I recently got the code diagnosed. I checked the pcv hose and it's not leaking any air. The motor is making what I assume is the 'death rattle'. But I know it's not the chain. A mechanic said that all I had to do was check the hose and replace; but like I stated before, the hose is intact. No air seems to be leaking when everything is hooked up properly, but it does make that noise. What exactly could it be? Do I really have to change out the valve cover?

Thanks.

 

someone had a similar issue and at the end it was a fine hair crack in the pcv hose going to the intake manifold. There is also the noise make pipe that routs behind the intake manifold.


was your timing chain replaced? how many miles on the car?

 

no, the chain wasn't changed out. the car only has 63k miles. i just got done with opening the valve cover and checking that. everything seemed fine. the hose seems fine. it's holding pressure. i closed everything back up and test drove it. still same noise. but as the car was starting to sputter a bit when i first accelerate. i would like to know of a good mini cooper mechanic, in the houston area, that's reliable. i checked under the car and there seems to be oil leaking from the turbo area. could that be a reason to the problem. i am just waiting for the turbo area to cool down in order to check it out.

 

Valve cover change corrected this code for me.
It's very easy to change and only like $30.

 

where'd you get a valve cover for only $30?

 

Sorry. Valve cover gasket corrected my code for $30. You can get an eBay valve cover for about $120 that people have said have the same brand name.