1st Gen R53 Cooper S Most liked posts in thread: Crack in valve cover (long)

  1. minimark

    minimark Well-Known Member

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    #2 minimark, Mar 18, 2011
    Is it still under warranty?
     
  2. Mr. Jim

    Mr. Jim Mudshark
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    #3 Mr. Jim, Mar 18, 2011
    Nope, expired in September.
     
  3. minimark

    minimark Well-Known Member

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    #4 minimark, Mar 18, 2011
    Dang...the epoxy might hold up a while but if it were mine, I would only consider it a temporary fix until I found a new or good condition used cover.... 2cents.
     
  4. Mr. Jim

    Mr. Jim Mudshark
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    #5 Mr. Jim, Mar 18, 2011
    Yea that's what I'm thinking too. I mean it could last a real long time but that thought in the back of my mind that it could blow out at any point doesn't sit well.
     
  5. Jason Montague

    Jason Montague New Member
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    #6 Jason Montague, Mar 19, 2011
    :cornut: Yeh, unfortunately, I agree. Think about harmonic vibration and how the epoxy/crack/bond are different in density from the valve cover. The vibration frequency is changed at the crack due to the change in density. It will separate/crack again. When? Don't know.:mad2:

    Jason:popcorn::popcorn:
     
  6. Metalman

    Metalman Well-Known Member
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    #7 Metalman, Mar 19, 2011
    Any idea what caused the crack in the first place? Might want to determine this before you buy a replacement?


    Sent from Arrakis, while harvesting spice, using Tapatalk when no one was looking.
     
  7. Mr. Jim

    Mr. Jim Mudshark
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    #8 Mr. Jim, Mar 19, 2011
    Yep, I believe it was when installing the MSD coil pack last year. I ran a google search and found another poor soul who had the same problem when he installed his :cryin: So either the bolts that where supplied with the kit where too long, or I don't know my own strength, of this crap could happen anytime the coil pack is replaced :incazzato: Perhaps there is a TSB on it???

    BTW, already sourced a replacement :Thumbsup:
     
  8. Gil-galad

    Gil-galad Club Coordinator

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    #9 Gil-galad, Mar 19, 2011
    I've also seen a few reported cases over on the sewing site of valve covers cracking when installing a new coil. I happened to stumble across those posts prior to my installation of an MSD coil on my old '05 MINI so I went into that swap with eye wide open.

    The 8 cushioned OEM grommets on both ends of the bolts didn't seem to mesh very well with the new MSD coil (and I didn't see anything in the instructions on re-use) and I had two of them break apart as I was torquing down the bolts -- probably due to their age. Figuring having something in there was better than nothing, I ended up using a a couple from the top to put underneath between the coil and the mount, and picked up some properly sized O-rings at the local hardware store to use on the top of the bolts. I then used a bit of blue Loc-tite on the bolts and torqued them down to a bit less than spec. The OEM grommets under the base of the coil still "squished out" and deformed a little, but stayed together enough to perform their intended function.

    Glad you found a replacement cover.
     
  9. Mr. Jim

    Mr. Jim Mudshark
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    #10 Mr. Jim, Mar 29, 2011
    Got the cover yesterday and installed last night. This is what I observed, the bolts when used with the MSD are TOO LONG! Even the ones that are supplied from MM. You have to have some type of spacer/rubber washer and/or shorter bolts. Once they get tight they are in fact bottoming out, and when you tighten a little more you crack the cover.

    I'll take a picture tonight for illustration.
     
  10. Eric@Helix

    Eric@Helix New Member
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    #11 Eric@Helix, Mar 29, 2011
    Yup. Not only does that 'performance part' yield no performance whatsoever, they include faulty hardware which will, if you're not careful, cause the cover to crack. even if you don't torque the bolts down, the provided O rings squeeze out the side of the bolt. Most unprofessional.
     
  11. Mr. Jim

    Mr. Jim Mudshark
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    #12 Mr. Jim, Mar 29, 2011
    Absolutely! The only plus I see is the copper ends on the coil, that is why I purchased it, cause of that damn #3 terminal. In hindsight, it would have been cheaper to replace the OEM coil!
     
  12. minimark

    minimark Well-Known Member

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    #13 minimark, Mar 29, 2011
    .....and paint it red. LOL
     
  13. Mr. Jim

    Mr. Jim Mudshark
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    #14 Mr. Jim, Mar 29, 2011
    Werd, lol
     
  14. Justa Jim

    Justa Jim Well-Known Member
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    #15 Justa Jim, Mar 29, 2011
    Glad it all worked out Jimbo and all is now well. :Thumbsup:

    Jim
     
  15. Mr. Jim

    Mr. Jim Mudshark
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    #16 Mr. Jim, Mar 29, 2011
    Well now I need to know what kind of adhiesive tape to attach John Cooper Works emblem on valve cover? I know it must withstand the heat, but what to use? I was able to get the emblem off using a hair dryer.

    HELP
    :idea: