Step by step how to fix leaky valve cover on a 2002-06 MINI Cooper S (R52, R53). Similar process for Cooper non-S (R50). Buy the valve cover gasket here: amzn.to/2RIZzcO Mod MINI's Tools: amzn.to/2QEMznK Gen 1 MINI Cooper Parts: amzn.to/2AMemOk Mod MINI Tip jar: www.fundly.com/mod-mini-tip-jar See all the Mod MINI Videos on my channel: ru-vid.com
I’ve owned my ‘05 R53 since new. Proud to say my CooperS has never been to the dealer since it’s warranty days, in part, thanks to you.. As these cars get older, this channel gets more valuable. Thanks.
You're the only place i go to look up how to fix something on my 6speed R53 Mini, Im about to replace my BPV. Ive already replaced the Alternator, and my front CV's just from your video's, they help tremendously! Means a lot, what you do, and i hope you keep making videos for a while! I love my r53 may sell it for a F-56 then get another r53 after it's paid off! again thank you for everything you do!
I did this in 1hr cause of you!!! I consider myself slightly above average at my own mechanics, but the mini s is in a class alone. I would have fucked up 4sure without you're generous tips & tricks of the mini trade! I've done so much work myself thanks 2u.! Oil filter housing gasket was more challenging but still easy enough. Thank you again......& again 🤪 Anyone who owns a 1st gen mini S knows the work go's on & on.......& on!!!! These cars are worth every bloody knuckle!!!!🤣
I was just told by the mechanic that put my ball joints on (after I over torqued the bolt right off)..ugh... that my valve cover gasket is leaking also...and that I can actually do it. with watching this and all your instructional video's this is unbelievably reassuring to me that I can just pause the play and get whatever has me stuck done because of how calm you and knowledgeable you are about these cars. I never thought being a Toyota guy that I would buy another Mini after the first one we had... but I missed the manual and the handling of these pita but totally fun to drive cars. Nothing else drives like the R53 I just got either... the super charger is freaking awesome!!! Thanks RJ
Thanks for another awesome, concise and well documented tutorial! I had a BMW mechanic R&R a leaking oil filter housing gasket (something I couldn't do myself do to logistics), = $650 Also quoted me $450 to replace the valve cover gasket. Watched your video and finished the job in just under 2hrs (I like my engines/bay super clean so 1hr for cleaning),+ Gasket = $15. Thanx for the links! BTW: For those who keep asking; The torque setting for valve cover bolts is 9ft lbs. 9ft lbs is pretty much a little more than hand tight. A firm hand tight.
Your videos are great. My 05 R53 started leaking oil like the Exxon Valdez (showing my age there) and in the 1st couple minutes of this video describe exactly what my Mini is doing. Thank you!
I just wanted to take a second and thank you for your videos, I just ordered Slotted/drilled rotors, pads, braided lines, 1 man bleeder, pcv, vvt solenoid ,valve cover gasket, plugs wires (did plugs), ignition coil, fuel pump filter (maybe need pump not sure yet), brake depression tool kit and I went and bought 150 pc mech craftsman set, 3 breaker bars (1/2 3/8 1/4, craftsman torn bit set.. Along with an Think100Oobd which was referred by Scotty Kilmer You gave me the courage to do my own work but only because of your videos that I can follow along so easily....you’re the man Mod Mini. I have a basic understanding but I’m not a mechanic. After that I’ll need to fix a few more things but I’m trying to eliminate one thing at a time and trying to do it cost effective. So ty for your time on these educational videos brother, stay safe out there and hit the pedal to the floor.
Thank you! Dealer said I needed to change oil pan gasket as well but thanks to you it's prob only the valve cover. Saving me so much money because I hate getting under the car and now I don't have to pay someone to do that and just do the valve cover myself.
Thank you so much for this video. Thank you for all of your videos. You've saved me countless $$$... actually, there have been more than one occasions where I contemplated selling, parting or trashing my mini to take another loan on a different car just to get to work the next day, but your confidence, through repairs and explanations have kept me calm and working on. Thank you from the bottom of my heart, and I saw recently you have a tip jar of some sort. Once, my Mini isn't teetering on catastrophic failure I'll be able to thank you from the top of my wallet too. I have had my mini since it's 160K mile mark. I'm at 198K now after 2 years of ownership. Since I have had my true silver R50 04 there has been a noticeable 1 quart every 1k miles oil leak. It's fairly expensive, and I think that it's the valve seals, but since valve cover gaskets are $5 online, and $13 from orileys, I'm gonna do this repair and see if that stop this leak. Any advice you have or experience to share would be further appreciated. I'll be sure to tip you as well as I can before December; my wife and I need to replace the Mini's motor mounts (a transmission mount replacement is $60 and I'm hesitant to buy a powerflex not seeing it be placed on by someone else. After the Mini we will repair her Aveo's (mostly suspension, she did here valve cover all by her self!!). Thank you so much. Couple other questions: Is my 5 speed 04 R50 a Getrag transmission? (curious because of comments of reliability) Are the R50's direct injected? (because of valve cleanliness) Is adding a supper charger a thing? Would buying a supercharged engine be more sensible? or just go get an 05-06 R53? Not saying I want (to spend the time and money on maintenance to own) one, I've just been curious about the modification.
The cutoff between Midlands and Getrag is July 2004 build month. Gen 1 are not direct injected. Do not add supercharger to an R50. Once you have finished with all the physical/software modifications, it would be cheaper to go buy an R53. Even if cost wasn't an issue, you will destroy the motor as the R50 engine was not engineered for it.
Gonna do cover gasket to my 05-R53 soon n it’s my first ever to replace gasket on R53, glad to see your vid n my MCs will be happy soon for the first new gasket since 17 Years ago it has stock n reliable enough ‘till today without engine problem thanks!
Just want to say thanks for the great MINI maintenance videos. I recently bought a cool little 2006 Cooper S and your videos have been a great resource guide.
LOL ...Perfect timing..After a year of the annoying oil leak.I'm sitting here with a fan on my engine cooling it off about to start this job when this came to my inbox.. I even have the same felpro gasket from Amazon.....I'll let you know how it goes..
Thanks MOD..Piece of cake, just followed the tutorial EXACTLY same tools and process.. except for my brittle PITA breather hose. A small 1/8" relief cut on the end did the trick. New hose on hand would have been appreciated BTW dealer price $719 and they wanted the car all day This job took less time than the hour it takes me to get there and back.
The only channel is subscribed for my mini. I thought I could get away with replacing the gasket without removing the intercooler but no after all.... Anyways, perfect. Thanks
I’ve replaced my valve cover gasket before and not any issues. This time my valve cover screws were so rusted the heads of the screws lost their shape and I was stumped on how to get these last two screws loose. I decided to force a smaller socket on them and cracked them loose finally. Unfortunately I had to call the stealer I mean Dealer for more screws. 18$ for each screw. I said what the hell.. give me four. 90$ later. 😝 I was able to put my valve cover back on. Geesh another lesson learned.
With all due respect and your relevant knowledge is greater than mine, perhaps American cars use a different brand of gasket but the UK definitely leak from the plug gaskets at about 70-130k miles. I just thought it'd be useful to know for UK viewers, the extra cost is negligible with labour being the right determining factor.
Thanks so much for all the great videos, your work as a mechanic and teacher to all of us is superb! You can tell you enjoy what you do, and thanks for sharing all your knowledge and know how. christopher:-)
Thanks man doing this tomorrow it was easy on the diesel. Every time I see these tho it’s like yep that bits going to break like you said and yep mine are rusted so it’s going to shred and need drilling lol
So the tomos bit was a lie I finally got round to a month later and low and behold there was a bolt that was a mother f****r from hell that was so rusted nothing would work so now I gotta pay the garage people to drill it because I’m not drilling that close to a head damn it
Hello again still enjoying your channel and learned a ton on the R53 Mini S. I thought I'd ask you two questions about my 69K mile '05 S. When I turn the steering wheel I get some creaking. Control arm bushings where replaced a couple years ago and still seem tight. And second when I let the clutch out going in 1st or reverse I get this weird squeal/howl but only until it warms up then seems like it don't do it. Thank you for your time and this is the funniest car I have ever owned.
@@ModMINI Thank you. Lubed steering column and took care of that but as for as the clutch it's not a chatter noise but a low pitch howl sort of speak. What does that mean when it does that?
Mod MINI where abouts do you lubricate the steering column?? I’m getting a creaking at a certain angle in the steering now after doing my bushings and track rod ends
Im a new mini r53 owner and gained another subscriber. I will pass your channel along not that it isnt popular already. Great videos, do you have on to remove the timing cover I think I have the rattle-but it only started right after i swapped to the 15% pulley-I mean i parked the car for the ob (no rattle)-started the car while in the air to check and rattle. I replaced the belt with the recommended one in your video/forums but not the tensioner which i have on order now. Again thank you :)
Impossible to comment on what is causing the rattle without listening to it in person, but changing the pulley would not cause something that would require timing cover removal.
Great informative content as always. I have burnt oil around #2/3 plug boots and small amount of smoke from the exhaust on start up... Could this resolve it or is it something else? Thanks 👍
One of those bolts you refer to at 5:41 with the long thread on it but towards the left stripped on me. Frustrating as can be they’re pretty rusty. Would there be any adverse effect to cutting the threaded part off to give me access to use an easy out socket ?
Your vids are the best I have found on here all together. I have a 2005 R50 with the 5 speed getrag box that I am looking to replace. I have seen that a lot of people here in the UK have replaced with the 6 speed box out of the mini s. I was wondering how easy is this job for a home mechanic I am easy with this type but I wanted to check that is it the gearbox / drive shafts /gear linkage slave cylinder etc which I can get out of a rear end damage write off. And what is the different between the W10B16A engine and the W11B16A engine and am I missing anything please
This should not be your first repair job. This will require problem solving and a good understanding of how things work. There will be no instructions of any kind. I've never done this before but you'll need at minimum the shift cables, hydraulic system, axles, transmission and flywheel. You may require customization for a W10 block to accept a six speed axle bearing carrier. Engines are not interchangeable without basically also turning all the electronics into an R53.
Its a great video to watch for guidance. Thank you. My 2004 cooper S my friend said needs to replace valve seal gasket because i always adding oil. after watching this video do you think he is right? not valve cover gasket. Please reply me asap.thank you so much.
I've had my 2002 Cooper S from new and it consumed oil even when new. Caught me by surprise, because my Renault 5 GT Turbo I had previously never lost a drop of oil even when 11 years old with 110000 miles on it.
Amazing content I love your Chanel :) I’ll be doing this to my mini this weekend, however I’ll be also replacing all the valve cover bolts as mine are pretty rusty. Do you recommend using grease/ anti seize on the new bolts before installing them? Thank you so much :)
Will be doing this job soon. How many bolts need to be removed from the valve cover ? Some of my bolts are rusty and I'm wanting to change all of them and I need a count for ordering online. Thanks!
Great Video Super Helpful. QUESTION- Can you clarify if it is (necessary) to replace the Valve Cover bolts at all? Seems there is a lot of info on Mini blogs suggesting that (they should "always" be replaced). But i haven't seen any videos yet where folks are actually replacing them (except when they really rusted). Mine are in good visual appearance. I appreciate you feedback.
@@ModMINI Thank you for the feedback. I did a bit more research and aside from the visual condition of the bolt, it looks like one of the other main factors to (replace or not to replace) is whether the bolts are made of steel or aluminum. The general consensus seems to be Steel = keep, Aluminum = replace. Really appreciate all your videos and help.
Firstly thanks for all of the videos, you’ve helped me out a lot with working on my r53. I think I have a rocker cover leak as I have a lot of oil residue under the car around the oil filter housing and cooler. It looks to me like it’s leaking from the rocker cover as after degreasing the whole area and then driving the car it has a bit of residue around the back of the rocker. My question is could all of the oil around the back and the bottom of the engine be from the rocker leak? Seems a lot of oil! Thanks
I've seen them leak really bad before. But hard to rule out other things when the leak is at the top and it covers everything as it works its way down.
Thanks for the reply, had my car in the garage for a health check and seems it is the rocker cover. I will be using your guide to replace the gasket so a massive thanks and keep up the good work👍
very detailed. another great mini copper video to watch...have you ever had to deal with a rear passenger seat latch that won't release? i sure hope so because i'm having that very issue with a 2003 non turbo mini currently. it feels like the latch has resistance and it dose spring back upon release. any advise with how to address this problem would be greatly appreciated. thanks in advance and keep those videos coming.
Never seen that. Strange. Sounds like cable inside the seat might be broken. Try taking apart the latch and maybe you can grab on the cable with pliers
@@ModMINI hey thanks for taking the time to get back to me. i figured it out a few days ago and ironically your solution was pretty much dead on. you were right about the cable. its a couple of inches to the right of the latch. you'll be better off using some sort of "hook tool" to fish it out of instead of pliers and once it's hooked you pull until it unlatches. during my process, i broke the little plastic surround. a small price to pay and replace to gain soooo much storage. thanks again and dude you rock!
eBay will have them. Unfortunately they aren't cheap. www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=p2380057.m570.l1313&_nkw=mini+cooper+valve+cover+bolts&_sacat=0&mkcid=1&mkrid=711-53200-19255-0&siteid=0&campid=5338396586&toolid=11800&mkevt=1
Broke my pcv valve, should have taken your advice and been careful. Also, I have a little bit of oil inside the two rubber pieces holding the intercooler. Is that indicative of anything?
First bolt of the first black intercooler brackers fall down.. I cant blind find it with my little pickup up magnet cable... Dont know if I will need remove more stuff to find it...
So my mini has just conked out on me, it lost power and the engine light came on. I have found that my spark plugs have engine oil on them. I assume that the Valve gasket cover is the problem. Could you give me some advice on what will have to be done to get her back into working order? 👍❤ cleaning, changing gaskets etc
Is it at all possible to remove the valve cover without removing the driver-side intercooler bracket (4:24)? The bolts for it are quite fragile and BMW decided to thread BOTH PARTS (sigh), so if you break a bolt head off you're pretty screwed (no pun intended) - you'd have to remove the entire intake manifold at that point?
Hi Mod mini! Question about your Milwaukee tools you used on this job. Did you have to break the screws and bolts that you took off with a ratchet first or did these do the complete job by themselves. I see the torques are around 30ft lbs. Also is the torque adjustable? Thanks and as always great videos!! John
The ratchet wrench style tool lets you use hand power to break bolts. Torque is not adjustable but when I hand check, they are pretty close to what I would have set them to anyway for the 10 and 13mm fasteners for the 3/8 wrench and the 8 and 10 fasteners for the 1/4 wrench. The pistol type wrench can loosen all 10mm and most 13mm bolts. It's powerful for the size. I can decide how tight by how long I run the gun when tightening.
Hello sir New owner of a old 02 r53. Will be doing this soon due to leaks. Question is, can I inspect condition of timing chain visualy? No rattle of any kind for now. And also, while changing crankshaft pulley, how hard is to change cover gasket, do I have to move engine up-down? Thank you and respect!
If it's not making noise, it's fine. You may want to raise/lower engine to install or remove the timing cover. But I don't think you have a chain issue if it's not making noise.
Hello, quick question from your experience do you remember any that sometimes the valve cover where the screw is can be crack? I replaced he gasket and new screw and I have one screw hat has a leak . If the screw below the distributed by the exhaust side middle of the valve cover. I replaced the screw with the gasket and still leaking from the screw . Any advice appreciated
Sorry if this is not video-related I have a 2004 mini cooper S r53 and just 4 days ago it started making like a air-y sound when on, its a little loud but unable to hear origin due to aftermarket exhaust. It sounds like the serpentine belt (or however you call it) I didn't mind it but yesterday the car started overheating when idle, I did almost red lined it last week when I raced it. Do you think its something SC or water pump related? Or is it the head gasket? (Please say its not lol) or maybe a thermostat gasket. I need a little options to check. I will check fans and coolant leaks tomorrow
All the screws that hold my valve cover are rusty and rounded. I have a tough time swallowing $200 in just a couple of screws. Have you tried any alternative screws from eg: Home Depot, etc?
I changed mine via your old video... it still leaked. I got a mechanic to fix it along with some other stuff. He used some sort of black sealant... Leaking again. Do you think this black stuff will pick off? As I want to try it again myself as its leaking more than ever!
It should not leak or require sealant. 1. Are any of the bolt thread stripped? Sometimes the ones on exhaust side of the head strip and bolt cannot be tightened fully 2. Do you have MSD or other aftermarket coil pack? Sometimes people install bolts that are so long they break through the top of the valve cover and oil leaks out the bolt holes.
I didn't think it should of either! Nope all bolts worked and tightened up fine. I still have the stock coilpack. Could it be a high spot? When I fitted the gasket, it was very hard to push in the grooves. Took me easily 1hr 30! I was a cheap one off ebay. Not a silicone based one like you use.
Hey man thanks for the video. I'm doing my r53 valve cover and plug seals next weekend. I noticed when I did spark plugs that there was some oil down the one tube and the front of the valve cover was moist. I have an 04 jcw with the other valve cover plate. Have you noticed any differences between the normal r53 and the jcw r53 valve covers?
Hello Mod MINI do I need to change my valve cover if my oil and air separator is damaged. and on the inside of the valve cover i see some silicon like its been reapired before.i can send you a photo of my value cover. please help
@@ModMINI but every body said my mini cooper is turbo because I GB it intercooler and a supercharger car can have a intercooler so idk. The manual said I got "compressor" another way to call the turbo if I'm not bad so wth 😱😱😭
@@ModMINI not dont look like that my car is a mini cooper 2005 s convertible do u kno if I have turbo or supercharger. Donuts have any instagram or Facebook
Mod MINI how did you know my mini is leaking oil, I bought a valve cover gasket to replace this weekend and was needing to research how to replace the valve cover gasket... thanks for everything you do 👍
Great Video, my spark plug boots are stuck, all 4 of them, I'm pulling up so hard the thing stretches but no click, the entire engine is beginning to move as I pull and nothing. What do I do? I'm worried that I'll snap the spark plug in half. Please advice.
