13 replies to this topic

[lewisdw]

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Please give your topic a title that quickly describes your problem. Just putting 'Help my Mini doesn't work' is useless to anyone trying to help.
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Model: austin mini
Year: 1989
Description of problem (please be as in depth as possible): Oil leak

I know minis leak oil, but mine has been leaking a quart or so every 3 weeks. I finally jacked it up and cleaned it underneath and let it idle for about 10 minutes. Here are pictures of the result. It's leaking from two spots that I can find find, both on the drivers side (german spec mini, left-hand drive). Hopefully you can make it out in the pictures.











What are these two areas, and what is needed to fix the leaks?

[bmcecosse]

Is it just running down from above ? Could be simple rocker cover gasket...... But may also be the timing cover seal - or more seriously the rubber seal between engine and gearbox. If it's not the rocker cover - radiator out to investigate further.

[lewisdw]

Is it just running down from above ? Could be simple rocker cover gasket...... But may also be the timing cover seal - or more seriously the rubber seal between engine and gearbox. If it's not the rocker cover - radiator out to investigate further.

It doesn't seem to be coming from further up. It seems to be leaking from around the seal and bolt heads on the cover of the housing just behind the pot joint (the housing that the pot joint goes into). would this be an indicator of the oil seal behind the pot joint is leaking?

And also leaking from around the cover that is just forward of the pot joint (not sure what that is). Is that the bottom of the timing chain cover?

Edited by lewisdw, 01 February 2011 - 08:23 AM.

[Guess-Works.com]

it's not a drive shaft seal leak as it would be dripping from the pot itself...

This looks like an issue with the fitment of the diff end covers and speedo cover.... seems to be leaking from the gasket... if it's not coming from further up the engine which would be my first thought...

The leak off the speedo cover could be the 1/2 moon seal or the timing chain cover, the one off the diff cover is more intriguing

[mikey72]

There have been a couple of posters on here who had the bolts holding the housing on stripped, and even missing, and the oil was leaking from the back of the housing, so it's not impossible.

[lewisdw]

it's not a drive shaft seal leak as it would be dripping from the pot itself...

This looks like an issue with the fitment of the diff end covers and speedo cover.... seems to be leaking from the gasket... if it's not coming from further up the engine which would be my first thought...

The leak off the speedo cover could be the 1/2 moon seal or the timing chain cover, the one off the diff cover is more intriguing

Can you post of picture of the speedo cover so I know the area you're talking about? Can the diff cover and timing chain cover be removed and the seals replaced with the engine in the car (I know I'll have to remove the radiator)?

[bobbym18]

My rocker cover gasket was leaking oil but i couldnt even see that it was. My mini used to leak a lot but i replaced the gasket and its been fine since (touch wood).

[lewisdw]

Thanks for all of the input and suggestions. Any of you near Ramstein, Germany, and willing to take a look?

Here's a list of seals/gaskets I'm thinking of purchasing and planning to replace as many as I can, short of pulling the engine and seperating the gear box (I've never done this on a mini, so a little hesitant to try). These are all part #s from minispares. If someone wouldn't mind glancing at this to make sure I'm getting the right ones for my engine (think I have the 948):

ADU5738 - diff output shaft oil seal
GUG708014TS - gearbox gasket set
2A3538 - diff side cover bushing
GUG705567GM - diff side plate gasket
LUF10006 - timing cover oil seal
AJM202MS - block gasket set
GUG705009VC - rocker cover gasket
12A1358 - rocker cover grommet
and rtv/hylomar

[1995 MK2 IOM]

"note to self... use a drip tray next time!" lol

[lewisdw]

"note to self... use a drip tray next time!" lol

Haha, that's what my cardboard is for! But I'm losing so much oil I have to get this fixed. Those spots you see in my pictures are on a fresh piece of cardboard after idling the engine for 5 minutes!

[1995 MK2 IOM]

"note to self... use a drip tray next time!" lol

Haha, that's what my cardboard is for! But I'm losing so much oil I have to get this fixed. Those spots you see in my pictures are on a fresh piece of cardboard after idling the engine for 5 minutes!

that's cardboard? I thought it was paving blocks! my bad!

J

[lewisdw]

"note to self... use a drip tray next time!" lol

Haha, that's what my cardboard is for! But I'm losing so much oil I have to get this fixed. Those spots you see in my pictures are on a fresh piece of cardboard after idling the engine for 5 minutes!

that's cardboard? I thought it was paving blocks! my bad!

J

No problem! I didn't catch what you were saying originally! I do have some drips from the mini and from my '72 beetle on the driveway I need to fix, however!

[lewisdw]

Thanks for all of the input and suggestions. Any of you near Ramstein, Germany, and willing to take a look?

Here's a list of seals/gaskets I'm thinking of purchasing and planning to replace as many as I can, short of pulling the engine and seperating the gear box (I've never done this on a mini, so a little hesitant to try). These are all part #s from minispares. If someone wouldn't mind glancing at this to make sure I'm getting the right ones for my engine (think I have the 948):

ADU5738 - diff output shaft oil seal
GUG708014TS - gearbox gasket set
2A3538 - diff side cover bushing
GUG705567GM - diff side plate gasket
LUF10006 - timing cover oil seal
AJM202MS - block gasket set
GUG705009VC - rocker cover gasket
12A1358 - rocker cover grommet
and rtv/hylomar

Anyone have any thoughts on this? I'm hoping this will take care of the massive leak (I'm sure I'll probably still have a drip from something). Is all of this doable without removing the engine/gearbox?

[Sam_The_Man]

i think i have this problem too!

took my clubby in to get tyres replaced, and asked them to have a look at the leak from somewhere on the engine...the chap said it could well be the timing cover oil seal but at the time didnt really know what he meant. he said there was oil everywhere so would be best to clean it all off and then have a bit of a better look.

but just had a look in my haynes manual and then did a search on here too. but i need to know where im looking so i can at least help the chaps out and have a bit of an investigate myself.

thanks in advance