All,

I've got a 2009 Clubman S and all of a sudden I've got a serious leak.

I replaced the oil supply line for the turbo <Detroittuned kit> so that's good. I've noticed a small leak recently and figured it's likely the oil filter housing gasket, the oil cooler gasket or the return line for the turbo.

However, just this past weekend all of a sudden I can smell burning oil and at stops, can see smoke coming out of the hood scoop from the burnoff.

On the way home from work today I could see smoke out the back window and seeing it outside the passenger window at stops lights.

​​​​Got under it tonight to try and find the leak and it's wet everywhere. Cleaned what I can and see it's mainly wet near the filter housing/cooler area.

Started it up and got back down there and it is literally peeing oil straight onto the exhaust. It had two streams of oil going down both sides of the downpipe where it meets the rest of the exhaust.

Anyone have a leak like this? Any takers on which gasket? Indy shop quoted $220 for the oil cooler gasket but $900 if it's the oil filter housing. Yikes!

I've had the DP out before and I'm fairly mechanically inclined but having the time is an issue.

 

It really doesn't matter because on an "S" you should be replacing both gaskets at the same time. From your description it seems that one or both are leaking.

 

Yeah. Any idea why the big jump in price? If you're already down to getting at the oil cooler, you're right at the filter housing. Oil and coolant should be drained either way.

 

Please let us know what you find out. I'm having the exact same problem...slow drip for several weeks...peeing oil this morning. Suspected the oil filter &*@$$$ plastic oil filter box, but on closer exam..I don't think that's the source. I'll start peeling stuff off this evening.

 

I haven't got the car back yet, but I haven't been told what the main source of the leak was (meaning which part was leaking the most) but they said it needed the filter housing gasket, the oil cooler gasket and the return line to the turbo. Supply line was fine as it's a braided replacement from DT.

I'll try to get some more details when I pick it up on Thursday. If I had to wager a guess, sudden peeing seems like a gasket blowout. The way these gaskets are designed (being rubber), in my mind I would think it's that. In my case, I'm betting it's the turbo drain line.

Only silver lining is that since it's out, we got a Milltek catless DP from a local source so at least I get a small upgrade.

 

Update:

Got the car back. They said the majority of the leak was from the turbo return line but replaced it and the other two gaskets as well so for now all is well leak wise.

There's stumbling in the car, which the shop also noticed but it's weird, it only happens at cold start up. Once it starts up and idles it's totally fine and drives normal.

Is this a coil pack issue? Seems like if one was causing that it would cause it all of the time no?

 

it could be the HPFP....you might be covered by dealer for free...give them a call

sometimes leaks happen at the oil filter cap if not tightened properly.

 

Do they normally go out a second time? Mine was replaced before I ever bought the car.

 

it could...i dont think they changed anything in the "new/replacement" pump.

it is hard to pinpoint the issue without live data and measure the fuel pressure.

 

Ah. I can check.

Does that HPFP only exhibit issues are cold start?

 

in its early stages of failure, yes.

how many miles does it have?

sometimes it will store a code but not trigger the CEL. get it checked for codes.

 

Car has 90k miles on it. I bought it with 48k and the HPFP was done prior to my owning it. Timing chain too.

The indy shop ran the codes and reported this:




With this report in the diagnostic, they recommended checking plugs and possibly coil packs.

 

that's a good start...if the plugs were not changed since you owned it, maybe it's time for a new set...clear codes and run it for a while then check for symptoms and codes again.

 

Sorry, meant to say I changed the plugs maybe a year ago. NGKs 1 heat range cooler than stock I think. No problems after that change, until now.

 

what is the fuel pressure reading now?

 

I don't have a scan tool, so I'm not sure that I can tell.

I will say that what's described in this video, is exactly what's happening to mine. (Symptoms wise)

 

I guess this is the answer to the question...but when you get to the shop ask them for a reading or call the dealer and explain the issue hinting to the HPFP. it is free replacement.

 

I'll call them. Will they give me **** for an aftermarket DP? It was happening before that was installed.

 

if you still have the original, put it back. otherwise, it might be iffy...not sure what they would do and might even tell you that was the cause!!!

 

Eww. What a PITA. I just had it put on.

 

Not really..lol...All you need is small hands and a swivel joint. 10 x 10mm and 2 x 13mm and 3 x 13mm and 1 x 16mm and your done :-)

 

True.

But they shouldn't give me crap really since this is a factory issued TSB whatever, not a dealership item. We'll see I guess.

 

Has your Mini ever had the intake valves cleaned(walnut blasting)?

 

No. Seafoamed it a couple of times for whatever that's worth but to my knowledge it's never had a valve clean.

 

If you are at 90K, you are probably due. If you are handy you can remove the intake manifold, use a flashlight and a mirror and take a peak into the ports on the cylinder head. From what I've learned from these Mini's a misfire on any cylinder doesn't always mean no spark or weak spark. Plugs and coilpacks are easy to replace and or swap. But a misfire can also be related to fuel pressure(failing HPFP) or intake valves that need cleaned.
Get a fuel pressure test/reading as "MiniToBe" suggested.