Hi I just bought an 02 s and i'm loosing oil.. Its not leaking and no fluid in coolant..so it had to be burning right..well it was just smogged and it passed with flying colors.. I just did a tune up n noticed that one of the plugs was loose.. Like less then hand tight.. So I replaced the plugs.. Could that have been the problem? Also wen I put new plugs in I just used regular ngk plugs instead of the factory ones..is that ok? Thank you

 

It could be a bunch of things. First if there is no leak it could be burning a quart per 1000 or more. And at that rate, your would pass SMOG. But if they were never done you may need a cranks position sensor seal, valve cover gasket, or balancer seal. All of them are known to leak and even after replacing they don’t last more than 30,000-40,000 miles.

You may also have a oil pan leak but that is the least likely problem.

But you should check the plugs regularly. Be sure that they are torqued to 20-22 ft lbs and I like to do it when the head is stone cold. If that plug gets really loose and ejects, it will scare the bejesus out of you and will take a bit of effort, or money, to repair. Note that the plugs have washers that are really one time use so tighten them but don’t remove them.

Rich

 

Mini's DO tend to burn oil....many anyway...might depend how they were broken in...but some common leaks do not result in drips....the oil blows back...so a good look at the common stuff, and regularly checking your oil level is a good thing.

 

According to MINI, one quart every 500 miles is within spec. Common places to loose oil, either through combustion or leaking include: oil pan gasket, oil filter housing, crank sensor seal (front of motor), PCV valve/hoses, and of course engine internals like rings, valve guides. Check the bottom of your oil pan. Is it dry?

 

Hey so should I use the recommended plugs or will any kind do fine?

 

My 2002 MCS used to "burn" a bit of oil. Never smoked, never leaked. Oil level would just go down over time. I would check it once a month and top it up. No big thing.

 

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ark-plugs.html

 

So what your saying is that I should get rid of the single prong n go with the 4 prong or "factory"?

 

Our site only provides information not recommendations. Sorry. But if I was coerced to provide an opinion after nearly seven years of MINI ownership, I would recommend factory--to be on the safe side.

 

Well the reason I asked about the plugs is because I recently did a tune up n didn't know the plugs were 4 prong n installed 1 prongs..n noticed a significant mpg decrease.. So go back n get the 4 prong from the auto parts store?

 

You could get NGK 4 prongers....
or switch to NGK iridium....
IMO just stick with NGK's (they seem to work well in the MINI), keep them torqued down and keep then fresh....about 30,000 miles with a pulley max.

 

ok I went n bought the 4 prongers.. So those 1 prongers are no good for mpg on the minis huh?