I have a 2009 justa. I have noticed a few oil spots on my garage floor. I took it to a local privately owned BMW shop yesterday. They did a courtesy oil leak check.

They found a small leak from the "brake vacuum pump".

I have searched the internet and this forum. Is the brake vacuum pump the same thing as the vacuum pump that is attached to the head?

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The vacuum pump is assembly #1 in your attachment. I provides vacuum for vacuum controlled components like the turbocharger wastegate and also the brake booster. The brake booster is that disk-like looking component in your attachment. The only component doing any kind of pumping is assembly #1. The brake booster is just a big diaphragm that assists braking.

 

Thanks countryboy. Does the non turbo MINI have a wastegate?

So, then if my pump fails completely, my cam lob could be sheered off and metal go into the engine and my Mini would be a paper weight basically. Is that correct thinking?

I plan to clean the outside of the brake booster this weekend. Dry it off real good. Then drive around, come back and look for the leak. Hopefully it is just the gasket not the entire pump.

 

Ah, sorry. A naturally aspirated engine, like you have in the Cooper, does not have a turbo or a wastegate. So in this case the vacuum pump is applying vacuum to the brake booster.

You have the right thinking. When the vacuum pump is starved for oil, it seizes up, locking the exhaust camshaft, and the timing chain rips off the exhaust cam gear. At this point the pistons and valves will be colliding. You will need a new engine.

Even if you have a little leak, the most important thing to do if you're still driving is to check the oil level. Even though it is leaking it still is getting lubrication if your oil is at the correct fill level.

 

Thanks countryboy..... I miss my hometown of DETROIT! (Berkley to be exact)

 

I'm not too far from Berkeley. Clinton Township. Lots of MINI owners in the local club that live in the Royal Oak/Berkeley area

 

Nice. When I move back there (hopefully one day) I'll be sure to look that up.