After noticing an oil spot in the garage, I have found a leak in what I believe is the engine seal between the transmission and engine. I also think that there might be a missing fastener between the two (see the third picture). Maybe this is causing the leak?

After taking the first two pictures, I wiped the area clean. The rag definitely smelled of engine oil and was dark brown. After 24 hours, there was already a new drop forming (3rd picture).

Can someone confirm or deny my suspicions? I'm a total rookie when it comes to this stuff and before I head to the dealer I'd like to hear what others think.

Thanks.

 

Ok I tried to get under to see if a bolt goes there , but I'm to old ! But it should not be leaking bring it in .

 

I had the EXACT same issue with my 2007 MCS! From day one it leaked. I just thought it was Cosmiline melting off the engine. It kept doing it for weeks so I took it in. Turned out it was the rear main seal that was leaking.

the "missing bolt", according to my MA, isn't actually missing. there isn't supposed to be one there for whatever reason.

 

warranty happens.

 

What is your build date? Damn I have to check mine..

 

Build date was in the last week of January.

I dropped the MINI off at the dealer this morning and the last I heard they were doing the dye/UV test to figure out where the leak was coming from.

 

Mine was 3rd week of January.

Please keep us posted.

 

Oil leaks in new cars **** me off!

 

British cars are neat. So much character.

 

Surfblue says: Your car is simply carrying on an old British tradition. My 62 Cooper did it, my 70 Norton Commando did it, my 07 S hasn't done it YET.

 

I, too, am having the same issue. I have monitored it for a few weeks now by taping a white piece of paper to the garage floor. My suspicions are correct. I have the exact same leak. Made an appointment with the dealer. Car is going in on Monday

 

Rut Row....this is not good.... Please keep us posted on the outcome...

Donna

 

There is an old joke: Why don’t the British make refrigerators? They can’t figure out how to make them leak oil.

 

I will. It's really got me a little p'd off though. I've been driving for almost 30 years and this is the first car I have ever had to have the transmission fixed because of a leak.

 

Come on Guys, be reasonable.!! ONE LEAKY GASKET or seal in thousands of cars. whats the panic.

 

Definitely looks like the rear main seal is leaking. Not good .

 

It was the rear main seal. Plus, the dealer replaced the input shaft seal while they were at it.

 

Hope that solved your problems, good luck!

 

Glad to hear your back on the road. How long did the dealer have the car for?

 

They had it for 6 days! I guess the mechanic who worked on it had to take a day or two off...

They gave me an 07 MC auto as a loaner for the week and it was a blast to drive! (A little more of a hassle to get the kid in the carseat, however.)

 

Welcome to the world of british auto. Our MG T series clubs news letter was called Perpetually Dripping. One of the mesteries was the cotter key
in the bell housing that was put in at the factory from the inside out. Finally
our tech editor, who worked at the factory, revealed its purpose. It was the
factory fix for the leaky rear main seal. It kept the oil from building up in the bell housing and oiling the clutch disc by letting the oil drain out the bottom of the bellhousing. Nice fix

 

I have owned 4 MINIs, including a Clubman S like the one owned by the OT, and never have experienced any oil leaks, so pls don't generalize.

 

UPDATE: I took the car in on Monday. It was a leaking from the valve cover, not the transmission. They replaced the whole thing. I guess it ran down the side of the block to where the transmission sits. I picked it up on Tuesday afternoon. Great customer service at Mini of Towson . No problems so far . I'll keep checking it every chance I get, just to make sure.

 

Good to hear that all is better now....

Donna