just needed a gasket. The build up is very minimal; there's a bit of caking around the cover, and that's it.
I've actually replaced gaskets before on other cars, so that doesnt concern me even if the car is out of warranty.
I'm just wondering if the gasket is failing due to design or mucho heat from the turbo.
Thanks,
J
I've actually replaced gaskets before on other cars, so that doesnt concern me even if the car is out of warranty.
I'm just wondering if the gasket is failing due to design or mucho heat from the turbo.
Thanks,
J
#6
I just replaced the whole valve cover this weekend for the same problem. The whole thing comes as a kit (cover, gasket, oil cap). I'm not sure if you can replace just the gasket...I didn't try to pull the old one out of the valve cover and the new one was pre-installed (it's actually a rubber o-ring-style gasket). Total swap-out time (including poking around and oo-ing and ahh-ing and generally being a slow-poke) was about an hour.
I've heard that the most common cause of leaking is actually a warped valve cover. YMMV.
I've heard that the most common cause of leaking is actually a warped valve cover. YMMV.
#7
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#9
#10
Thanks all for the responses. It looks like I'll be paying a viist to the dealer soon.
Yeesh! I can't believe BMW didn't spend just a little more money to beef up parts of this car so that crap like this wouldn't happen. I would gladly pay up to 1k more if i knew that issues such as this were resolved.
Don't get me wrong, i love my car, but.. i'm just saying.
-J
Yeesh! I can't believe BMW didn't spend just a little more money to beef up parts of this car so that crap like this wouldn't happen. I would gladly pay up to 1k more if i knew that issues such as this were resolved.
Don't get me wrong, i love my car, but.. i'm just saying.
-J
The following users liked this post:
jk857 (06-15-2019)
#11
#12
Agreed, although failure at 20-40K seems early to me.
My comment was really in reference to all of the odd recurring issues with these cars... Fuel pumps, carbon build up, clutch issues, and now valve covers warping.. Oh and lets not forget the vehicle fires caused by the recent water pump issues, but I digress.
I love my Mini, I love my Mini, I love my Mini.
-J
My comment was really in reference to all of the odd recurring issues with these cars... Fuel pumps, carbon build up, clutch issues, and now valve covers warping.. Oh and lets not forget the vehicle fires caused by the recent water pump issues, but I digress.
I love my Mini, I love my Mini, I love my Mini.
-J
#13
Agreed, although failure at 20-40K seems early to me.
My comment was really in reference to all of the odd recurring issues with these cars... Fuel pumps, carbon build up, clutch issues, and now valve covers warping.. Oh and lets not forget the vehicle fires caused by the recent water pump issues, but I digress.
I love my Mini, I love my Mini, I love my Mini.
-J
My comment was really in reference to all of the odd recurring issues with these cars... Fuel pumps, carbon build up, clutch issues, and now valve covers warping.. Oh and lets not forget the vehicle fires caused by the recent water pump issues, but I digress.
I love my Mini, I love my Mini, I love my Mini.
-J
#14
02 VW Jetta 1.8T
This car was a pile and made my Mini reliability seem Lexus like in comparison. The car was so bad, i swore to never purchase a vw or company owned by vw ever again. The car had coil packs failures, electrical, window drop, engine fan failure to name a few.
Having said that, i loathed that car where as i do still really love my mini in a quirky, hesitant sorta way ;-).
This car was a pile and made my Mini reliability seem Lexus like in comparison. The car was so bad, i swore to never purchase a vw or company owned by vw ever again. The car had coil packs failures, electrical, window drop, engine fan failure to name a few.
Having said that, i loathed that car where as i do still really love my mini in a quirky, hesitant sorta way ;-).
#15
I just recently noticed that my 09 has oil buildup around the valve cover gasket. It doesnt appear to be anything to be worried about, but at 37k, it seems a bit soon for something like this to start. Also the car's still under warranty so I'll be taking it in soon to have this replaced, but I figured I'd ask.
How many of you have had issues with leaking this early and is this a result of the turbo being so close and perhaps drying up the gasket? If so, would a turbo shield help out?
Thanks,
James
How many of you have had issues with leaking this early and is this a result of the turbo being so close and perhaps drying up the gasket? If so, would a turbo shield help out?
Thanks,
James
#16
Thanks all for the responses. It looks like I'll be paying a viist to the dealer soon.
Yeesh! I can't believe BMW didn't spend just a little more money to beef up parts of this car so that crap like this wouldn't happen. I would gladly pay up to 1k more if i knew that issues such as this were resolved.
Don't get me wrong, i love my car, but.. i'm just saying.
-J
Yeesh! I can't believe BMW didn't spend just a little more money to beef up parts of this car so that crap like this wouldn't happen. I would gladly pay up to 1k more if i knew that issues such as this were resolved.
Don't get me wrong, i love my car, but.. i'm just saying.
-J
The following users liked this post:
jk857 (06-15-2019)
#17
#18
02 VW Jetta 1.8T
This car was a pile and made my Mini reliability seem Lexus like in comparison. The car was so bad, i swore to never purchase a vw or company owned by vw ever again. The car had coil packs failures, electrical, window drop, engine fan failure to name a few.
Having said that, i loathed that car where as i do still really love my mini in a quirky, hesitant sorta way ;-).
This car was a pile and made my Mini reliability seem Lexus like in comparison. The car was so bad, i swore to never purchase a vw or company owned by vw ever again. The car had coil packs failures, electrical, window drop, engine fan failure to name a few.
Having said that, i loathed that car where as i do still really love my mini in a quirky, hesitant sorta way ;-).
But my standard for quality is this. You get one 'gimme' in the first 1000 miles. That covers the oops, forgot a clip or something minor. If nothing comes up, the gimme expires at 1001. Other than brakes and tires, everything should go a minimum of 80,000. Fail that measurable standard and I consider the car quality to be sub-standard. This standard came about because my Japanese cars meet it or exceed it.
And by that standard, my MINIs have been sub-standard. But I'm having so much fun I don't care. And to be honest, they don't come anywhere near the absolute pitiful quality of any American made vehicle. The problems I've haven't been big enough to turn me away from the brand.
Last edited by mysticturner; 01-30-2012 at 10:43 AM. Reason: Edited because I didn't know *** is politically incorrect.
#19
#21
I just had my '08 CLubman S in for service and they pointed out a slight weeping around my valve cover and told me to keep am eye on it. I asked how much to replace it and he said parts and labor would be $275. I think your dealer is charging you too much.
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