After reinstalling the head from valve damage in my new to me 07 MCS I started getting P1497 codes as the engine would come back to idle.

I installed the caps on the passenger side of the valve cover and the codes went away. I also installed an OCC on the drivers side.

My question is since the code was on the passenger side and its now capped off should I still change the valve cover?

 

You've solved the problem. If you put on a new cover it will shortly do the same thing. This is a common problem for the N14 valve covers.