I just picked up my Mini on Thursday. I am loving it but have one concern. Today, with about 600 miles on it I was showing the engine to a friend. The black top parts seemed sort of shiny and I found there was a thin layer of what seemed to be oil on them and small pooling in crevices. I could find nothing lose but it did seem sligtly thicker on the ride side toward the front. I wiped the oil off, looked at it again about 100 miles later at home. It hadn't seemed to spray any more.

Does anyone have any idea where it might have come from or has any one else had the same experience. This is a brand new car, I think something is lose, but it is a three hour trip to the nearest dealer. Thanks for any clues.

 

You can check with your service advisor but I think it is normal to have a light coat of oil on engine surfaces when the car is new. This might help to protect against corrosion and rust on metal surfaces. If you ever want to remove it be very careful because if the solvent or cleaner that you use is harsh it could ruin the MINI paint in the engine bay. Anything the same color as the body of the MINI you will note is dull- not clear coated so it is very easily damaged.
I was cleaning something else and spilled a little denatured alcohol on a body frame area in the engine bay and the paint came right off- exposing the undercoat of grey. Not good. Be very careful.

You can probably just wipe off the oil to reduce it with a clean clothe.

 

Thanks Minihue. I just used a clean shop rag so far so your advice is appreciated for the future. Also, before it is mentioned by someone, apologies since this should have been posted on "beneath the bonnet". Viva le Mini Cooper. :smile: