Work to be done

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Jan 29, 2019 | 04:18 AM

Stella11

Thread Starter

2nd Gear

Joined: Jan 2019

Posts: 67

Likes: 2

From: Near Watkins Glen International

Work to be done

I have a 2003 R53 that we just bought for our son. It is a single owner with 72,000 miles. He does not have his license yet so for right now it is sitting in our garage, here is my question, while it has been parked there is oil leaking from the front of the motor. I don't think it is the CPS o-ring because that is above the oil line. What else could be?

Thanks in advance to all!

Jan 29, 2019 | 07:30 AM

cooper48

6th Gear

Joined: Jul 2018

Posts: 2,359

Likes: 752

From: DFW, TX

Oil leaks on older MINIs are part of the ownership conundrum. The CPS o-ring will spew oil just about everywhere on the front of the block which makes it difficult to narrow down the actual source. If the leak is lower, then the oil pan/plug would be a natural spot to look. Another would be the front engine seal (behind the crankshaft pulley). Repair on all of these is not difficult if you're patient and handy with tools.

Jan 29, 2019 | 09:03 AM

Zsm

4th Gear

Joined: Mar 2016

Posts: 470

Likes: 100

From: SF Bay Area - Nor Cal

Congrats to you and your son on the new to you R53. Great car to learn to drive and work on as a first car. It's what we did nearly 3 years ago. As cooper48 wrote, oil leaks are a part of the ownership experience. If you have some records of previous services, that may help get you started in determining where to begin your oil squelching quest. Are you (and your son) planning to tackle this on your own or are you planning to have someone service it?

If you haven't already done so, put a piece of cardboard down under the motor to see where the oil is concentrated in. Then, lift up front of car and clean up the bottom of the motor and then watch to see where the oil is leaking from. A 16 year old car is gonna need some TLC no matter who maintained it previously. My guess would be the oil pan gasket. Not hard, but you do have to drop the A/C compressor and separate the lower motor mount.

Lots of threads here on oil leaks so have a look around and let us know what you discover and find.

Last edited by Zsm; Jan 29, 2019 at 09:14 AM.

Jan 29, 2019 | 09:05 AM

Stella11

Thread Starter

2nd Gear

Joined: Jan 2019

Posts: 67

Likes: 2

From: Near Watkins Glen International

Quote:

Originally Posted by cooper48

Those were the three I was thinking. We are planning on doing all three when it's not -20° out there!
Thanks

Jan 29, 2019 | 09:08 AM

Stella11

Thread Starter

2nd Gear

Joined: Jan 2019

Posts: 67

Likes: 2

From: Near Watkins Glen International

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zsm

Congrats to you and your son on the new to you R53. Great car to learn to drive and work on as a first car. It's what we did nearly 3 years ago. As cooper48 wrote, oil leaks are a part of the ownership experience. If you have some records of previous services, that may help get you started in determining where to begin your oil squelching quest. Are you (and your son) planning to tackle this on your own or are you planning to have someone service it?

If you haven't already done so, put a piece of cardboard down under the motor to see where the oil is concentrated in. Then, lift up front of car and clean up the bottom of the motor and then watch to see where the oil is leaking from. A 16 year old car is gonna have some needed TLC no matter who maintained it previously. My guess would be the oil pan gasket. Not hard, but you do have to drop the A/C compressor and separate the lower motor mount.

Lots of threads here on oil leaks so have a look around and let us know what you discover and find.

We bought it so him and I can work on it together. I am somewhat handy and he is very mechanical so I think between the two of us and with YouTube help we should be able to tackle it.