I changed the oil 5-6 weeks ago and today, I noticed the level was way down about 1 qt. There is oil covering the front of the oil pan but I don't have any dripping onto the garage floor. From other threads, it seems there is a gasket on the front of the engine that tends to leak?
Since it seems to be a fairly involved task to get in there, is there anything else I should do while I have the front opened up?

Is this oil consumption normal?

 

How many miles on car and how many miles since you did the oil?


The crank position sensor gasket leaks. Things you can do while you are in there, service the blower, new belt, replace water pump, service cooling system in general.

 

The Mini has 85000mi on it. I have driven possible 2-3k miles since the oil change. I was <less than a quart low.

Thanks for the tips on what else to do when I have the front off.
Ian

 

1Qt. in 3K isn't too bad. I was doing about 1Qt. in 1k miles for a little bit.

You should probably adopt the 3-5k oil change interval. Then you don't have to worry too much about it.

 

The crank position sensor gasket can be done in under an hour....
You jack the motor up...and swap it...
Or do service mode, bumpers off....and reach in and do it...pick your method.
I would clean the area.... And monitor...

 

Zippy is right. Clean and monitor. Could possibly be oil pan gasket. Do you park on a hill?