Just did an oil change on my 2010 Justa Cooper. When I removed the filter, I noticed an O-ring lying in the bottom of the filter housing. This O-ring is about the size of a nickle in outside diameter, maybe a little smaller. It's torn, which probably explaines how it got to where it was. Could have been there since manufacture, I suppose.

Anyone know where this is supposed to go before I call the MINI dealer? Have I damaged my motor running it with this thing out of place?

Thanks.

 

Why are you doing the oil service and not the dealer? You paid for the service.

 

They'll get to do it when it hits 12K miles. I'm not waiting that long. And it's a damn good thing I didn't. Would you want to drive 12,000 miles with a broken O-ring runnin' around in your filter housing?

 

Well, here is the breakdown of the assembly...I dont see an O ring of that size for this application. Are you sure it came from the oil filter housing ? There are some sensors in the housings for the R53's which would have a gasket, but not sure of your set up. Could be it came from further up stream and the filter caught it ?

 

There should be an oil pressure switch attached to the housing. Here is the assembly and shows a round gasket. Did you notice any oil seepage from the area before changing the oil ?




And there is an acutal O ring for the bottom of the dip stick assembly too. Could be that or an extra one got into the works ?



07 11437560211 O-RING - 9,5X2

 

Take the Oring into the dealer and explain it to them. They should replace it under warranty.

 

if anyone knew where it came from, that is.........

Isn't this the second time someone's reported an extra o-ring in the bottom of their oil cannister on first change like this? seems I remember someone else having a similar issue a few months ago.....

 

No noticeable oil leaks or seepage from either of those areas.

It's truly an O-ring, not a gasket. Here's a pic:



You can see where it's been torn.

In the diagram of the filter housing, I don't see spring-loaded plunger type assembly that's inside (forward part of the housing). Is that part of the pressure sensor, or is it some kind of bypass assembly? Could the O-ring have something to do with that?

Certainly wouldn't be the first time a "spare" part was found in the oil filter or oil pan. Perhaps I'll call my sales associate. He's a big tinkerer. He might know, or ask the service department for me.

 

I wasn't going to say it...

 

I'm pretty sure I'm not the only one here who doesn't want to wait until the 12k mile, free oil change interval is up before putting fresh oil and a filter into their MINI.

I'll happily let MINI do it for free when the computer says it's time, but right now I'm glad I wanted to change it at 3k miles.

 

Do it.

 

Why are speedometers always set slightly higher than actual?
How come you can take that turn at 60 but the sign says 35?
Why does MINI set the oil change interval 15k?

There is a measure of caution and cushion involved on purpose by the engineers. I'm sure the MINI (BMW) engineers know they can go much further than that. That's why they back it up with warranty.

I didn't start the 7.5k oil changes until it came out of warranty because now I'm taking the gamble and not MINI.

 

Just for the sake of finding out where it came from. I would compare it to one for the dip stick - if the MINI parts dealer has one in stock to match it up against.

 

To get from the oil sump (if it's from the dipstick tube) it would have had to go thru the oil pump pick up screen - I don't think it could do that.

It pretty much has to be from the oil filter housing assy if anywhere......

I'm almost positive this is the second one that's been reported too.

 

Why's the sky blue?
Why's water wet?
Why did Judas grab the Romans while Jesus slept?

These are all questions best left unanswered, but if the guy wants to change his oil early, where's the harm?

 

Agreed. And no oil filter on earth is effective/lasts more than 8-10k miles anyways.....his MINI, his $.

And any warranty issues arising from not changing it sooner, will likely have no ill effect until AFTER the warranty expires.....so why would BMW/MINI care ?

 

A GZA quote I believe off the Liquid Swords album. And it just made my day. Thanks for that!

and I thought it was Judas "rat" to Romans....

 

Trust me you are not the only one. I changed my oil at I think 4200 miles because I would like my Mini to last without frying turbos and having loads amount of carbon buildup in the future.

 

Finally took the O-ring to my MINI service center (been out of town for a couple weeks). The technician said the O-ring is from the spring-loaded plunger assembly, but serves no real purpose. They find the O-rings in the filter housing all the time, and just throw them away.

It's probably like the plastic cap I found at the bottom of my Mustang's transmission pan. It's just there to aid in assembly, and doesn't harm anything once it's knocked loose during operation.

 

makes sense. strange none the less

 

I too changed my oil, -did it at about 1,500 miles ...wanted to get all the new engine break in metallic flakes and such out. You have any car engine rebuilt and they'll have you change your oil after 500 miles.
Oil is cheap, engine is not!

 

so how many miles is on your car?


If you are concerned that 12K is too long an interval because of what you feel send an oil sample for analysis and have facts to back up those feelings.

I recommend blackstone labs. Using Castrol Euro formula 0W30 I have gotten 10K safely with only the beginnings of oil component breakdown.

Identify what oil is in your car, test it a 5,8 and 10K and longer if the data supports that it is indeed doing its job and then change it according to that. I for example change it at 8K intervals on my spyder because I am ensured the oil has not expired in its protectiveness, it works out to 1 change per year and I do it knowing the facts that this is indeed a safe and acceptable interval.

JMHO

 

Geez people if he wants to change his oil every 500 miles its his choice. Why is everyone jumping in on this??? Everyone drives different and everybody thinks different. JUST LET IT GO

 

First I do not think I jumped on anyone. Second I would like to think that someone who cares about their car would want to rely on fact not mumbo jumbo regarding interval. Third I am only 12 people I am not everyone. forth how you drive and what you think has no baring on how long a particular oil formulation will protect the inside of an engine.
fifth there is no spoon.

 

Cripes! You'd think those of us who change our oil more frequently, were somehow making YOU pay for it.

Excuse me if I don't embrace the idea of having grungy old oil circulating through my motor. And why would I pay for a $25 - $30 oil analysis to determine the condition of my oil? I could could very well put that money towards something like... I don't know... 5 QUARTS OF NEW MOTOR OIL!

Now I'm off to dump my used, but still perfectly good, motor oil into the nearest waterway.

Talk amongst yourselves.