Chasing oil leaks and normal R55 (N12) oil consumption.



2010 R55 104K miles

Oil leaks Issues I’ve addressed:

1) Vacuum Pump

2) Oil filter housing

3) Valve Cover gasket



Dealership says I have a front crankcase seal leak, but local mini mechanic says no. Bought car with 99K.

1. Before fixing issues 1-3 the car burned about 2 qts. of oil between the first change. Now at 104K I’ve used a quart in 2K miles. Is that normal?

1. Local mini mechanic says no front crankcase seal leak but maybe I need a new valve cover, he says when pressure is released when removing the oil filler cap, that’s a sign. I don’t see any oil around the valve cover since the most recent fix about 2K miles ago. Thoughts?

1. Do I need a catchcan? Is it worth it at 105K?

 

I’m sure others will chime in saying it your valve cover and the pvc in it. I’m at 1.5 qts burned in 3750 miles, but I have the n14 and I drive it hard.

 

Thanks!

1) Any recommendations for valve cover/PVC, OEM only? Or are any aftermarket ones good?

2) Do you mean your Clubman has no oil leaks and still burns about 1.5 qts every 3750 miles? Yeah mine burns more when run hard too, just trying to figure out normal, thinking maybe it’s less than a 1qt. Every oil change (5k)

ECS? Any input?

3) When replacing the cover should I install an oil catch can? Will it make a difference at over 100K mileage? Or did the ship already sale on that?

 

1. The OEM ones are expensive, but from what I have read eBay ones have worked out for others, rolling the dice here I think.
2. It is per BMW/Mini spec to burn 1 qt every 1500 miles. I seriously check my oil every time I get gas and empty my OCC, oil catch can.
3. The OCC that would help the most is one that takes care of both sides of pvc. I blocked off my passenger side pvc, this is the one that run into throttle body, and I have the occ on the other side. Don’t know if an occ is going to be of Much help On a non boosted engine other than keep
that junk of your intake valves.

 

If you truly think it’s an oil leak try this stuff, it will help you track down where it’s coming from.

https://www.ecstuning.com/b-liqui_mo...ter/20232~liq/

 

Running the Hamburg Technic Valve Cover on my turbo MINI and its good, the design is off the updated valve cover, three year warranty. OEM Genuine MINI is newest part number ones, and are updated units from Mecaplast (The finish on the plastic is really good over OES ). If you see a Mecaplast on ebay or amazon and its not Genuine MINI or super low price, its a knock off and not Mecaplast. I talked to Mecaplast and they have been informed of copywright issues.. They dont sell into aftermarket. So just watch out for that.

Those little internal PCV can get stuck/crud and the engine consumes more oil.

Most people do the catch can to help reduce deposits and carbon blasting( turbo engine problem) that will need done at some point. Its helps at any point. This is on turbo engines, on the NON turbo we dont see that much,

Oil consumption if not the valve cover can also be oil filter housing oil leak, valve stem seals, or like above other oil leaks. So check those also.

The valve covers can also crack with age and leak oil on the top. We see that a lot with the first time original valve covers from 2007-2010.

https://www.ecstuning.com/Mini-2010-...Engine/Covers/

On the N12 you can replace that back corner PCV, but if you have a hairline crack on the cover and you can hear whistling then the cover need replaced.

 

thanks mines an N14. I’ll check your site for the aftermarket cover you mentioned.

 

Ok, though u were an n12, so i linked that above.

Glad to help

 

I changed the PCV valve resulting in my engine is burning less oil (LOL now same rate as yours) & also idling smoother.

you can get them for about $25 on ebay or amazon.

Not hard to change, just takes some guts to pry cover off.

 

We have the Vaico ones in stock linked above for just the PCV and top cap.