Detailing the R56 today I noticed more oil than I have typically seen on the top of the valve cover around the coil pack tubes. I pulled the coils out and the tubes and plugs are perfectly clean. The valve cover gasket seal itself seems pretty clean except for the location of the bolt at the top right of the head, a little gritty at that area.

Is this just the simple valve cover gasket fix or is it something else like the PCV tube not sealed properly? I have a feeling the gasket is fine since there isn't a whole lot of oil at the joint. Engine has about 48k miles

Pics for reference.

 

Has it been a while since you last detailed your engine bay? If so the PCV hoses rubber seals are worn out from all the heat. When my valve cover looked like yours I replaced it with a new one and I only see very little oil seeping out of the PCV hoses at the connector on the new valve cover. These valve covers lifespan is 50-75k miles. Also check on the back of valve cover to see if any oil is pooling right on the edge or lip of the valve cover near the intake air box.

You'll save yourself hundreds replacing the valve cover on your own rather than having to pay someone else, torque wrench needed.

 

If its leakage coming from the PCV hose on the right, check that first. Or overspilled oil from an oil change. Then clean up the oil and see if it seeps again. Most of the time its leakage from a hairline crack in the valve cover or you will get a CEL for PCV leakage .

Leaking valve cover thread: N14 engine

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...lve-cover.html





N14 engine valve cover OEM MINI part number 11127646555


http://www.ecstuning.com/Search/11127646555/ES2601877/



thanks

 

Sloppy oil changes are always a possibility, but I'd be willing to bet that your PCV is leaking. Unfortunately the PCV is integral to the valve cover on the gen 2 cars, and you have to replace the whole cover. As the leak progressively gets worse you will start to notice a rough idle, check engine lights, and of course more oil.

It's a quick and easy job to tackle yourself, just make sure you don't break the ground wire for the coil packs. If you do break it, make sure to put a new eyelet on and ground the strap again before starting the car, as you can/will short the ECU. We had a car come into the shop months back where this was the case.

Nick

 

It does look like the PCV, that is unfortunate I have to replace the whole cover. It's definitely not a result of sloppy oil changes, I am a ninja at that.

I was really hoping that the PCV part of the VC was able to come off so I dont have to spend the coin. I'll look into seeing if it is first able to make a better seal. The film is light and was able to wipe right off so over a period of say 6000 miles that all that came out.

I triple checked the VC seal and it is damn near spotless, and the oil cap also makes a seal and it is not coming from there....

 

What's an eyelet?

 

On the center valve cover bolt at the front of the engine there is an 8mm nut on the bolt which is retaining a ground wire for the coil packs. The eyelet on the end of the wire is easily broken off, but it is also easily fixed.

On the N18 engine the ground wire is on the back of the valve cover instead of the N14 which is grounded in the front.

 

Oh ok, the eyelet of a connector shape like a donut is grounding all coils. Your saying if it broke off and you installed coils without fixing the ground would toast the ECU right? If so you could have just saved members bacon!

 

Down the road if the leak gets worse it might throw a CEL. The valve cover does come with the gasket and hardware. You can leave it plain or get the MINI badge and stickers.