I will be attempting replacing the valve cover gasket this weekend because of oil leak. Do we have to replace the bolts and sealant washers? Are these parts we can get from a normal store?


I copied the diagram from sewellparts.com
Set of profile gaskets 1In Stock$49.04$43.40 0311127572848
Cover lid 1Ships in 48 hrs$23.06$20.41 0411127561715
Cover 1Ships in 48 hrs$119.84$106.05 0511127559969
Stud bolt 1Ships in 48 hrs$3.48$3.08 0607147543890
Hex bolt with washer M6X35 10In Stock$1.54$1.36 0713627588095
Sensor camshaft 2In Stock$89.50$79.20 0813627567572
O-ring 11,1X1,6 2In Stock$3.70$3.27 0911437527426
Hex bolt M6X18 2Ships in 48 hrs$1.19$1.05 1011127594876
EMBLEM ADHERED MINI 1In Stock$29.76$26.34 1111127570070
Hex bolt with washer M6X75 2Ships in 48 hrs$5.67$5.02

 

Since the valve cover hardware isn't typically a stretch bolt, those can be reused.
Some shops do use new hardware since they've never been torqued-down and prefer a new bolt versus used.

- Erik

 

Just replace the gasket only, getting anything else is wasting money. I keep em in stock if you need.

 

I would add that you might want to look first. I say that because a couple of mine were so rusted that I had to hammer a 7mm on the thing to get it off, so new was required. North east cars are not the same as CA cars with regards to rust.

 

When have you guys had to replace the oil pan gasket.

 

Never. Usually the oil mess that looks like a pan is the crank position sender. That would be the first thing to check. It is up front under the supercharger and can be gotten to in service mode. I was going to replace the o-ring but it isnt' a normal ring. It is flat sided and green, so I just put some sealant goo and we will see how that works out.

Many pans may weep a bit of oil. That is because unlike older designs, the pan is a hard mount point and is stressed. Pans used to just hang there, but mini's have a motor mount on them. For me, I would try to tighten a leaking one just a tiny bit in case it is possible, and just add oil as needed. It would have to be really bad for me to do the gasket since it isn't very easy and new does not always mean no leaks. Sometimes the new one leaks worse if proper care is not taken when doing the work.

 

Uh, no supercharger on an R56. And this is the R56 section, so...

 

It is probably on the front under whatever you have there.