Hi All,

I recently took my car R56 in for repairs due to a coolant leak. I replaced the water pipe along with a coolant flush and a break bleed.

When I picked my car up, I was notified of 2 oil leaks that were diagnosed as coming from the turbo lines and valve cover. I opted not to repair as every time I fill up my gas, I always check for oil levels and top up accordingly as it is known that R56s tend to "Burn" oil more.

What is puzzling is that ever since the service with Mini Yaletown (Vancouver BC), my parking spot has suddenly developed bad oil stains, and looking at the spot daily seems to be leaking more. I am also checking oil levels daily since I have observed this, and noticed the oil leak has significantly gotten worse. The level my dip stick shows after just 4 days is equivalent what was previously 3 entire gas tank fill-ups (Typically will top up oil when @ ~75%).

I am looking for a logical explanation on how these leaks would get suddenly worse after only coolant system repairs. I cannot make any sense as to why the oil leak would suddenly get worse, and I hope my worst fears are not realized that the service department has tampered with the oil lines themselves...

They quoted the turbo lines + valve cover replacement @ ~$5k all in, which is going to be a huge hit to me especially during these times...

Do you guys have any advice one way or another? Is there any way tampering can be detected? Do you think it is actually truly a coincidence? I just needed to get this off my chest and get some feedback otherwise this will keep bothering me. If you guys think there's nothing I can do about it, I will totally accept it.

Thank you all for reading through.

 

Common advice is to get a second opinion real soon. $5K seems way out of line. Seek out an independent German motors shop. Other MINI enthusiasts in your area will be able to help with that.

 

I had the leaking oil line off the turbo replaced as well the both gaskets on the oil filter cooler and this was all done for $1,000 in Ferndale, WA just 45 minutes south of you. You are getting totally screwed with a $5k service estimate.

-Kevin

 

Probably just a coincidence, but definitely get someone to look at it if you aren’t comfortable doing it yourself. That labor cost is what gets you. The valve cover is around $400 if it needs replaced. But just the gasket is much less! Oil lines are probably $120 tops for the parts. But these cars are labor intensive when you take it to a shop. I was quoted 10 hours of labor to replace a turbo and 8 hours for the oil filter housing gaskets, separately. I’m in the area just north of Seattle, let me know if I can help.

 

I replaced my valve cover with the $57 one off Ebay and results were excellent, took me about 40 minutes to do.

-Kevin

 

Not sure how it works in Canada, but if you understand how the mechanics are compensated it makes sense that issues pop up that either don't exist or mysteriously got worse. I had a whole bunch of phantom things called out on our Countryman by the dealership before we sold it.

 

Thank you all for your responses. I am getting a second opinion tomorrow morning from another mechanic who is known to be very honest. I will let you guys know what he finds.

 

Most likely the oil filter housing and oil cooler gaskets leaking. Buy the Detroit Tuned super kit and find a good local shop familiar with minis or tackle it yourself. Once those gaskets start leaking it gets worse progressively faster. I would get those done first then see if your valve cover is leaking. If your car is running fine I would doubt its leaking enough to be showing up on the ground. It should be pretty obvious if you look around its perimeter. Its not the most fun job but there are plenty of how to's around. If you have small hands you can even do it without putting it in radiator service position. I've done it that way a couple times now. 5K is certainly well out of line. Check the crankcase seal too. Another famous leak location that leaves those dreaded spots on the ground. Pelican Parts has a good tech article on tracing oil leaks on the R56.

https://www.pelicanparts.com/techart..._Diagnosis.htm

You should be able to trace it pretty easily and know what you are dealing with. Good Luck!

 

Will definitely look into the super kit. Looks very promising.

Mechanic called me and replaced solenoid, he replaced because it was dripping. He is running the car for a bit to see if there are further leaks. Amazing the solenoid wasn't even mentioned by Mini...

 

Wow, really like this mechanic.
After solenoid replacement he quoted me just a mere $275 226 CAD (over quoted on phone, this is what I actually paid). He has had the car from 10am-4pm to make sure its not leaking anywhere else and while he was doing that he was cataloging everything else "wrong' with my car. All just cosmetic stuff, rear wiper, some bulbs, fog lights not working properly, all the stuff I knew was wrong already but didn't bother since it wasn't that bad.
He is quite certain at this point that its not leaking anywhere else, so hell yes. All the power to him, you have my business and I'm getting everything else repaired and I'm only down $750 CAD or so.

Amazing service from Peter with Automotion in North Vancouver if anyone is around the area. I am over the moon with this guy, and will be writing awful reviews with Mini Yaletown in the near future, along with confronting them directly about my discoveries.