Hey Guys,

Just thought I would pose this question to the community to see if I could find an answer.

So I had the MINI apart this weekend while working on the fog lights (that's for another thread, involving lots of 3d modeling and manufacturing of some parts and such ) and I decided to check the oil just as a precaution. To my surprise when I pulled out the stick it was essentially dry. The oil was changed about 5k ago 126k then 131k now. I put a quart of oil in last night and the level came up to maybe the lowest of the hash marks. I noticed the bottom of the engine in a couple places has a little seepage but nothing that would leave me to believe I lost that much oil. I haven't found puddles on the ground either.

Anyone have suggestions as to what it might be? I know the oil pan leaks on all first gens but it doesnt seem like thats the problem. Any help is appreciated.

I've read here that a qt low between oil changes is common(?) I suspect it's time to look in the intercooler,oil can collect inside, maybe time for an OCC. Just speculating.

Hadnt heard that about being low after changes. That being said, would just that be enough for the stick to be essentially dry?

Yep, common, just before needed oil change. I think a qt low would not regester on the dip. I don't go past 5k personally, I've never had a low oil problem, so no real experience with this. IMHO a quart low would worry me common or not.

You likely burnt a bit of oil...
Some cars can burn a quart every 1000 miles and still run fine...
Consider yourself VERY LUCKY!!

Ps
Full to add is 1 qt...so if you were below add...
You were more like 2 low...
And your motor holds 5....

Yah, definitely a good thing I checked it when I did. Whats odd is that it doesnt smell like its running very rich apart from cold morning starts but that goes away after it warms up. I would have thought it would be more noticable if I was losing that much oil.

Rich has nothing to do with it....
Rich is gasoline air mixture...
oil has to do with (mostly) the rings on the pistons...
Forced injection motors are hard on them....and the mini's desgins tends to burn a bit..
some motors more than others in mini's...
Also some common mini leaks, the oil blows back....so no oil spots.
Good luck...
and check the oil a bit more!!!!

Some folks have found that "euro" 5w40 oils are a bit better at not burning or leaking...a few meet the mini long life spec our cars use, and are actually on the "list" , as opposed to the more common 5 w30 syenthic that most use in the us.

Seriously, I do need to check it more. Thanks for the advice I'll probably go put in a little bit more before I go out tonight. Thanks.

Its got 5w 40 in it right now. Unfortunately its a huge pain to find any around here...

If you haven't read this already, here's a link...

http://www.motoringfile.com/2009/09/...king-your-oil/

You may have some of the issues listed in the article. Bottom line, keep the oil topped off.