2007 R56 N12 160k km

Found a new stain under the car today... It's accumulating where the engine meets the transmission (see photos). Is this the rear main seal?? Oil filter housing was done 20k ago. Valve cover appears to be sweating but it's on the passenger side.

Any ideas where this is coming from or how to better determine the source?

Sorry photos aren't great, was dark and snowy

 

Check under the oil filter housing to make sure. If its not the oil filter housing, then its that rear main seal.

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...a-clubman.html





Rear main seal: https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ms-needed.html

 

Oil filter housing is dry. Mechanic also thinks rear main seal, unfortunately, which is beyond my skill level. Was quoted $2200cad .

Any suggestions to buy some time? Not too interested in spending that much on an 18 year old car.

 

Interesting timing with your post. I have the same leak with our R60 Countryman. Based on where the oil collected, I thought it might be a rear main seal. It's too cold in Michigan for me to tackle, so I too it to a German specialist shop. It was the oil filter housing gaskets causing the leak. The technician said it is very rare for the rear main seal to leak. I'm paying about $1600 for the repair...it is labor intensive.

 

Based on your picture, I would suspect rear main seal. To replace, you need to pull the transmission, which is why the cost is relatively high.

How much time do you want? Will you be replacing the car this summer, or in a couple years?

 

I really like this car so the longer I can keep it going the better. Ideally I was hoping to get at least a couple more years out of it but would definitely keep it longer if possible.

 

Manual or Automatic? If its a manual, get a new clutch kit, and change the rear main while the clutch is getting done. If you can live with an oil leak, just check the oil level when filling with gas, and add oil as needed. Just don't forget... Also, don't park where an oil leak will cause stains. A rear main seal leak isn't going to directly cause catastrophic engine failure on its own, but low oil level will.

 

+1 do the clutch if manual, clutch fork and pivot pin upgrade to metal.

 

It's auto, so all that labour just to get to the one seal... I have heard mixed opinions about changing the torque converter seal at the same time. For the time being, I'm just going to continue driving it as is and make sure the oil stays topped up. I'm losing about 1/2 a quart every two weeks.