My 2006 S started leaking motor oil. Inspection suggests oil leaks from a specific 10mm bolt on engine's bottom. There is blue factory paint dot adjacent to it. What is this bolt for (photo)?

The housing appears scraped (photo). Is it cracked, too (photo)? I see raised aluminum flecks, lines, and, possibly, poor milling that make me think it is a poor casting. Some lines look more like cracks. What does your engine housing or casing look like?

Am concerned. Only have my own Mini to look at for comparison.

 

Should just be oil pan gasket .... And no it doesn't look cracked all r53 oil pans are like that

 

its most likely a silver lined paint to help with pitting and corrosion. haven't seen leaking from a bolt, usually the gasket fails =)

 

My money says your rear main seal is toast. Oil is leaking into the bell housing and finding that place to exit (it's the lowest point and there's no gasket between the engine and bell housing).

Be aware that if left, it can kill your clutch.

If you're replacing the clutch, you should also change the rear main seal.

 

+1

 

I crawled under the car this morning to find out about a small leak ( few drops) noticed on the floor, took some pictures. The leak in my car is not same as yours though. but one picture shows the housing. hope this helps. sorry for the picture quality.

I heard too much motor oil can cause the rear main to leak as well
how many miles on your car ?

 

socalr53

I can't get my mind wrapped around your images. Try uploading larger ones and orient them or mark them with reference points - front - PS fan etc (is it an auto transmission?)


OP - I forgot to mention that your casing looks like mine. Don't worry about that - just the leak.

 

The responses to my questions demonstrates why North American Motoring is the best website for automobile stuff. Thanks to all of you providing assistance.

Answer to mileage question: Approximately 82,000 miles; predominantly highway miles

Answer to transmission question: it is a manual transmission

Suggestions that engine's rear main seal may be leaking: good idea, will look into this. Agree, change main seal when changing clutch (not doing clutch replacement at moment, but maybe it's not far away due to this leak)

Corroborations that oil pans look like this: this is a big relief. Was a little freaked out

 

Just to make y'all feel better here's an old photo of mine (also showing the 'texture' of the oil pan and leak. Showing that I know what you're going through.


This what a rear main seal failure (and other leaks) can look like

 

This leak could also be from the input shaft seal on the transmission. You might want to check the transmission oil level for peace of mind. Running it low on oil will kill it.

 

jamez, thank you for sharing the large annotated photo. It is helpful.

ashchuckton, thank you for a good idea to check the transmission fluid level.