So today is the second time i done the oil change on the F56.

From the 1st time, i learned that i have to tighten the oil filter housing assembly really right in order not to have ANY oil sipping out between the housing and the upper assembly.

So knowing that from the 1st time around, this time i tighten the housing pretty good.... I tighten the housing tight enough that you can see the upper assembly slightly move towards the direction i am tightening.


I change my oil at my parents house, and the place i currently live is about 25 miles away. So after i got back to my place, i check the filter housing with a napkin, i can see a small amount of oil on it.

Is this normal, or did i not tighten it hard enough??

I am afraid i'd break the upper assembly if i tighten the housing too hard?

PS: The oil sippage is very minimal on the napkin, not even enough to actually be dripping down.
I am talking about the where the housing gets screwed onto the upper assembly.

 

Of course you do not want to over tighten anything, just until snug is usually good enough for a filter housing, check with your local service dept for exact specs.

Also you have no cost maintenance for 3yrs/36k, why not have the dealer just do it at no cost to you.

BOOT TO BONNET NO COST MAINTENANCE

Maintenance On Us for 3-years/36,000 miles.

It comes standard with every new MINI† and is one of the most comprehensive maintenance programs in its class, covering all factory-recommended maintenance for the 3 years or 36,000 miles (whichever comes first) saving you up to $1,428 in service costs.††

• Engine Oil Services
• Inspection Services
• Brake Pads and Rotors
• Brake Fluid Service
• Wiper Blade Inserts
• Engine Drive Belt
• Engine Air Filter
• Cabin Air Microfilter

hope this helps
-Chris

 

^I can probably answer that part for him. He probably does not agree with the recommended oil change intervals like many of us. I change every 5k so me and the dealer will be taking turns changing it :D

and OP, no leaks from mine. Perhaps you have one of the bad filter housings.

 

OP- Seems to me from your description that you may be over tightening the housing. Find out what the torque spec is. Also lube the o ring seal when installing the filter.

 

It needs to be tightened enough only to squeeze the O-ring which is supposed to do the sealing job not the filter housing.

 

I replaced the oring and made sure it sat where it was suppose to be, I also coated the ring with oil prior to installing.
But anyways, I tightening it again with 1/2 inch today and got it to turn a little more. So hopefully that is good enough. However I didn't position my 32 mm socket on the housing good. And it cut a corner of the 6 point on the housing just by a bit.

So I will replace it with a new housing the next time I do the oil change and see if I have a defective housing or something.


I changed my oil the 1st time at 2,600.
2nd time at 5,600.

The next one I will do it at 10,600.

I never plan on brining my car in to mini..... I am capable of doing all the maintenance s myself. I rather not have the techs scratch my paint and dirty my car unless I have a major problem that I can't fix on my drive way.

 

Can we vote for best post of the new year?

 

Lol it is true

 

You can't even do a proper oil change and torquing of the oil filter housing yet you think youll be able to do all your maintenance lol

 

If I am correct torque spec calls for 18.5 ft lb on the housing. And I am sure I am over that already.

Just because of this, does not make me not able to do a proper oil change. But hey whatever floats your boat pal.

 

But your oil filter housing is leaking

and stripped out the housing

 

More torque is not always better.

With that said I don't bother with a torque wrench for an oil change which I usually do on my own but I paid for this "free" maintenance so I'll be using it. I can understand some wanting to change it more often but I doubt I'll keep it out of warranty. New stuff just isn't made to be worked on by normal people.

 

Well problem is fixed.
No more oil sipping out by where the housing meets with the upper assembly.

But to poster Jeri above, i understand that every forum there are people like yourself.
Honestly what good does it do with the comments you are making seriously?
Does it make yourself seem smarter and more capable?
Well if it does, i guess whatever floats your boat in your imaginary world of yours.

 

Im just defending these "techs" that you are giving a bad name. I just find it ironic you call them out saying you can do your own maintenance but fail to even do an oil change properly the first time.

 

Not calling anyone out, just simple facts that i have encountered.
There is 1 Mini dealer that is close to me, with 2 others that is about 2 hour drive.

I save myself the headaches thats the reason i do it myself, however if you are a tech or a ex-tech who was offended, here i sincerely apologize to you.

But like i said, I'm not calling anyone out. Just truth and experiences i have faced in reality.

 

This doesn't include tire rotation. Is tire rotation not considered a maintenance?
It's not that much and I can just do it myself, but I thought it was included in the free (pre-paid) maintenance.

 

Tightening fixed it?

 

I'm surprised to see there are still some decent people out there, and a MAN enough to make an apology for such little-iest thing which I thought you didn't need to. Actually I thought the other guy owes you an apology for making completely useless (& almost insulting) comments for the problem you were having and also for other readers doing their own oil changes.

I'm glad you fixed the problem.

 

Thanks man, i try not to let things like that bother me.
But anyways
Problem has been fixed.
Tightening it a little more did the job.


I am just a SUPER OCD person lol, i want everything to be perfect.

 

Just as a side note, when I took my Mini in to the dealer for the first scheduled maintenance, a TSB came up on my VIN to replace the oil filter canister. I had changed my own oil prior to that and didn't see any signs of oil leaks or an insecurely fitting canister.

Nonetheless, TSB notices are one good reason to take advantage of the Boot to Bonnet service; otherwise you may never know they exist.

Also, I agree - not having a simple tire rotation as part of that Boot to Bonnet service is a little ridiculous (Mini will graciously charge you $30 for the service though).