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Stock Problems/IssuesDiscussions related to warranty related issues and repairs, or other problems with the OEM parts and software for MINI Clubman (R55), Cooper and Cooper S(R56), and Cabrio (R57).
What’s up guys, I had a slow oil leak and went to a mechanic to get it fixed. The mechanic is has a good reputation and has worked on lots of minis so I thought I would trust him. He said it was the oil pan gasket and charged about 500$ to fix the leak. Picked up the car this afternoon and when I got home it’s leaking much worse than before. Do you guys have any idea where this leak is coming from and how I should proceed?
thanks for the help fellas - Blake
Do You guys think it’s possible that the leak is from leftover oil from a sloppy job during the gasket replacement and oil change? When I looked under my car (after it sitting for 2.5 hours while playing 9 holes of golf) there was a decent sized puddle under the car. Gosh this is frustrating. It was only leaking a few drops per day before the repair. I will let it sit overnight and keep y’all posted.
Yes, I have been reading that this is also possible. A shame the mechanic could have been flat out wrong. Not sure if they offer better insight but here are some more pics I just took. I already have drops of oil after being home for a half hour. If I’m correct it looks like it has nothing to do with the rear main seal.
Unfortunately I do not have the experience or skills to do this job myself. I will only use way from way motor works in Atlanta from now on if this mechanic does not work with me regarding this issue.
Unfortunately I do not have the experience or skills to do this job myself. I will only use way from way motor works in Atlanta from now on if this mechanic does not work with me regarding this issue.
I never read anywhere that N18 engine leaks oil. Are you sure it is not coming from the oil filter housing having a bad rubber seal? I always use OEM filters and they come with the seal and copper washer for the drain plug.
I never read anywhere that N18 engine leaks oil. Are you sure it is not coming from the oil filter housing having a bad rubber seal? I always use OEM filters and they come with the seal and copper washer for the drain plug.
Yes I have a good feeling now that the leak is coming from the oil filter housing. Pretty sure leaks on the n18 are much more rare than the infamous n14 but I have read about problems with n18 leaking here and there. I just hope the mechanic works with me because I’m already out over $500 and the problem is 10x worse than before I brought it to the shop -__-
My N18 has 109k miles and granted I've only had it for the last 39k but immediately after buying it at 79k I had the oil pressure control solenoid replaced as it was leaking and during that inspection they found a leaking water pump and front main. Aside from that the only leak I've had since has been my windshield washer reservoir that randomly decides to drop 1/4 of its contents...
The question i keep asking myself is why is the leak so much worse now than before I took it to the mechanic? I mean before I took it to the mechanic there were a few drops of oil per day on the ground, it was only a slowish leak that I honestly could have addressed at a later time as long as I kept an eye on the oil. But, I did the responsible thing and got it addressed quickly. Now I have had small puddles only hours after I got the so called “repair.” I kinda suspect they might have messed up the o-ring during the oil change. Who knows. This is very disappointing. It sucks that my first mini motoring experience has started like this because I truly love the car itself hahaha
Last edited by Blakepadilla55; Jul 5, 2019 at 10:27 PM.
The question i keep asking myself is why is the leak so much worse now than before I took it to the mechanic? I mean before I took it to the mechanic there were a few drops of oil per day on the ground, it was only a slowish leak that I honestly could have addressed at a later time as long as I kept an eye on the oil. But, I did the responsible thing and got it addressed quickly. Now I have had small puddles only hours after I got the so called “repair.” This is very disappointing.
If you just paid to have this general area worked on, take it back to shop. You have a 50/50 chance of it being something they missed (possibly covered under the cost of the previous repair) or something else like your oil filter housing that's leaking that you may end up paying someone to fix anyways.
If you just paid to have this general area worked on, take it back to shop. You have a 50/50 chance of it being something they missed (possibly covered under the cost of the previous repair) or something else like your oil filter housing that's leaking that you may end up paying someone to fix anyways.
I went to the shop saying just saying I had a leak, and wanted to get it checked out, knowing the oil filter housing, pan “gasket,” and rear main are all possibilities. But after looking at the leak before I took it in to the mechanic, I was 99% sure it was not coming from the rear main seal. So, after the shop did their diagnostic test, he comes back and says it looks like you have an oil pan gasket leaking, but although less likely, it also could be the rear main leaking. He recommended I get the oil pan gasket replaced. So, I accepted the work and got it replaced. Like I said, I suspect they might have messed up the o-ring while changing the oil, because the car is leaking significantly now.
I went to the shop saying just saying I had a leak, and wanted to get it checked out, knowing the oil filter housing, pan “gasket,” and rear main are all possibilities. But after looking at the leak before I took it in to the mechanic, I was 99% sure it was not coming from the rear main seal. So, after the shop did their diagnostic test, he comes back and says it looks like you have an oil pan gasket leaking, but although less likely, it also could be the rear main leaking. He recommended I get the oil pan gasket replaced. So, I accepted the work and got it replaced. Like I said, I suspect they might have messed up the o-ring while changing the oil, because the car is leaking significantly now.
This sucks you paid so much for a fix that is not even one .......... again, N18 engine don't leak unless you have a very old and tired high mileage car that has full of mods or been neglected and abused.
Most aftermarket oil filters don't even come with a replacement rubber oil seal, even less the copper O ring which is very important to be replaced at every oil change. This kit is complete only when you buy the OEM BMW/Mini oil filter.
Also, most shops don't know how to do an oil change on a Mini and don't have the proper tools to do the job correctly. Do yourself a favor. Buy the 28mm socket for the oil filter housing and a 10mm for the coolant tank to be moved aside. Stay onsite and even tell them how to proceed if they are puzzled how to access the oil filter. Last, make sure they install all the parts LOL.
Well after the car has sat overnight here is the puddle under the car:
Absolutely ridiculous. Getting the feeling they really missed something or messed up during the gasket/oil change.
Last edited by Blakepadilla55; Jul 6, 2019 at 10:05 AM.
That's almost to the point of being undrivable. Did you already speak with the "mechanic" who originally diagnosed it as the oil pan? I would at least at this point is move your radiator overflow reservoir aside to inspect the plastic oil filter cap for major seepage. It's possible they may have cross threaded it.
That's almost to the point of being undrivable. Did you already speak with the "mechanic" who originally diagnosed it as the oil pan? I would at least at this point is move your radiator overflow reservoir aside to inspect the plastic oil filter cap for major seepage. It's possible they may have cross threaded it.
They are closed until Monday at 8 AM. I gave them a call last night and left a long message. I also called about an hour ago, hoping someone would pick up. No one answered as expected. Thanks for your input. Will try to look at the oil filter cap this afternoon.
Just from looking at the first pic it's clear that isn't an oil pan gasket leak. Any mechanic that thinks that is clearly not experienced with MINIs, let alone diagnosis as oil leaks are not hard to diagnose. A little brake clean and a flashlight is all you need.
Just from looking at the first pic it's clear that isn't an oil pan gasket leak. Any mechanic that thinks that is clearly not experienced with MINIs, let alone diagnosis as oil leaks are not hard to diagnose. A little brake clean and a flashlight is all you need.
I wish I had pics of the leak I had before I took it to the mechanic. It was a slow leak and was coming from a different area. I’m Thinking they possibly messed up the oil filter cap assembly during the oil change. The shop gave me a call back after getting my message, and told me to come in first thing tomorrow. They even offered me towing. Hopefully I can get this situated tomorrow. Either way, I will try to only have you working on my car going forward as you actually know what you are doing from what I’ve heard.
Update: well the shop re-did the oil pan gasket using the compound sealant doesn’t as opposed to the actual gasket. That fixed the major oil loss issue. But it looks like I still have an oil filter housing leak, which means the oil pan was never the culprit in the first place. Now it’s just dropping a few drops a day like it was before Taking it to the shop. And it sometimes drops onto the exhaust causing a burning smell in the cabin at idle ( every once in a while in the mornings). I already bought the filter housing gaskets for one of my independent mechanics in my georgia mini car club to fix it for a great deal. He is 99% sure it’s the oil filter housing gaskets failing, but he will put the car on a Lift to just make sure. I will keep you posted this weekend.
I did mine and it has been good ever since. If you get a light-up there and can peak right under the housing you can sometimes see it. From the bottom up.
I did mine and it has been good ever since. If you get a light-up there and can peak right under the housing you can sometimes see it. From the bottom up.
Thank you man. I would love to do this DIY but I don’t have the tools or the experience to be removing and putting so many things back together on my car. I have a buddy in Gainesville that will do it for me for $350, so I’m just gonna take it to him Saturday and we will take a look underneath. If it’s indeed the oil filter housing leaking I’m just gonna let him get at it as I already have the gaskets for him. He’s done oil filter housing replacements on tons of minis before. I’ll just take a lyft to Chicopee woods for some golf while he’s at it Hahahaha.
Welcome,
That's good, as long as he knows how to do it. You will be fine
Golf day sounds good to burn off the MINI worries.
Most definitely . Would you personally suspect that a leak that is coming down to the bottom of the bell housing and onto the exhaust (causing an oil burning smell at idle occasionally) is the oil filter housing leaking? I’ve heard that it’s the most likely culprit.
