I have a 2007 MINI Cooper S hardtop manual transmission. I have recently starting noticing my car was leaking a small amount of oil (a few drops under the car in the driveway). However, this morning when starting the car, I noticed it was leaking quite a bit and was now leaving a small puddle under the car. It appears to only be leaking majorly like this when the car is running. It appears to be leaking from the right side (passenger side) of the car. I was unable to see any leaks along the top or the side of the engine. Any suggestions on what to really focus on first?

 

Ok. So I was able to get a better look at it this afternoon after work and it appears to be leaking on the back of the engine, possibly about half way up the engine close to the belt. It has gotten very cold the past few nights and I fear this may have caused issues for my MINI. Any ideas if that would be a possible cause for this issue or if the leak may be a more common, hopefully less expensive, issue that anyone else has experienced?

 

My car (2011 MCS hatch - manual) developed a leak from the oil pan solenoid or something like that. Can't remember the exact terminology. I just caught it today, and unfortunately, the Morons at my local dealership said they couldn't look at it. The car has been making a weird noise over bumps the last week or so, and today when the car was on a lift at a 3rd party vendor, they told me the leak has been going on for a while. It wasn't leaking profusely, but there was a ton of caked oil, and fresh all the way from up near the timing chain seal, to the undercarriage. I read online that the oil can seep up into your dme and FRY it if you don't get it looked at and fixed ASAP. my car was just in for the clunk noise last week, and they didn't even catch this leak that has clearly been there for more than 5 days. Don't know if your 07 has the same solenoid and wiring harness as my 11 but it's worth looking at. If you shine a light down the backside of the engine near the intake manifold, you should be able to see if it's all covered in oil. I'm taking my car to the dealership again tomorrow to have them look at it, whether they want to or not. I'm not having the DME get ruined and have a 3 or 4 week period of not being able to use my car. Check it out and see if this helps.

 

Check if its leaking out of the timing chain tensioner. Its on the back side of the engine on the passenger side. I think if you remove the airbox you can see it, but I'm not positive about that.

 

I'm having a mechanic look at it. My car has been to the MINI dealer 20-25 times in the last 7 months. I'm not exaggerating. It's been in for various things such as multiple trips to fix buzzing door speaker grills - which still aren't fixed - radio module draining battery - now my speedo rattles and buzzes and the needle is slow to respond when accelerating and decelerating... Warped hood scoop, clunk in suspension, AC compressor failed, and now the oil leak. I'm seriously so frustrated with this car, and the dealership that I'm about to go crazy. I've contacted MINI USA and they are no help. The next closest dealership is two hours away, and I've already wasted so many days of work on trying to get this car fixed correctly. I'm hoping the oil hasn't seeped up into the DME by the time I get it to the shop.

 

This would be my guess too. They sometimes back out and cause oil leaks and worse.

 

I think my car is doing the same thing, but I'm not sure... I just noticed a small amount of oil on the ground after my car has been sitting for a little while. I really noticed a problem when stopped because I can smell the oil burning off. Are you able to smell the oil burning as well? If it is the timing chain tensioner does anyone know the fix?