The service plan on my 2011 R56 has ran out, so now I'm responsible for my own oil change.

It has been 7500 miles since the last oil change, so I did one today and was astonished when I drained 6 quarts of oil!

On one hand, this is a sign that my engine is not burning oil. On the other, I wonder what damage this rate of overfill has done to my Mini's engine?

 

All of the oil lost in previous Mini's has found it's way into your engine! Seriously, I doubt that any damage was done. Just be sure to monitor your oil level, because if your Mini is actually PRODUCING oil, OPEC may need to be notified...

 

hahaha well this is a new one. Usually see a million threads about the car going through 6 quarts of oil. Were you adding oil and not checking the dipstick or was the stick saying it was in need of oil? If it was me... Id be thrilled!! if my car was able to go 7500 miles without burning any oil. Its more of the opposite though for me unfortunately. I'd just keep an eye on the car for the next couple thousand miles to see if anything out of the ordinary happens.

 

MINIs are notoriously difficult to read the dipstick, but I doubt significant damage has been done by being overfull. The potential source of damage comes from having air bubbles in the oil (if the level is high enough that the crank/rods whip the oil into a foam). Just get a routine to check the oil (I check mine on the weekend, first thing in the morning after the oil has drained down overnight).

Have fun,
Mike

 

Overfilling oil capacities is never a good thing. There is a reason cars come with an exact oil capacity specification.

 

Volume on some cars can go up due to moisture.....do lots of short trips?!

 

Gotta love the Mini dip stick, a horrible design.

 

I realize it is stupid money, but the Cravenspeed dipstick really works. Suck up the $75, and find out what your oil level really is. You can sell it on eBay when you sell the car.

 

You can pretty seriously damage a motor from overfilling the oil. However, it sounds like the car has been running fine so just put the proper amount of oil in and keep on enjoying the car.

 

It was probably overfilled it at the dealer on your last oil change. They fill the engine oil from a bulk oil barrel, so they don't have discrete bottles to count as they add oil.

I've read a few accounts of the oil being overfilled at the dealer.

Dave

 

The oil wasn't an odd colorwas it? As in coolant possible making its way into your oil?

 

Also make sure it didn't smell like fuel...