So, I took my car in today to get my oil changed...MY first one on the car. The mechanic tells me that I have a leaky oil pan gasket and that he could fix it for $1000. I laughed..it must be made of gold for that price! Is that normal? How hard is it to change yourself? I would think that the factory warranty would cover it. I only have 40k on my MCS. Any suggestions?

 

First I would call the dealership and see if they will cover it. If not it not that hard. You have driven 40k miles and not changed the oil? That's a lot of miles on the oil. If it's the first oil change the dealership should have paid for it. Don't go another 40k on the next oil that's way too long.

 

Oh comon!!! Do you honestly think I would drive 40k with no oil changes? lol...I just bought the car 3 months ago. I called the dealer today and my warranty just expired last month...figures. I'm gonna take in it later this week to get the gasket fixed. The dealer says $700 as apposed to the local oil shops $1000. I wonder what else they will find while it's in there....

 

Sorry you said first oil change at 40k. If you are a little mechanic you can do it your self. Also the guys at the dealership work on MINI on the side, they may do it for half of what the dealership charges.

 

I'm not sure what is involved with the pan gasket but when I got mine fixed under warranty it took them about 5 hours.

 

I had my oil pan off in about 4 or 5 hours as well I think.

It is quite involved. You have to take off the bumper cover and bumper. Slide the modular front end forward and support it on long bolts. Take off the right front wheel and wheel well. Remove the drive belt, the skid plate, and the air conditioning condenser pump. Then the power steering fan and lower engine mount. Then the bolts for the oil pan can be removed, but in a certain order. I forget that order, and my Bentley manual is way up in the garage. BTW, drain the oil before taking the bolts out. For reinstallation, the bolts also have to be put back in a certain order too. Then everything gets put back on. This is why it takes so long. Everything is either in the way of bolts or is directly bolted to the oil pan. Have fun.

 

Forget that mess...I'll let the dealership do all that...MAYBE they can put my headers on while they are in there!