(EDIT) You guys were on the money! Turned out that the oil filter seal ring was pinched. I lost about 2 quarts over the weekend...

-Took my '04 MC-S w/ < 20,000 miles to a Mini dealership for its first Inspection 1.

-Prior to this, besides marks from my tires, the drive-way was pretty much spotless and had no leakage of oil.

Pretty good experience at the dealership and was happy. At the end of the service, the service rep did mention that I had a small oil leak near the oil cooler. Didn't seem to be a big issue from the rep and I was told just to keep an eye out on it.

Turns out I didn't need both eyes or 20/20 vision to see this problem….

Took it home and a day and a half later, I noticed oil spots all over my drive-way that wasn't there before. This was during the night so I figured it might have been the water sprinklers leaving water marks under the car… NOPE. Come morning, it was oil.

The oil seems to be leaking from the right-hand (passengers side) and it seems too much of a coincidence that all of this would happen after I went in for the Inspection 1 @ the dealership. Oil looks pretty fresh too. I'll be trying to book another appt. ASAP and try to locate the leakage myself tomorrow.

In the meantime, any ideas?

 

I'd say the chances of it being a coincidence are near zero. They obviously screwed something up while servicing your MINI.

Coming from the passenger side, a likely suspect would be the rubber O-ring that seals the oil filter cover. They might have bunged it up while reinstalling the filter since it's an easy thing to do if one is not careful. You might try looking under the car at the bottom of the filter with the engine running to see if you can see the oil drips forming there.

You shouldn't have any problem convincing the management at your dealership of the conclusion you've already reached (i.e., that this can't be coincidental). Be polite but insistent, and you'll likely elicit their support to make things right.

 

Looks like the filter housing wasn't tightened down properly. Take it back to the dealer and tell them what happened.

 

I agree with the two prior posts, it is likely the oil filter o-ring.
DON'T DRIVE UNTIL YOU CHECK THE OIL LEVEL
(sorry to shout but this is important )

Depending on how far the dealer is you may want them to come get the car. You don't want to cook you engine with low oil level getting back to the dealer.

 

This is why I do my own minor maintenance. Oil changes and tire rotations every 6K miles. Major service with a reputable operator like WMW, not the monkey at the dealership whom I only know by my seat position being ALL the way back. The hell is up with that?

 

Yep,

They might have cut the oil housing cap O-ring when putting the housing on. Last time I saw the oil leak from the O-ring it was draining the oil from the engine like crazy, once the engine started up. Runs down the back of the housing. Check the passenger side , rear of the engine.

I would definitely check the oil.

 

You guys were on the money! Turned out that the oil filter seal ring was pinched. I lost about 2 quarts over the weekend...

 

How does a dealership not know how to work on them. Such a simple job too that's why I do all my own repairs. With the way they handled it and told you about it, it could have been much worse if you didn't notice and were a woman.

Glad you got it figured out.

 

Makes me sad because they hire crappy workers and makes it hard for me to get hired since I am a student that has degree in automotive tech who loves working on cars. Even minis cars since I do alot on my own.

 

Dude! There are scores of mighty fine and quite knowledgeable wrench-turning ladies in our MINI family.

I think the last guy who used words like that around here has a new name...it's Eunuch.

 

I hate the Mini oil canisters/o-rings... In 4 years, I've made a mess 3 times from a broken o-ring. First time didn't lubed it enough, the two other times, I used more than enough and it still got cut. I work in a Toyota dealer and I replace canisters o-rings all the time (most recent Toyota models uses oil filter canisters). A bit of motor oil, done, no leaks.

It's most likely how weak the oem o-rings are, because I've bought cheap Fram filters to get another o-ring and it worked, no problems. Felt much stiffer as well. :s

 

But the ladies that do know how to work on their own cars do the job right because they done it before. ) or notice something wrong with their cars and take it in or fix it. My point

 

Did the dealership accept responsibility for this or give you the runaround?

 

And hopefully a free carwash...bet you backend was kinda...er...greasy!!
And maybe a couple bottles of oil, and HOPEFULLY a nice coupon/discount on your next visit..cause the extra time you had to waste on the extra trip. With the Premium $$$$ you pay for a dealer service, I would HOPE you get premium handling...

I can say it has happened to me....(at a independent shop when I did not feel like DIY'ing it due to time)
The mechanic told me when you use the OEM/MANN filters it tends to happen it, even at the dealer...he has fixed a few......but with the Car-Quest filters (not sure who the maker is) the O-ring seems to fit better, and he has never had an issue....
But I am just stubborn, and brought my own filter....(so my filter/o-ring, my issue, I understand 100%, that is the risk of supplying my own part).
The leak in my case was pretty slow....about 2 quarts an hour....so at idle it did not leave a trail in the shop/parking lot....even with a typical leak check at idle.
But I found it....Tossed a new o-ring on, filled the car up with oil, and gave it a good bath...and all was happy!!
Important thing is you caught it!!
Now...time to clean the driveway....hopefully you tossed some "tide" on it before it had a chance to sit for too long and soak in!!

 

I'd be mad about the driveway. How do you fix that? Who's going to pay for it?

 

Similar experience with my Saab 900SE. In for OLF at an independent mechanic who forgot to put the cap back on after changing the oil. He accepted full responsibility and cleaned up the engine bay. No damage done to the car, fortunately...

 

Well, they're fixing/replacing the o-ring and gave me a loaner for the day. Prior to this disaster, the dealership (which shall remain nameless until the situation is settled for the better or worse) gave a 10% NAM discount.

That's all and well but my driveway still remains a mess. The trail of oil also isn't just on the driveway but also drips into the street.

On one hand, I don't want to be a ungrateful a-hole and demand compensation or help with cleaning all this oil (they gave a NAM discount before all of this).... But on the other hand, this is a pretty big oil spill and it looks really stained.

I've already spread some cat litter and will let it soak in for the night... As for dealing with this mess, I'm not sure how to handle it exactly.

 

People make mistakes but that doesn't mean you should be left holding the bag. You need to get estimates from a professional on what it will cost to clean the driveway. You should be able to at least lessen the stain, but you probably won't be able to get rid of it completely.

After you get the estimate you need to tell the dealer exactly what you want. You can do this without being a jerk. If you're reasonable they probably will be too - at least you'd hope.

 

A Pressure washer will take that up pretty good I believe.

 

Great , glad you confirmed this.

 

I have always good luck with a bit of liquid tide...dribble it on the area...scrub it on with a tiny bit of water...then rinse off...
The longer it sits, the deeper it soaks in...the harder it is to remove.
There are various recipes on the net to remove driveway stains...some solutions are even like a paste you spread on...and it sucks out the oil from the driveway....
If it is sealed... It helps...unsealed...might be difficult.

 

Yea, that's what I was thinking new concrete unsealed like to soak it up, and stain. Some good de-greaser or soap. Think kitty litter might not work as good at this point because its on really thin.

Good luck.

 

Brake parts cleaner will get that up.
Zippy had a good idea with the detergent but the parts cleaner will get any remaining oil.

 

Let's us know how/if you cleaned the spill. For future reference. Yours is as bad as it gets.

 

Fugger, Thank you!!

I purchased my "new to me" 06 JCW a couple weeks ago and took it for an oil change a week ago. I noticed after the oil change a puddle of oil and drippings down my driveway that looked exactly like yours. I brought it back to the shop (prior to reading your post) and was told it was my heat exchanger that was leaking. I was going to have it replaced until I came across your thread and had the filter ring checked. YUP, they twisted it up. Thank you again for saving me a bunch of money that was earmarked to go fast mods!!!