19 replies to this topic

[Lil G]

Hi guys, fairly new to the mini scene and the forum, so apologies if this is in the wrong place!

 

I have owned my 1995 SPi for around 2 months now, and have been noticing small amounts of oil on the ground whenever it has been parked. At first I put this down to "Minis leak when they came out of the factory!" but after the spots of oil got larger I decided it needed to be checked out, and took it to a garage that my family have been using for a while, and who we trust fully.

 

I have just had a quote from said garage of £600-£700, due to the amount of labor needed to reach the 3 separate leaks. The garage have been very open and honest, and have suggested I should possibly give Wynn's oil leak treatment a go, as with a mini the £600-£700 may not fix the leak permanently, and even if it does, there will always be another one!

 

So, to cut a long story short, what would people suggest I do; pay up for the work, or give the ol' Wynn's a go?

 

Thanks in advance.

[Alex_B]

Where are the leaks coming from? 

At a guess I would be guessing the gear selector seal, the timing cover gasket. But using any oil treatment to stop leaks is a bad idea! The way they work I think is to swell the rubber seals and gaskets to remove the gap and seal them up, but at best they are a bodge and really not suitable for the mini since the gearbox shares the engine oil and you will likely cause more damage than solve any leaks. 

Can you not do this yourself as its not a particularly hard job just labour intensive? 

[KernowCooper]

Gear Change, Diff Seals, we need to  know where they said it was to give a opinion on the costs

[racingbob]

I had a leak from the drivers outer dif housing flange

 

I put some extralube ZX1 in the oil (not for the oil leak)

 

for more engine protection and my leak has stopped

 

it has good reviews, you may want to try that

 

also make sure you have 20 50 oil in there

 

I use Valvoline VR1 20 50 its been the best I have found

 

but be good to know where there coming from

[Steve220]

As stated, we'd need to know where the leaks are coming from. I had leaks from both the selector and driver's side gearbox seal. £8 of parts and an afternoon = no more leaks!

[brivinci]

I know everyone jokes about our cars "marking their territory" typically but I can tell you that my car has zero leaks. It is totally possible and there is really no magic to it. I use only gen (the $$$) seals and gaskets. In 3 rebuilds (not the gaskets fault. haha) I have had not a single leak.

[KernowCooper]

I have had mine in the garage and the last 4 yrs not a drip

[FlyingScot]

 image.jpg   32.99K   2 downloads

Give us a clue.........


FS

[Blatherskite]

I have had mine in the garage and the last 4 yrs not a drip

My old Traveller only stopped leaking when the sump was empty :-(

[Lil G]

Thanks all for the speedy replies.

 

I have been on the phone to the garage and the three leaks are:

 

1. Sill behind the crank pulley - new gasket and maybe pulley

2. Small leak from the rocker cover - new gasket

3. Inside the bell housing

 

They said the bell housing is most likely to be a gasket, but won't  know until taken apart - hence the v.high labor costs.

 

Hope this update gives you a better idea of the problems.

[KernowCooper]

Thats way to much labour unless they charge £100 a hour

Clutch housing leak if its coming out the Jiggle Pin is the Primary oil seal

[666junky]

A whole replacement engine is cheaper than their quote.. i understand they have to charge labour but really? That much? I can understand if its a full rebuild of the engine / strip down etc but that seems a bit ott.
If you go down replacement route then make sure you dont buy a plum, swapping it is real easy and should take a day maximum with two people

[Richie83]

For starters I'd have a go at fixing the rocker cover leak yourself. You'd be surprised how much a small leak from here can drip. It'll cost you a few quid and a careful couple of hours to get it right.

[Anthony30]

I have had mine in the garage and the last 4 yrs not a drip

Say that with a straight face.  

[KernowCooper]

Not all Minis leak oil