It's a 2008 clubman. I notice engine oil level drop dramatically and I have to add 1 quarter about every 2 weeks to maintain above the line.

The engine oil around the engine is kinda wet and I remember a class 1 leak (a drop formed but not dripping) under the oil pan.

My questions is： Is this normal for a 2008 mini and if it needs some fix? The car is running normal and the only thing bothering me is to add some oil every now and then.

if so, what might be the problem? What I guess is the valve cover gasket.

Any idea?

Thank you

 

Could be the valve cover gasket, or the cover itself. Worth replacing the seal and see if that fixes it. Can you see wet oil in the rear where cover about meets the intake manifold? They tend to leak there. Could also be Crank gasket, or RSM, but more typically oil filter housing gaskets. Very, very common, and if that should be addressed because of possible engine seize. The leaks only get much worse, never better. About a $1000 service from the dealer, $500 at a good indy, and $12 if you do it yourself, but takes about 6 hours.

 

Thank you for your reply!

I have attached the pics that show the leaking around the engine head, is there any clue that leads to leaking besides the valve cover gasket?
I also have difficulty finding the video on YouTube, it will be appreciated if you can provide a link or source for me. Thank you!!!

 

1. Are you using a funnel when you add oil to the car?

2. We don't see a lot of failed valve cover gaskets on the Coopers, but it is possible.

3. Vacuum pump oil leaks are notorious on the N12/14 engines, and can be cheaply resealed at home with some black RTV and time.

4. Oil filter housing gasket could be leaking.

 

I just found a small puddle of oil under the intake manifold as showed in the pic. Any idea about what the leak might be ?

 

Vacuum pump gaskets are leaking like a siv. You can reseal the pump with RTV, some cleaning supplies and time for under $20.

 

Vacuum pump or oil filter housing gaskets. That doesn't look like a valve cover gasket leak.

 

Thank you for the info! I did some research still can't find a video on this issue. Do i need to replace the vacuum pump or just the gasket? Thank you

 

the cheapest way would be the gaskets, i guess. you really dont need vidoes to do this work. i think there are three bolts around the vacuum pump. see this link
http://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/show...diagId=11_3918

 

2 bolts that hold the vacuum pump to the head, and if it's a turbo car there is a 10mm bolt holding the turbo coolant feed line to the vacuum pump.

Remove the pump, disassemble it, clean it in either mineral spirits or copious amounts of brake clean, have some engine assembly lube on hand to lube the internal workings of the pump, add a skim coat of black RTV to the gaskets & surfaces, reassemble and let sit over night to let the RTV set.

 

Or buy a new one, depending on how many miles on the car, but on a 2008, if it's leaking, I'd spend the $150 for a new one and just replace it.

 

Thank you so much for all your helpful replies, I'll update how it works on my car.