Hate to make my first post a bad one...

I have a 2003 MC with 28K on the odo. The dealer changed the oil at 20K, but the computer is showing next service due at ~40K. Since I'd never drive a car 20K miles between oil changes, I decided to do it myself. I've changed my own oil on every car I've owned.

Everything was fine for two weeks and 1K miles. Then this morning, after 20 miles, my oil light came on. Popped the bonnet to find 4.7 US Quarts of very clean Mobil1 under the engine. Can't be sure if it's the filter housing or not from all the oil in the way. Called the wife, and NO OIL ON THE GARAGE FLOOR!! It all happened in 20 miles!

I was very careful with the O-ring and torqed it appropriately. It was very tight when I took it off and had to use a breaker bar. The question is, will Mini check it, repair if necessary, and clean it under warranty? I am hesitant to call. I'm not worried about engine damage as the light was only on for < 1 minute before I shut it down and there was a little oil left.

Thanks for the advice in advance.

UPDATE

I decided to let the dealer handle it. They had provided good service previously. They said it was the o-ring, gave it an oil change, refused to clean it, and charged me $95 for the pleasure.

Here's my issue... Has anyone else had this type of sudden oil loss due to an o-ring? I would have expected a drip or puddle first. Not 5 qts gone in <20 miles.

 

Jeff,
It depends on the techs at your dealer, are they jerks? You might want to try and find where the oil came from 1st, and determine if its obviously something you did, or not. I get the impression that you don't care for your dealers service.
--Dan

 

Most likely the Oil filter housing O-ring got cut when installing.
Very common problem. I always lubricate the o-ring generously with
a silicon paste. Even then, no matter how carefully the filter housing cap
and o-ring are installed. I always run the car until the oil light turns off and
then recheck the oil filter cap to make sure that it is not leaking. I have
changed the oil on a mini about a couple thousand times and yesterday I
had a o-ring tear.

 

Hey welcome to MINI ownership! Ah i'm just kiddin...I'm sure it's just the o-ring... although I'm sure you're not put in the best situation at the moment, I feel it's ultimately nothing serious to worry about. and seriously, welcome to the NAM

 

The oil filter should only be installed from underneather while looking at it while you intall it. Or if you must do it from the top,put a mirror so you can watch the o-ring go into the housing. The number of people that rip these in crazy. If you watch it,you can catch it before it rips and push it in. It is very tricky at first to install. If they remove it and see an aftermarket filter, they may charge you for it. It has happened to me before

 

I would suggest anti-seize compound. If you're using a synthetic oil, might not be a problem. If you use "regular" oil, it will eat that silicone.