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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 Cooper (R50), Cabrio (R52), and Cooper S (R53) MINIs.
Help me track down all my oil leaks! So far I have replaced this year: oil cooler o-rings, sump plug, oil filter housing gasket. Crank position sensor o-ring replaced last year. Clutch with rear main seal replaced in 2020.
The mess around the power steering pump, would that definitely be the hoses and power steering fluid? Or would something else be causing that? There is a leak between the inside and outer right side axle, no idea what could be causing that. Lastly, do my inner/outer output shaft seals look like they need to be replaced too?
Everything from the top looks dry including the valve cover, the front timing cover etc also looks dry too. It's only wet below the sump (except the driver side axle)
What I have done with other cars with oil leaks is to use a brake cleaner in an aerosol can -- you'll need several cans -- and thoroughly spray down the engine/drive train to remove all traces of oil. (I spread out old newspapers to catch the run off.)
With the engine clean and all fluid levels good -- not overfilled but topped up -- I drive the car. Given the oil leaks I was interested in were no severe I just used the car normally for a few days then would check for leaks. Much easier to locate a leak source before the oil has run all down the engine.
It's hard to say what is is from your pictures only, and you've replaced quite a lot of things already.
As RockC said, cleaning the car properly should make it easier to view where it's coming from.
The liquid shown at bottom of the oil pan liquid definitely looks like oil, though the color is a bit weird to me, like if there was a bit of coolant mixed in (that might just be an impression due to the picture). In any case, you didn't list oil pan gasket: could it be that? Also is it coming from the front or the back of the engine?
For the mess around the PS pump, I can't tell, but if you can, try to get a sample on a clear surface: PS fluid is green (hopefully your coolant isn't green as well, otherwise they look similar).
For the 5th picture showing an axle: is there fluid above that axle? If not, the leak probably comes from the gearbox. I recommend checking your gearbox oil level in any case. An underfilled gearbox would point toward a transmission fluid leak.
What I have done with other cars with oil leaks is to use a brake cleaner in an aerosol can -- you'll need several cans -- and thoroughly spray down the engine/drive train to remove all traces of oil. (I spread out old newspapers to catch the run off.)
With the engine clean and all fluid levels good -- not overfilled but topped up -- I drive the car. Given the oil leaks I was interested in were no severe I just used the car normally for a few days then would check for leaks. Much easier to locate a leak source before the oil has run all down the engine.
Yes good idea, I've just done as you suggested, my leaks are definitely not severe. I'll report back once I have driven it for a bit.
Originally Posted by Fradow
It's hard to say what is is from your pictures only, and you've replaced quite a lot of things already.
As RockC said, cleaning the car properly should make it easier to view where it's coming from.
The liquid shown at bottom of the oil pan liquid definitely looks like oil, though the color is a bit weird to me, like if there was a bit of coolant mixed in (that might just be an impression due to the picture). In any case, you didn't list oil pan gasket: could it be that? Also is it coming from the front or the back of the engine?
For the mess around the PS pump, I can't tell, but if you can, try to get a sample on a clear surface: PS fluid is green (hopefully your coolant isn't green as well, otherwise they look similar).
For the 5th picture showing an axle: is there fluid above that axle? If not, the leak probably comes from the gearbox. I recommend checking your gearbox oil level in any case. An underfilled gearbox would point toward a transmission fluid leak.
Yeh could be oil pan gasket, not clearly leaking from where it meets the block - but have cleaned everything off now so will see. The leak where the gearbox meets the sump is my main concern, hoping its not rear main. On another inspection it definitely is the power steering making that mess, so those hoses are probably the first things I will replace. Wondering if I just need to replace the top 2 or the pressure hose as well.
Found another leak but no idea how it could have got there - the plastic supercharger inlet horn. Is it blow by leaking or is there something else to check?
Power steering fluid was leaking from the hose banjo fittings/bolts on the pump on my car. I replaced the bushings and tightened down. Initially I thought I needed new hoses but traced the leak to the fittings.
...On another inspection it definitely is the power steering making that mess, so those hoses are probably the first things I will replace. Wondering if I just need to replace the top 2 or the pressure hose as well.
+1
Good catch.
That mess all over the PSP was the first thing I caught in your image(s). Having had the *wonderful experience* replacing both hoses is burned in my memory for good.
A messy job indeed but it's been several years of leak free driving on those inexpensive "ebay specials" I installed.
BTW: even a small leak in your valve cover may eventually make it's way down the engine block.
My timing cover also seems to now, be weeping a little oil.
I've cleaned up the engine and given it about a week, it's mostly dry but found some oil in some unexpected locations. One is on the oil cooler and oil filter housing, see first 2 pics. I had replaced both the oil cooler seals + the oil filter housing gasket so am at a loss to why they would be still leaking again. FWIW I didn't use genuine seals, Mahle and URO. Also I guesstimated the torque due to not having a low enough torque wrench for the oil cooler to oil filter housing.
The last pic shows a leak from the hole between the transmission and sump - would this be rear main?
in addition to cleaning and observing, you can add some dye to your fluids. then use a black light to find it. i would suggest doing just one fluid at a time, though.
