Hope some of those in the know here can take a moment to help me consider some options.

I just picked up a dirt cheap 2006 MCS for dirt cheap with a known oil leak.... the engine leaks pretty badly.

Everything is pretty tight as you know in this engine compartment... but I knew this going into it and look fwd to the work in the evenings.

Looking for input on what are some of the common leak areas that could cause a big/fast leak of oil.

The leak is happening, to the best of my knowledge at the front of the engine, on the passenger side (timing chain side).... seems to be tucked up under the supercharger above the alternator.

I am aware of leaky crank sensors... but does not seem to be that (nor in the same area)

Any input is much appreciated... thank you in advance for your input.





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BTW...

Is the red part in this diagram a cover for oil gallery or cover for coolant?
Seems to be in the area of concern.

 

In the diagram, that looks like the water pump flange to me...

...but I could be wrong as I'm a noob myself.

Looked in the Bentley manual and from your descrip area my only wild guess would be oil pump inlet seal but that seems too low down from what you describe and I'm only throwing blind darts...

 

Crank sensor is on the driver's side as is the water pump block seal (S model). A leak from the passenger side (front) is more than likely the timing chain cover gasket, the oil pan gasket or the valve cover gasket on that same side. The supercharger has its own enclosed oil supply (both ends) and uses very lightweight SC oil so I doubt that's the problem. The part detailed with a red square above is not an oil source. It is the water pump inlet for the non-supercharged model. www.oem.com provides a comprehensive breakdown of MINI parts that's extremely helpful.

 

Thank you for your replies so far.

I forgot to add... this is a pressure leak... meaning it happens when the engine is running... and pretty quickly.


Not sure if this changes anything.



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Re: Post #3 above...

FYI, both the oil pump inlet seal and oil pump outlet seal are on the inside of the timing cover, and could never leak oil to the outside of the engine. In the diagram you attached, the only two components which could leak oil externally would be the timing cover gasket (less likely) and crankshaft seal, a more likely candidate - especially on a MINI with a few miles on the clock.

 

If this seal/Seals were bad or blown out...Could it GUSH oil out the motor?

 

Almost any pressure seal is capable of gushing I'd reckon --- starting out as a slight seep, then an actual leak, finally blows the seal completely and gushes.

Is yours gushing oil?

I think AoxoMoxoA has the best advice:


Also from AoxoMoxoA,
an informative post with pictures where you can see that those oil pump seals are internal and would not be leaking externally...

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ml#post4408728

...good luck and I hope you get the issue resolved.

 

did this ever get resolved ?