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

 

I have seen these go between 20-30k. But hey yours is still ubder warranty, so no worries.

 

You sure it's not the cover itself that is leaking, since they're plastic a few of these have been found cracked.

One poor fellow replaced his several times, turned out he had an exhaust leak at his turbo and he literally cooked it!

 

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

 

Replace it not a big deal.

 

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 got mine done a month ago. at about 20k and it was leaking, just got the gasket replaced. it cost me $aus 70 to supply and fit, but not by mini.

 

You can just change the gasket. Its a lot cheaper but there is always the problem that it might be your cover.

 

Mine was replaced around 45k due to "excessive heat" warping the valve cover. A heat shield would help the cover possibly, but possibly could cook your turbo sooner (compressor side bearings)

 

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

 

Almost all cars will have gaskets fail at one time or another. You don't hear about it, unless you go to other forums or talk to people.

 

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

 

Have you ever owned a German engineered or British car before? You are in for a world of hurt...

 

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 ;-).

 

31k miles on my 09 JCW. Valve cover gasket just replaced under warranty last week.

 

It looks like the MINI Cooper is a disposable car better suited to a 3 year lease then buying and keeping for 5 to 7 years or beyond.

 

I'm on the opposite side as my 2003 Jetta GLS 1.8T has been less hassle in my 8+ years of ownership than 1.5 years on my Clubman. Go figure...

- Erik

 

Our VW Golf (87) went 225,000 miles before we dumped it to charity. It was one of our most reliable cars. Still had original factory brakes at 202,000, in city driving!

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.

 

New valve cover installed 37,400 out of warrantee. Engine throwing CEL p115c. Low Air Volume. Tech indicated "internal vacuum leak". Small amount of oil was noticeable around gasket.

 

Dealer just quoted me $800+ for a new valve cover on my '07 mcs at 101,000 miles. At least I now know why I've been having to add so much oil between changes.

 

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.

 

Get the part and do it yourself and you will save tons of money for other mods and you will have the satisfaction of learning more about your MINI.

 

On a scale of 1 - 10, 1 being easiest - how hard is it to do?

 

Watch this video and judge for yourself. The only reason I say that is everyone's skill level is different.

 

Thanks - I'll check it out now!