Yes, lots of up and down, a lift would make your life worlds easier.

The job isn't tough, but there are some tight spaces that having smaller hands and the right tool with make all the difference. Proper torque on fasteners is your friend during this job as well, I can't tell you how many times we've had someone call back for replacement banjo bolts because they just went Lou Ferrigno on them.

Try as best you can to keep the surfaces clean on install, but it is almost impossible to keep the seals completely clean, as the oil/coolant mixture leak never seems to end.

There will be some burning smells for the next few days proceeding the job, it will subside after a few long freeway drives.

It may have been previously stated, but I would highly recommend our TOL Super Kit that includes everything you will need to complete the job, short of oil, oil filter, and coolant.

 

What a job to get it done. Having a lift and all the tools helped a lot, but it was a very tight fit to get to all those heatshield bolts. I was very happy with the Detroit tuned kit and would recommend it to everyone. That OEM line was a piece of crap design and should never have been installed on this car.
The problems I have seen on a car that had less than 30-50K miles is rediculous. BMW should be ashamed of the amount of problems Mini owners have faced. I'm glad I was able to do the work myself or I would have traded it in long ago.

 

Thanks for the good word, glad everything is as it should be again, let us know if there is anything we can help you out with in the future.

Nick

 

I haven't started the job yet but I got the DT deluxe kit. Will it be very noticeable if the leak is from the turbo line or from the oil filter housing. I couldn't tell from up top and I haven't got the car up on the lift yet. Just wana make sure I am not wasting my time once I start. I will pick up the gasket for the filter housing from the stealership and have them both If I have to.

 

Do yourself a favor and replace it all while you're in there. It's the same amount of work to do either job and I wouldn't recommend omitting either component only to find out it leaks a month later.

We sell it as a kit so you do it once and all is well in your world again.

 

Generally, the leak point on the turbo oil line is at the turbo end, not the end that attaches to the block. If you have oil residue on the block, it is likely the oil filter housing.

Make sure that you have oil, oil filter, antifreeze, and distilled water. There is coolant that runs through the oil filter housing. Even if you drain the radiator, you will still leak coolant when the oil filter housing is removed. Therefore, it is possible to get some coolant into the engine oil, which is a bad thing. Plan on changing the oil after the job.

Do you agree, Nick?

Mike

 

My turbo oil line just started leaking. The "good" news is that it was caught before I got stranded. The Bad news is that my wallet is a lot "lighter."

 

"Generally, the leak point on the turbo oil line is at the turbo end, not the end that attaches to the block. "

Most of the time. I have seen a couple leak at the block. Its not the neck , but at the washer connection. Most of the time when its the block side its the gasket for the oil filter housing to block connection. When you are down there its a good idea to check all gaskets / washer in that location. Like a hit list, once you are in there you can get all of them done at once.

Good luck.

 

I just had this done to my 07 MCS 45k miles, had both lines replaced but was only leaking at the turbo. I also used the Detroit Tuned Turbo oil line super kit, and I have to give them props, Chad called me and saved me some $ on shipping, not to mention the quality of the kit. It makes it nice to take all the guess work out of a problem like this. All said and done, $183 in parts, $350 in labor = $533 not going to the stealership!

Thanks to everyone in this thread for all the great info!

 

Moot point as the kit I ordered and received was the super kit that has the filter housing. Guess that answers that. Will do it all while I am down there.

 

Glad we could be of assistance, let us know if there is anything else we can do for you in the future.

Nick
Detroit Tuned

We have had multiple customers who neglected to do the filter housing gasket only to finish the job and see that the car still has an oil leak, hence the inception of the Super Kit.

 

Anyone know how to put a Jcw front bumper in service mode? There is no bumper covers to remove to reach the radiator support bracket bolts.

 

Is this how the copper nuts should go?

 

No, they retain the lower brackets for the downpipe, those nuts go on after the downpipe and brackets are in place.

Late in seeing your post about going into service mode. You don't need to enter service mode to do the repairs, everything is accessible from the top/bottom.

 

Ok so just those regular nuts got here or nothing at this time?

 

Anyone? Bueller?

 

Nothing until you put the brackets on. The heat shield sandwiches between them. You will kind fo need to put them and the down pipe on all at the same time. All loosely till all in the right place them you can tighten things up.

Chad
Detroit Tuned

 

I was half asleep, pissed and tired when I got to that point taking it apart. I should have paid better attention. So the inner shield just gets the center bracket bolt and two 10mm top bolts? Cool I will work on it tonight and hopefully finish it up.

 

Has anyone seen anything about using something like JB Weld around the tube and banjo?

 

Its gets really hot there , some rated for "temperature resistant up to 500F" but the turbo area can get hotter then that in the area. Don't think that's a good idea. I just replaced the lines with our kits and its been fine since. Also it comes with the updated line heat shield.

 

I agree with Mr. ECS. The temp of the oil circulating through the turbo oil line is approximately the same as the coolant temperature, but the banjo gets heat soaked by the turbo when the engine is shut off.....That's why the little bitty O-ring in there turns to dust. I replaced mine with the ECS kit about 2 years ago.
Unsolicited anecdote: My leaking turbo line was discovered by the dealer during an oil service (Extended Maintenance Program). I told them I would repair it myself. They told me that I wouldn't be able to perform the repair and would end up having the car towed back to them. Ha ha ha ha ha.

 

Mini dealers love to make stuff up about either DIY or having someone else do it. MINI was sued at one time because they stated if the work wasn't service by them it would void the warranty, they ended up paying for that lie.

 

Ok! My Turn....First and Last Mini For me...what a POS....
I just took the DP off and here I go again...Bottom Heat shield PITA...

 

New oil line in..no leaks...was not bad of a job but should never go bad in my opinion

 

Not sure if my issue is the oil feed line or not, wanted to see if someone might be able to confirm or point in another direction...noticed a couple drops of oil on the garage floor today for the first time, and started poking around from up top, I will put it on stands when I get home from work...i took a couple pictures...any confirmation would help...TIA.