2004 MCS HARDTOP 85K miles. I had the oil changed when I was getting my muffler replaced. I talked to the guy and he had worked on coopers before. I get back and they tell me I have a leak. I have them pull the filter cap and the o-ring is in the right place. I drove from Philly home 45ish miles and lost near a quart. I cant see a damn thing. It is coming from the Right Side. Military right, and looks like maybe the oil cooler or something right there is leaking. Is there anything right there with a history of failing? Obviously there isn't enough room to change your mind in the engine bay so changing a part is going to be a.... Pain. I have mirrors and even a scope, but I can't see where it's coming from. Somebody help before I go out and buy the 2012 Civic SI.

 

I bet the put the oil filter on wrong...

 

Changing the oil on the mini is no rocket science. If they can change your muffler sure they can replace your oil, but you can always be surprised by some people.

A picture from were you see the oil leak would be great. Quart is a lot of oil

 

The oil cooler is in that area as well, but the o-ring is the more likely suspect. (See this thread.) I've only heard of them failing internally vs. externally. I'd say it's worth the $8 to get a new filter/o-ring and confirm that isn't your problem. If it is, this one shows the oil cooler.

 

I yield to someone with a lift. We have a local shop that does a ton of work on coopers. Short of pulling off the suspension and the hood I can't get back in there to work.

 

 

I too will bet that the filter can is not on correctly

very possibly the can was simply not turned all the way down. Those not familiar with GEN1 MINI are often surprised to learn that there is virtually no way to get the can seated fully unless you use a wrench to tighten it.

Chris, with the car cold reach back and you can feel the oil filter can ... if you can feel any gap between the cap and the housing then that is most likely where you are loosing oil. If you come away with oil - BINGO. This area should be dry. With the car running you can have enuf pressure to get a serious leak here. The one time I did it wrong (a learning experience) I dumped almost a quart b4 I realized what had happened. And you'll end up with a mess down the starboard side rear of the engine block and over all your suspension components on that side front . . .

p.s. the heat shield here is just thin sheet metal and can be safely bent up and out of the way - the piece under the coolant overflow tank.

 

It was the oil filter housing where it bolts to the block. Went ahead with the entire replacement. It was bent or warped. possibly from the oil change, but I'm not sure. Will look closer when I get it back from the shop.

 

I wasn't even there and I am pretty sure they busted it...

No leak before + gushing leak after = they busted it.