I love my 09 clubman JCW but I've had about enough with the oil leaks. I replaced the oil line on the turbo and the oil return line with brand new parts and I still have a pretty big oil leak coming from somewhere. Itso leaking from the bottom of the turbo area, I can't tell if it's from the motor side or the turbo side. Is there another place where these damn cars are known to leak in this area? I've about had it with this damn car.

 

When you replaced those items did you clean everything up? Just want to make sure what you're seeing is not residual from previous leaks. For the oil leaks, typically you'll see darker oil residue surrounding the area, but the center is clean, almost washed off by the oil leak. When looking for a leak, follow this clean area up, until you find the source. The source will usually be indicated by clean light colored oil, or sometimes where the leak stops. You can also really clean things up under there and then check it after a few days to see if you can find where it may be originating from. Lots of leaks that start from up higher can make things appear like they're leaking down lower.

 

Hello, thank you for the reply. I cleaned everything under there with carb and choke cleaner, got everything super clean, put it all back together, then watched it steadily drip down my downpipe. Since I have replaced the turbo lines I'm thinking the oil filter base and heat exchanger gaskets are the culprit. I'm going to get those gaskets next and give it a try.

 

I think you're on the right path as it could be the oil filter housing gaskets. Our R56 had a leak down the front of the engine, which was showing on the transmission bell housing. We ended up replacing the heat exchanger and oil filter housing gaskets. Gaskets HERE if needed.

 

Awesome! Thank you so much buddy!

 

When you replaced the line, did you also install 2 new banjo bolts and 4 metal crush ring gaskets.

 

yeah, with those bolts, be sure not to over-torque them, either. They can't take the same amount as regular bolts do!

 

I did. I got the stainless steel line with new bolts. That line doesn't leak whatsoever. Its gotta be the heat exchanger base. That's all there is left that it could be.

 

Those heat ex-changers can cause serious engine troubles in a short amount of time, they can leak oil, coolant or both. I don't have to tell you want happens if only one starts leaking substantially. I would consider these gaskets as a 50,000 mile service item since they typically fail 50,000-80,000 miles. I had coolant pouring out onto the freeway last year (64,000 miles) and I was lucky I could it in time, came to a stop light and saw steam billowing from one of my wheel wells.

 

Ah man, that's no good! I plan on changing it as soon as possible. It's just such a messy and annoying job to do. I really don't want to even mess with it, but I'll save that $80/ hr. Lol

 

I would suggest doing a coolant and oil change afterwards, since when you take off the heat exchanger a ton of coolant will spill out. Try to get most of it out beforehand by disconnecting the coolant line at the bottom of the front bumper. I got a set of hose clamp pliers from Oreilly's and it was so incredibly helpful when doing these repairs.

And if the MINI dealer does it, that labor charge is usually $125/hr!

 

That's what I plan to do. I appreciate the helpful advice