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Stock Problems/IssuesDiscussions related to warranty related issues and repairs, or other problems with the OEM parts and software for MINI Clubman (R55), Cooper and Cooper S(R56), and Cabrio (R57).
Has anyone else had multiple valve cover failures? The infamous Cyclone Separator can suck it as far as I'm concerned. I purchased my 09 Clubman S with 60k on the odometer. The first valve cover failed at 71k. Then the next valve Cover Failed at 79k this past November. Now it appears the new one I just replaced is failing as well at 83k. WTH?
This is ridiculous for such an expensive part. I have heard no other car with a failing valve cover. Nor multiples. Arrrrrrrrrrg.
The 1st 2 failures were diagnosed from the Stealer. The first failure was pretty evident. I could see something was wrong. The 2nd failure it just started to seep, the Stealer pointed out to me during an oil change. The 2nd valve cover was replaced under warranty as you mentioned. This 3rd one I just started to see this week. It's starting the upper right of the oil cap. I did not spill any oil filling and I also wiped the seeping oil and can notice it a few days alter coming back. It be replaced again under warranty. But, that is not the point. The point is this is a pain *** and designing a $300 plastic valve cover is dumb. Can you tell I'm bitter
That's interesting and they seem to be very short lived. I'd bring this attention to your dealer and maybe see what information they can gather about your issue as something doesn't seem right. I'd express your concern about this issue arising again and maybe even outside when the 2 year warranty is up.
The 1st 2 failures were diagnosed from the Stealer. The first failure was pretty evident. I could see something was wrong. The 2nd failure it just started to seep, the Stealer pointed out to me during an oil change. The 2nd valve cover was replaced under warranty as you mentioned. This 3rd one I just started to see this week. It's starting the upper right of the oil cap. I did not spill any oil filling and I also wiped the seeping oil and can notice it a few days alter coming back. It be replaced again under warranty. But, that is not the point. The point is this is a pain *** and designing a $300 plastic valve cover is dumb. Can you tell I'm bitter
Wow , that's allot. Did they all seep in the same area ?
I do find it odd... Mine is now 9yr old and still on the original cover. But I would imagine if they overtighten the bolts it could crack the cover around the fixing points.
Has anyone else had multiple valve cover failures? The infamous Cyclone Separator can suck it as far as I'm concerned. I purchased my 09 Clubman S with 60k on the odometer. The first valve cover failed at 71k. Then the next valve Cover Failed at 79k this past November. Now it appears the new one I just replaced is failing as well at 83k. WTH?
This is ridiculous for such an expensive part. I have heard no other car with a failing valve cover. Nor multiples. Arrrrrrrrrrg.
Can you elaborate on the puported "failure" of these valve covers by the MINI tech. Is it an internal component(s) for the PCV ?
I do find it odd... Mine is now 9yr old and still on the original cover. But I would imagine if they overtighten the bolts it could crack the cover around the fixing points.
That what I was thinking to go trough so many, bad hardware that was over-tightened.
The valve covers have steel sleeves in all bolt locations, as well as the threads being so fine that it doesn't take much to strip them. I would see them stripping before you caused damage to the valve cover.
If you have oil buildup around the PCV breather on the right side of the engine chances are the intake hose needs replaced due to the hose becoming oil saturated and not fitting securely. Not a valve cover issue.
If the leak is originating around the rear PCV vent tube then chances are you will need the vent tube, not a valve cover.
If the leak is originating from the center of the cover or at the top of the PCV housing then, yes a valve cover is in order.
Other than that the only other leak will be from the valve cover gasket, which is replaceable separate from the cover.
In my experience the dealer hasn't been very accurate in diagnosing oil leaks to our customers still under warranty.
I do find it odd... Mine is now 9yr old and still on the original cover. But I would imagine if they overtighten the bolts it could crack the cover around the fixing points.
I used the instructions in the Bentley manual to go in the correct order of tightening the bolts down. Used a torque wrench. It's not leaking from around the bottom of the valve cover where the gasket meets the head, but on top of the valve cover.
Do you have an S or none-S? 9 years is pretty solid. How many Miles?
The valve covers have steel sleeves in all bolt locations, as well as the threads being so fine that it doesn't take much to strip them. I would see them stripping before you caused damage to the valve cover.
If you have oil buildup around the PCV breather on the right side of the engine chances are the intake hose needs replaced due to the hose becoming oil saturated and not fitting securely. Not a valve cover issue.
If the leak is originating around the rear PCV vent tube then chances are you will need the vent tube, not a valve cover.
If the leak is originating from the center of the cover or at the top of the PCV housing then, yes a valve cover is in order.
Other than that the only other leak will be from the valve cover gasket, which is replaceable separate from the cover.
In my experience the dealer hasn't been very accurate in diagnosing oil leaks to our customers still under warranty.
The leaks are on top of the valve cover. The first leak was just above the location of the oil cap. Then now last week there is another one similar to what is shown in this post. https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...lve-cover.html
I have to check around the PVC hose like you point out. May be that is a problem as well.
I used the instructions in the Bentley manual to go in the correct order of tightening the bolts down. Used a torque wrench. It's not leaking from around the bottom of the valve cover where the gasket meets the head, but on top of the valve cover.
Do you have an S or none-S? 9 years is pretty solid. How many Miles?
My recently replaced valve cover looks exactly the same, it's your PCV hose that connects to the intake pipe that leads to the turbo that's leaking. There's nothing to secure the PCV hose to the valve cover which is why they leak.
What I meant to say was there's nothing to secure the PCV hose to the actual port and when the rubber hose starts to expand it allows oil to leak out onto the valve cover. When you start driving oil accumulates in the hose and when you shut off the engine the oil starts flowing back down the hose leaking onto the valve cover. Nothing a low profile zip tie can't fix.
My recently replaced valve cover looks exactly the same, it's your PCV hose that connects to the intake pipe that leads to the turbo that's leaking. There's nothing to secure the PCV hose to the valve cover which is why they leak.
This leak started near the gas cap away from the pcv hose. Then progressed towards the pvc hose.
Clip is all there. Dealer confirmed again today the valve cover failed. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ Bad luck me I guess? Really frustrating.
Good to double check, make sure when you get it installed this time you get them to write down or put down the torque valves on the hardware. Would like to see what they are doing.
WTH?
