Here's what has happened. I'd like to know what others think.

The dealer installed the works kit in April when the car first came in. I noticed an oil leak and took it back. They said that it happens occasionally that the valve cover gasket is damaged when the works kit is installed. They had to order the gasket so I had to come back a week later and they installed the new gasket. It still leaked so I took it back again and this time they apologized and said that it was the oil pan gasket all along. They gave me a loaner for a few days and replaced the oil pan gasket. That was a few weeks ago and I thought at first that the problem was solved as the oil spots weren't so obvious (my garage had a lot of oil on it already so I couldn't tell for sure). Well we just got back from a week up North and after driving four hours home I parked in the drive and the oil spot that appeared was the size of a dinner plate and formed in just a couple of hours. My inspection of the underside of the car was cursory as I don't have a lift or a floor jack but oil is all over the bottom of the engine. The oil level is still good. What could be wrong? Should I get it inspected by somebody else before I take it back for the fourth time?

 

Take it back, it's under warrantee.

 

And, consider placing an empty pizza box under the car when you park it. It lets you show them a fresh stain and may give some clue as to where the leak is coming from (at least which end of the engine, etc).

 

Sorry to hear about your leak. My MCS had a oil leak from the valve cover gasket after about 15000 miles or so, on the left side of the cover, no JCW btw. Since it got replaced, it's been dry. Does not make sense to me that it could be the pan, they don't change that at all. I would try and find the leak myself and tell them what to do.

I'd be suspicious of the Oil Filter Canister, I've read about the Dealer stripping some of the threads on the can itself when they put it back on the car. good luck

 

Jack the car up and see where the oil leak is coming from? If you're getting a dinner-plate volume leak, you should at least be able to see where it's wet or leaking.

Let the car cool down for an hour, then jack it up and take a look. The bottom end should be cool enough.

 

try to wipe the lower sections at least and go out for a 20 min drive and bring it back in your garage.
jack the car up and inspect. if you don't see anything lower it and come back in 15 min and look again. check every 15 min. use a good light (flourescent drop or something brighter than the family flashlight.)
if you let it sit overnight often the oil on the engine moves to the lowest point and gives you a false reading as to source. (my guess as to why they did the oil pan gasket.)
high speed driving tends to make the source appear further back than it really is even when you've stopped.
but a few ounces of oil in one stop should be very easy to find!!
otherwise bring it to the dealer again and let them wrestle with it.

the pizza box idea is great. i've use my wife's cookie sheets before -- don't do that unless you want to make your wife irate

 

If they really did replace the valve cover and pan gasket the only other one is the head gasket? It's possible they screwed that one up.


Learn a few German curse words in case they tell you it's normal because all British cars leak oil.

 

If the head gasket was leaking, he would also have coolant in his oil, and he'd be overheating. Something he'd probably notice fairly quickly. If he's determined to fix it himself, he has to jack up the car after a drive and figure out where the heck the oil is coming from.