Hey guys. Here's a quick stupid question. What am I? I keep seeing these "R" numbers and have no idea what they mean. All I know is I have a 2013 MINI Cooper Hardtop, 6 speed manual. I'd like to buy these for him, but all these "R" numbers are confusing me. You'd think these would be a once size fits all.

Regards,
David

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No worries. Top "sticky" post: https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...eat-sheet.html

 

Thanks much Steve.

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Yes it could be the trans maybe the shaft seal. Modern seals are pretty tough but if one got nicked or the shaft got dinged in assembly then it might show up like this also the shaft seals have a spring inside that can get dislodged. I like the MINI dealer by me I think they have a great service department. Just be clear what you want from them, if you don't ask they may not be able to just offer. Also be sure they explain what caused the leak, modern seals should work right away not after being in service for a bit. And yes Mini's are a lot of fun to drive.

 

David:
Rather than add to my prior post on this subject I'll just add a new post.
I had the same identical problem on my 2013 JCW Hardtop as I has said prior. I even have the same identical pictures on my camera. My SA asked me to let it go a while as they didn't really want to tear down a brand new car. Long story short. At 1,200 miles I made a 2,000 mile round trip from Cali to CO and back. Upon return I put the car up on jack stands and inspected the "leak" again. It had streamed under the car for about one foot. I cleaned it thoroughly with brake clean, and drove the next day 115 miles to my dealer. It was still clean as a whistle, and still is at 6,600 miles. The consensus by the dealer and myself was that the tranny had been overfilled at the factory.
What is the build date of your car as posted on the drivers door jamb? Mine is Feb of 2013.
Something to think about when you take it into your dealer.

 

Re: trans overfill..

That was also my thought..

 

The R prefix came to be when the Rover Group was affiliated with MINI! The valve caps are cool. I have them on both my JCW Hardtop and my wife's Clubman S.

 

Hi Guru. The black metal plate that has the vehicle weight, VIN number ext. says "03/2013" Also, will this show up like this, say after a few hundred miles?

I will say that little oil bubble STILL hasn't dropped, which leads me to believe it's quite slow.

@ Other posters: Thanks for the feedback. If it was tranny overfill should I do anything?



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looks very odd to me... never heard of this before

 

David:
Being our cars were built within a month of each other, the detective in me makes me think that during assembly in that time frame, someone was overfilling 6 speed manual trannys, either during assembly or on the assembly line. My leak showed up right away when the car was new. I would take it to the dealer as you have indicated you are going to do, and have them check the level. Won't hurt it. I drove mine 3,200 miles like that. In my 75 years young, and working on cars for many years, I've never seen a seal "heal up". I have seen oil leaks from over fill! I'm sure it'll be fine to take to your dealer.

 

Hi Guru. Thanks for the feedback. I booked an appointment online for 9:00am this morning. The oil bubble dropped and I was able to run my finger over it (though I barely reached it). It's certainly not red in color and looks more like synthetic motor oil to me. It's quite clean actually, the same color and clarity that shows on the oil dip-stick. Here's a picture of my hand with the oil.

Thanks again everyone, I'll let you know what's discovered today.

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Currently at the MINI service center. They're very accommodating (BEST coffee). Strangely, I was told I'm due for an oil change at no cost to me of course. Huh? I only have just under 400 miles on him ... what happened to every 10k?

I'll keep my fingers crossed, and hope all is fine. They said if they need to keep the car more than 3 hrs, they'll put me in a loaner.

Regards,
David (worried in Florida). :(
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Maybe the oil change now because of initial break-in. The transmission fluid should be the same color as engine oil, only automatics use red fluid. Hope they find the source!

 

Thanks Rick. Here I sit waiting patiently. Every time the associate walks out I give him that look like when a doctor comes out of the operating room.

And so, here I sit .... :(
Regards,
David

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Oil change is mileage or 1 year. The car could be due for it's 1 year or it needs to come out to help them diagnose the leak.

 

You're exactly right. The service advisor said the car was manufactured in 03/2013 so they changed the oil as it came up as 1 year.

Also, I'm getting a loaner because the Front Transmission Seal needs to be replaced. The service advisor said it's not common. However, there's no charge because it's all covered under warrantee. So one poster above was correct, it's not motor oil, it's actually transmission oil. Since it's a manual transmission it's not red like the auto-tranny models.

I should have my MINI back sometime tomorrow afternoon.

I'm already missing him. :(

Regards,
David

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Here's my loaner while my MINI-Me gets fixed. Should have him back by tomorrow evening, so I was told. In the meantime, I get to drive an "S" loaner.

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Good to hear they are getting it taken car of for ya!!
And you get to have some fun in a loaner...go tear up some roads!!

 

Zippy. My wife wants to drive this one when I get home because it's an automatic transmission. I can't believe the pep this auto "s" model has. Amazing!

Regards,
Dave

 

Run the loaner in Sport mode. The speed-sensitive downshift on the auto is amazing.

 

Steve, I noticed that but turned it off because I wasn't sure how it works. It also has these two things that look like thumb shifters.

I only have it until Wednesday morning, so I doubt I'll learn the full effect of the "S" model. I suppose that's not a bad thing since I'll be going back to my base MINI Hardtop Wednesday morning. I still love him though.

 

I have a countryman auto. It's most fun when I let the car shift itself with the Sport button pressed. It even downshifts effectively when approaching stop lights. I have the paddle shifters but rarely use them.

 

So the dealer called and said the part came in early. My car is actually ready today, but by the time I picked up my son they'd be closed. So I'm going to pick up my MINI-Me tomorrow.

I asked the service advisor if they changed the tranny fluid and he said yes. I also asked if they cleaned the entire bottom so I can keep an eye on it and he responded, "We have to, is the only way to make sure the leaked is fixed." He further stated the tranny fluid was a tad low but not much. He also said, "You're all topped-off now."

So here's my wife enjoying the loaner. That clubman "S" Turbo is an awesome machine. Even the automatic version. Wow!!

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Happy to see all is well.

 

Thanks my friend. I'll be happier when I pickup my MINI tomorrow morning.

Regards,
David

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