I've discovered the previous owner of my 2002 MCS selected a factory option that I was previously unaware of, specifically the Automatic Oil Replacement System or AORS.

Effectively how it works is that the dealership initially adds the recommended volume of engine oil when the vehicle is new, then from that point onward the vehicle works automatically with the owner to constantly replace the oil. Using a cleverly-engineered gap in the timing chain cover seal, engine oil is slowly purged from the system as it ages, and the owner simply needs to add an equivalent amount weekly through the normal oil filler cap at the top of the engine. The purged oil continues to add value by preventing corrosion on the underbody of the car as it is dispersed widely under normal driving conditions.

Using this ingenious technology the engine is always running with fresh oil, needing only a filter from time to time.

Hats off to those clever buggers at BMW!

 

This was nothing new in 2002. This is just a slight modification to a feature that has been present in all Minis since 1959. Only the exact location(s) of the cleverly designed purge holes varies.

 

My wife's PT Cruiser is the same way...it's a 2003, and we bought it new......I'm now adding about 1-2 quarts of oil between each 3,000 mile oil changes......and it's not leaking at all...the engine is eating the oil rather than dumping it on the ground......but there is no noticeable "blue oil smoke" out the tail pipe that I can see......so it's eating it at a slow rate at this point.....

Bryan

 

Its British. If there's no oil under them, there's no oil in them!

 

It's a 17 year old car. They all leak by that age, no matter who makes them. If it leaks and is less than 10 years old then there's an issue. Anything rubber or plastic turns to crap over time, including safety items like brake hoses and fuel lines. Be sure to check them, and check your coolant hoses on your leaky old MINI while you're at it! Oil leaks destroy them and can lead to a catastrophic failure.

 

My 2001 Ford E-250 is Bone dry at 250K miles.

Never replaced any seal, O-ring or gasket.

 

Island_Moose,
very well written and clever.
Much enjoyed.
Well done!

Now,
we need some mugs made up with the MINI wings...