8 replies to this topic

[LilDrunkenSmurf]

Hi all,

 

Fairly new to the world of Classic Mini's. I imported a JDM model this winter, and she's sat since January, and I noticed I've developed a leak. It looks like it's leaking both coolant and oil, but it's been hard to confirm. I keep checking the oil level, but it doesn't seem to go down, whereas the coolant needs to be topped off every few weeks. I finally found some time to crawl under the Mini, and take a look at a few things (as I think the cones need replacing as well), but I couldn't quite confirm where the leak was coming from. Based on my reading, it seems that it's quite common for these cars to leak.

 

I found a small bit of coolant up by where the radiator fan meets the engine, but the bottom of the engine seemed to be covered in old oil. I tried to clean it up a bit, but the leak isn't fast enough to determine where it's coming from. I've included some fairly crappy pictures.

 

This one is looking up at where the coolant seems to be coming from.

 

 

This one is the bottom of the motor. I had to drive through a wet alleyway, so it's a little but of water mixed with oil.

 

 

Any input is appreciated. =)

[cal844]

Id put my mone on the water pump and gear selector!

[RedRuby]

Would tend to agree with Cal, water pump for the water leak, could either be at the gasket face or the water pump near where the fan blade mounts there is a small hole in the casting, if it's leaking from there it is the internal seal, new water pump if it is and even if it's just the gasket when you remove the water pump to renew it is probably wise to renew the pump it's a cheap item ( although don't know how much in Canada. The oil leak could either be the gear selector rod oil seal or the dif oil seals (or both) all of the jobs are relatively easy to do.

[AlexMozza]

+1 on the water pump. Clean off all the old oil, put down some brown paper under the engine and gear selector and check for drips. 
Run the engine up if required as more oil is going to come out when warm :)
Then just match up any droplets to the engine. 

[LilDrunkenSmurf]

Thanks for the quick response. Most of my orders seem to end up with MiniMania.com, but there is one domestic vendor http://www.huntercla...st.asp?car=Mini

 

The problem, is there seems to be tons of variations on parts and models, and it's a confusing minefield sometimes. For example, I'm seeing water pumps with/without bypass, and I'm not 100% sure which ones I would want, or which seals are which.

[AlexMozza]

The bypass one will have a pipe from the head directly down to the pump. These pipes can sometimes break, however water pupms are so cheap you could do the pump, gasket and bypass for under£30!

[LilDrunkenSmurf]

Leak from all the places!

 

 

So the big one up front is the coolant. The other 3 smaller ones are all oil. This was in a span of 4 hours after driving it for 20 minutes (roughly 10km).

 

So I'll likely be ordering the water pump, but what are the 3 oil leaks?

[cal844]

Look to be diff seals and selector

[LilDrunkenSmurf]

Thanks for all your help guys, I'll order the pump and seals and get to it.