Ok, last time I changed the oil I noticed a thin coating of oil coming down the front of the oil pan and spreading across the entire bottom of the pan. When I had the car looked at by our local MINI dealer (which I obviously do not trust or this posting would not be here) he stated that the oil was comig from the intake.. that the carank case vents (this I know) blah blah and that the oil had pooled up and started to leak thru the intake seals... now doesn't this oil vaporize and is taken thru to be burned off... I know that some coats the IC and can pool in their... but enough to leak out and then down the front of the engine to create a coating on the oil pan?

I am typically 1-1.5 quarts low b/w oil changes (every 5K, done by yours truly)... but this oil coating has me concerned especially as I am rapidly approaching the 50K mile mark... I know I can clean the oil and install a catch can and wait and see if the oil returns... but I am uncomfortable with his answer and that type of wait... any ideas to the mysterious oil?

 

I had similar symptoms a long time ago (fall 2003) when my PCV valve failed. It's cheap and very, very easy to replace. It's located where the hose exits the front of the valve cover on the passenger side end of the engine. You might also check to see if the 90deg hose attached to it is flexible. If it gets too soft (from heat, though I think they redesigned it a while back) it can collapse while the engine is running. Again, cheap and very easy to replace.

Scott
90SM

 

I had to have the sump gasket replaced recently, apparently not an uncommon problem. Was just weeping a small amount, enough to put the odd drip on my driveway.

 

+1 Had the gasket replaced