8 replies to this topic

[bangermadness08]

Morning all,

Last week surprisingly my mini past it’s MOT first time, only advice was an oil leak. Garage was kind enough to let me have a look underneath and there seems to be a significant oil leak coating the underside of the sump.

It didn’t seem like the oil had a favourable side to leak from, with the leak looking uniform all round.

Could anyone shed any light of ideas to consider where it maybe leaking from or what places I should look at. It’s a 95spi auto box

[madazv8]

They come with that as standard lol.

 

Have you gone under it with a can of de-greaser and cleaned it all up.  Easier to spot the source, or at least the rough area then.

[mab01uk]

Clean up auto box sump, etc and then lay a sheet of clean cardboard on the ground underneath the engine gearbox while parked overnight.....that should help narrow down where it is dripping from.

 

As you have an auto you may also find the 'Automatic Mini Register' n link below useful for reference:-

https://autominiregi....proboards.com/

Edited by mab01uk, 10 July 2023 - 11:32 AM.

[68+86auto]

It could be anywhere. on earlier autos I would say the diff housing but a 95 won't have the same issue. Start from the top of the engine and work your way down.

[FlyingScot]

The way I’ve always approached this is as follows 1) cloths underneath on the ground 2) spray the whole engine /gearbox with brake cleaner 3) start her up and look for the oil! 
 

FS

[nicklouse]

Get some UV Oil leak dye. That’s the only way to be sure.

[bangermadness08]

So following advice it looks like it’s coming from mainly the radiator side

[coopertaz]

probably timing chain cover or cover oil seal

[humph]

Have just done this myself.  Clean as much of the existing leaked oil off as possible from the sump and engine, break cleaner or de-greaser, lay cardboard/clothes underneath. Put some UV dye into the oil.  Run the car up to temp, switch off. Inspect using a UV torch.  If the area is cleaned you may not need the UV dye as the oil will be obvious where it pools, but the UV is handy for areas that it may be running down the engine that might be hard to inspect closely.