7 replies to this topic

[Ozzy109]

Hi,

This will be my first post on the Mini Forum so forgive me if I've named the topic title wrong and my lack of Mini knowledge as this is about my first Mini.

Basically, on the way back from Mini in the Park last weekend, we stopped at Watford Gap services to find a lot of oil
underneath the engine, exhaust and body dripping onto the road. I had filled up oil 4 times over the weekend and had to
top up again on the way back. This was after having driven from Nottingham, racing on the drag strip and driving back (motorway driving).

We then cleaned the underside of the car and turned it over to see where the leak was coming from and I think it could be coming from fuel pump gasket or the crank case gasket.

It has been leaking on my garage floor now since coming back from Santa Pod and it dripping in multiple places. The dipstick says its on the maximum level after filling it up on the way back from Northampton so this is slightly confusing to me seeing as the leak isn't that much but still a worrying amount.

If anyone knows what I should do in this case as I'm still not sure where the leak is until I get it on a ramp but I don't really want to take it to a garage (don't want to back and let them deal with it cus i need the knowledge). If anyone has any ideas or advice then it will be very much appreciated!

Cheers

[bmcecosse]

You really do need to clean it - and then run the engine and inspect where the oil is coming from. Most common is rocker cover gasket - allowing oil to run down the block ....

[Ozzy109]

The bottom of the block is oily so may be a possibility. Will have a look at running it again and see where its coming from. The main drip is between the block and where the gear linkage is thingy. haha

[mk1leg]

some thing is missing if you've topped up 4 times thats a lot of oil from the rod change seal......

[Ozzy109]

Topping up 4 times did include bombing it up and down the dragstrip and doing motorway runs. Do you mean something is missing from the car?

[MiniLuke]

Ah, that's why they kept cleaning the strip more than usual, it was your car pissing oil everywhere.

[dklawson]

As Roy suggested, start by really cleaning the engine. Clean it top to bottom, front to back, end to end. Wash it MANY times to get all the oil off. Prior to washing though, put plastic bags over the distributor to keep water out of/off of it.

I have one suggestion for you that has always worked remarkably well for me. Buy U.V. dye that can be added to the engine oil. Once the engine is clean, add the dye to the oil at dusk or night and run the engine. With minimal or no surrounding light, use a U.V. light (black light) to watch the engine. When the oil starts coming out you will quickly see the source. There are professional lights you can buy. However, the DIY center or a lighting supply store is likely to have an incandescent black light bulb or a small fluorescent black light for MUCH less money. Demon Tweeks should sell the dye. You can also buy the U.V. dye on eBay. (See item eBay item271030572687)

[Ozzy109]

Thanks dklawson, ill definitely think about getting some dye and u.v. lights to see where the source is. Also will start cleaning it/washing it soon