Bought my 2011 MINI in Feb, with just under 70k miles, a little high I know, but I got such a good deal on it, I couldn't pass it up and service records show it has been well maintained.

It is about halfway between miles when I bought it and the scheduled maintenance miles it is telling me (about 7000 more). I decided that since I wasn't fully sure what oil was in it and like to know these things, I decided to do it myself so I know what is going on in there.

Up till this point, it has ran great - check oil every fill up, which is about every 2 weeks, and never had to add so it doesn't seem to be burning any at all.

I changed filter (OEM), and oil and used Castrol Syntec Euro 0W-30. I also went ahead and changed the air filter and cabin filter for good measure. All went well except that the forward 2 screws on the air filter housing won't tighten down for some reason, but the air box seems to be tight so no big deal.

I put in 4.4 Quarts per specs and then drove it about 7 minutes (up to 40 mph) to the gas station. Checked the oil with my Cravenspeed (HIGHLY recommended) dipstick and noticed 2 things that I hadn't noticed before but that may just be because I hadn't picked up on it but it may have always been like that. I don't know.

First, i did smell a little bit of oil burn and am assuming that may be due to some oil that may have dripped when removing the filter as I hadn't smelled burned oil before.

Second, as I had the dipstick out, something caught my eye - there was a little wafting smoke coming out of the dispstick tube. It was white, no foul smell really, and not that much at all. May not even be worth mentioning but since I noticed it and hadn't noticed it previously, I figured I would at least ask if this was normal or what it may be caused by.

Mike

 

Right after an oil change, I think what you saw is normal....
Oil drips when the filter is changed unless you are very careful....and you can get the hot oil smell...
Just be 100% sure that it's not leaking around the top of the housing...the o-ring on the top can sometimes slip off or tear when the cap is screwed in....
The steamy smoke...I'd guess it's just a bit of "burn off" from the oil getting hot the first time....which is some of the lighter components of it boiling off....

 

If your engine was hot when to checked the oil a little smoke, or possibly steam, not that unusual with new synthetic.

 

I've seen that white smoke from the dipstick hole. never been concerned.

 

I would keep checking that oil daily until you know all is well.

I cannot explain this, I never knew why or what happened, but I've kept it as a learning lesson all these years.

Back in 2000 I was driving an '86 Celica. Made the switch to synthetic. Topped it off properly, put the car away, and drove to work the next morning. During the final 2-3 miles (35 total) of the commute, the car felt funny and smelled hot when I parked. Checked the oil and the stick was bone dry. Took a full filling of oil. Never happened again, but I figured the new synthetic lube was just so pure it burned right out or found a place to leak from.

Never happened again, and there wasn't a drop on the garage floor when I got home (yes, the first thing I checked was the drain plug) but from then on, anytime I switch a car to synthetic I check the oil like a madman until the second oil change

 

Just curious, why are you running 0W-30?

 

Good point, here's what's recommended:

http://new.minimania.com/MINI_Engine...ecommendations

 

0w-30 will mix with 5w-30 and was told by BMW that MINI will be phasing out the 5w-30 ( including the part no. ) in favor of the 0w-30 so don't worry about it.