I have a Turbo R56 Mini that is leaking a lot of oil from the oil pipe that goes into the top of the turbo. I have replaced the banjo bolt and crush washers for the connection on the top of the turbo but it still leaks. The leak seem to be coming from the bottom of the pipe itself between the pipe and the connection that the banjo bolt goes into (see picture).

I was just wondering if anyone here has ever had to replace this line on there mini before and had any insight on how to replace it.

 

I am literally on a break right now from replacing my turbo including the line you are talking about. From what it looks like it is behind the gasket/heatshield for the exhaust manifold and the catalytic converter. I do not see how you can replace without removing the turbo and exhaust manifold, although I could be mistaken.

 

Yes, mine has leaked there before, I would try get it fixed asap. You don't want to starve the turbo of oil.

 

Mullin5 since your in the middle of replacing your turbo do you know if taking off just the downpipe would give me enough access to get the bolts and replace the pipe??

 

To replace that seal you have to R&R the turbo unfortunately

 

Thanks for the reply. Never seen R&R before I assume it is Remove and Reinstall? I was worried that was the only option. Hopefully this weekend I will be able to replace it. Have to ride the bus this week. Since I have to remove the turbo and exhaust manifold do you guys have any tips or gotchas i should know about when removing it?

 

No, it wouldn't. The pipe is behind the exhaust manifold partially plus another heat shield between the CC and the engine block, you might be able to touch the banjo bolt, however there is insufficiant clearance to turn let alone remove.

 

So many gotchas.......... You will drain alot of coolant, you will need an exhaust manifold gasket, you will remove much of the front end. I worked about 8 hours to get the turbo off and am at a standstill now due to no stud bolts on the new turbo body.

 

Here is a video on putting the front end into the service position for working the turbo, but more than this is needed:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T_BKvnEPJNQ

 

Thanks man that is awesome. I would have never know that there was a service position that the font end could have been put into. I just assumed that you were stuck with the room that you had or you had to take off the whole front end completely.

Still cant believe how much work it is going to be just to change out that one pipe. I feel like I need to do more while I'm at it. Maybe a new turbo :D

 

Yeah, lots of work, lots of things need/should be new like nuts for exhaust manifold, gaskets, etc.

 

Here is a pic of the oil line with turbo removed. Sorry it is blurry, blackberry camera sucks.

 

I found an oil leak on ours further down the oil line. It appears to be coming from the plastic elbow in the bottom right corner. Is this a common failure point? Is it considered part of the oil feed line? We had this leak replaced under warranty about 9k miles again, I think it's the same issue.

 

Hi,

I have the same problem as above. (Possibly two places for leak.). Plastic elbow and maybe fitting in the beginning of oil pipe. ( big arrow in a picture).
Mine is 2008 clubman S with 67K. Does anybody know the repair price from a dealer? or is it possible to replace the plastic elbow without turbo off?
Also I hear air bubble/ oil burning sound from a turbo after I shut off a engine. Anybody can tell me what's implication for this sound?

Thanks,

 

just had the same thing happen on my 2008 clubman s

dealer quoted 1500!.......SOB @ 67k. ridiculous

 

Hi jupiterfish,

Do you mind to share the exact parts# (possible price?) quoted in dealer's invoice?
Have you replace it part or not? Is this urgent matter to act right away or can give some time to save money?

Thanks,

 

If you guys have oil leaking around your turbo I would get it fixed ASAP. There are no "CERTAINS" to this, but with an investigation being started on MINI about engine fires resulting in total loss, its suspect that dripping oil lines onto hot turbos could be the case of a few of these cases. Theres another thread on fires, but, in general I know oil on a hot turbo is NOT good. I've been worried about this catastrophic event occuring and hope it never does, but something like a dozen MINIs have burned to the ground, a few of which were when the car was off with noone in it. Not trying to scare anyone but just giving a heads up.

 

Just inspected my MCS and I also have the beginnings of the oil leak on the oil pipe line. The pipe actually slides in and out a bit in the sleeve fitting behind the banjo bolt. I KNOW this isnt the right way but Im staring at my tubes of JB Weld, which is good for 500 degrees F and is impervious to oil, gas and coolant. Im thinking of putting a bead around the leaking joint kind of like caulking the leak ONLY until NHTSA and MINI decide what to do. I dont want my MINI or house going up in flames and this may be a cheap solution until a proper fix is in place...the pipe itself is $60 from MINI but the labor at the dealer is insane....previous posts suggest you CAN NOT replace the pipe easily or cheaply.

who thinks this is a BAD idea?

 

update: just had it fixed at a local german car specialist. my leak appeared bad (after oil changle from dealer and a quote for $1600) surprise, but when i wiped off the oil and drove it a few days , no oil was coming out...so maybe my leak was minor or i wasn't pushing the car hard? or it gets oily during oil changes?

regardless

they did not need to remove the turbo and took 4hrs to do....so my labor price went way down. they did it for $600 out the door.

i have a quote from the dealer with all the parts they were swapping out, but the german autowerks place did not need the new turbo gaskets and related stuff.....
attached is the dealer quote with parts and the labor cut out. (didn't want to scare other mechanics quoting)

locally a mini tuner (detroit tuned) also agreed by experience that you do not need to remove the turbo.

 

This is insane, After reading this thread , I went to the car to check mine and it is lose too!
Moves in & out of the collar that bolts in the top of the turbo . Googled it and it is very common. Why isn't the oil gushing all over the place? Is it under pressure?

5 minutes later:
It is an O Ring that goes.......Shoot..........there must be a fix for that?
http://www.detroittuned.com/detroit-...-oil-line-kit/

 

The connections have wiggle by design. I have a brand new oil pipe in front of me and the joints are "loose".

 

Hi, slide in & out?

 

Shoot! In & out
Bad design

 

Does anyone have an idea of what the oil pressure is in the pipe? High , medium or low answer would work
TIA

 

Detroit Tuned has a better design than stock, it uses a flexible line.

http://www.detroittuned.com/detroit-...-oil-line-kit/

Oil pressure at the turbo is engine oil pressure, 35 t0 60 psi, depending on engine rpm