Well, after 8 years, my Mini finally coughed up a code. I feel very lucky.
I got the P1497 code and when I turned off the car it whistled while shutting down.
Got it into my garage and ran it ,and there was a lot of air coming from under the second, smaller, cover on the cylinder head cover.
Pulled the cover off and the O-rings were basically flat, especially between the coil insert holes.
Installed a new cover, but I still have the code. The air whistle is gone now, and the car idles a lot better.

I've read differing thread posts that the code may clear on it's own, and that it needs the dealership to clear it. I have a basic code reader, nothing fancy, and it's not clearing the code.

Bottom line, does the code clear on it's own after so many engine cycles as registered by the ECU?

 

I think it might but I have never tried it. If its been a few days then its not. You replaced the entire cover? the n14 covers and even some n18s are notorious for leaking air at the oil separator.

 

Should reset itself after 4-5 starts - if the problem has been erradicated that is. Sit in it and turn ignition on a few times.

 

CEL cleared by itself this afternoon. I assume, as you also indicated, it just needed a few full cycles before it cleared itself.
Odd thing is that I filled up the tank yesterday and it indicated 410 miles to go with the CEL. Today with 35 miles on the trip meter, it told my I have 447 miles to go with the CEL clear.

"CdubGerm
I think it might but I have never tried it. If its been a few days then its not. You replaced the entire cover? the n14 covers and even some n18s are notorious for leaking air at the oil separator."

Yep, I replaced the whole cover. It was blowing a lot of air from the vicinity of the separator. Replaced plugs at the same time just for good measure. The plugs showed some fairly significant ash deposits, so that PCV valve hasn't been working right for awhile.

Hopefully the CEL stays clear. I want to walnut blast the intake valves this weekend, and replace the serpentine belt. I don't want to troubleshoot multiple potential problems, if something doesn't go right.