R53's Dirty Oil Leak!
 

Well I took my R53 in today for an alignment and balance. I also ask if they could perform a one ball mod (They declined because it would change the exhaust set-up blah corporate blah). But while I was under the car on the lift trying to talk them into it I noticed my oil pan is COVERED in oil, I cleaned it over a month ago and it wasn't this bad.

https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.nor...6a90cc35f9.jpg
https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.nor...1c119e4fae.jpg

I can't find the picture where you can see where the oil has started to blow back onto the power steering pump fan, which was just replaced last month. Oil level seems to be about 2 quarts low at the moment, last changed my oil over 2 months ago (<3k miles).

It's such a mess it's hard to tell exactly where the leak is, I'm guessing the oil pan gasket, but also suspecting the crank sensor oring. Anyone know how to narrow it down further... Or just go for it and replace both?

Also I place a piece of white cardboard under the car, usually every night, and there's no signs of a leak. Not a drop of oil. Just FYI.

Thanks for the input guys!

Appears to be coming from the front. Either the oil pan gasket or a very bad leak at the crank pulley sensor. Do you know if either have been changed?

Hey, r53coop, as far as I know neither one has ever been touched. The leak as gotten heavy rather quickly, which kinda makes me wonder if any "modification" I've done has sped up the disintegration, most notably the ProFlex bushing inserts on the bottom rear mount. Those inserts added a ton of NVH.

Keep up with your fluids and change the o-ring first.

Don't have to tell me twice. I check all fluids religiously, before and after long drives, every other day, multiple times a day, etc. Transmission fluid every time I'm under the car.

Now what makes you say change the oring first? Have you changed yours yourself?

O-ring is easier to change than oil pan. You can do it without putting the car into front end service mode and it is cheaper to replace. Of course I have changed mine.

I am thinking the o-ring has more pressure on it than the oil pan. It is located about dead center behind the radiator and about 6" up from the oil pan. I did mine in front service mode as I was also changing the water pump. A dealer would put in front service mode to do but I am thinking you could disconnect the rear bottom motor mount and then use a come along to pull the engine back enough to get access to the crank sensor from the bottom. ModMini has a video on doing a clutch on the AC and he pulls the engine back to get access. The PIA is getting the wire plug off, it has the typical Mini plug where you need to pull the red lock slide in order to get the plug off.