7 replies to this topic

[mini77]

Its not the gearbox or engine gaskets what else could it be please? Also I've heard minis are prone to to oil leaks...is this correct?

[mini-luke]

Oh yes, Mini's are very good at leaking oil. What I do is park it on a sheet of light coloured paper and come back in the morning, the leak will be directly above where the oil is (except whern it's running down something else). Most common place for it to leak from is probably the selector rod seal.

[abe46]

I would be worried if it didn't have a leak! In which case someone might have put a VTEC or Vauxhall lump under the bonnet ;)

But as mini luke mentioned, the selected rod seal is a very common one. The leak seal kit is not very expensive on minispares if you do find that it is leaking from there!

Another place could be through the inner pot joints. Sheet of coloured paper is a great idea mentioned above, give that a go and present your findings!

Oh and it's not an oil leak... It's character

[mini-luke]

It's marking it's territory on the garage floor

[maggies_minder]

i read a properly produced book on minis.

and it states that minis were designed to leak oil to help protect the subframe from rusting.

its actually printed as though its fact.

[oltonlad]

mine doesent leak oil (yet) but give it a chance, the engine's only been in the car for 2 weeks!.....................

[oltonlad]

the main areas of oil leaks on a mini are :- everywhere!

as said above, the most common culprits are gear selector seal, pot joint seals, crankshaft oil seal, rocker cover gasket, head gasket.

[valve bounce]

they dont leak oil they have an automatic front subframe rust proofing system

Edited by valve bounce, 13 May 2012 - 11:04 AM.