12 replies to this topic

[KMac77]

Hi there just wondering if anyone has tried using the engine seal products to try and prevent minor oil leaks or if it was not recommended because of the mini design

[Dusky]

Not recommended (I Read a bit about it a year OR 2 ago, we should definately avoid Them when there is X..... In it, harms the box). But never found one that works either.

[Orange-Phantom]

As per what Dusky has said!

 

You could run an Evacusump system which will run the crankcase at negative pressure.  One nice side effect.... No more oil leaks!

[KMac77]

Cheers for that gentlemen

[Spider]

I wouldn't recommend any additives for a Mini.

 

Probably what you don't want to hear, by why not repair the leaks?

 

Acknowledged that some can be a pain, depending on where it's leaking, but 90% of the time, they are straightforward.

[KMac77]

Thanks I tried replacing the heat gasket but I am not overly mechanically inclined so anything else cost me a lot in hourly mechanic fees

[mab01uk]

As said use of additives in a Mini engine is higher risk and not usually recommended because unlike most modern cars the Mini engine and gearbox share the same oil. Also the reason that only some oils are recommended for use in the transverse versions of the A-Series engine.

[pusb]

Asking this purely out of curiosity here, but is the sole reason that these are not recommended down to the in sump gearbox?
I mean would they be fine in an a series engine that had a separate gearbox?

[Orange-Phantom]

The trouble with adding any extra additives to an oil is that you upset the balance of the additives in the oil this can then have a detrimental effect on one of the other additives and bring about undesired side effects.  Much better to select the correct oil in the first place.  E.g.  Millers CTV.

 

Yes adding extra engine based additives can have a detrimental effect on the gearbox.  Unfortunately we have to lubricate the Engine and the Gearbox with the same oil, both of which have their own requirements, that's why Engine oils are different to gearbox oils.  You can get combined engine and gearbox oils for the Mini, so that's what I run as mentioned before.

 

The only time I would add any additive is when running in a new camshaft and up the ZDDP content of it as per David Vizards break in procedure that I'll try and dig out.  That is only for a very short period of time, then you get rid of the oil and run your normal oil.

[Spider]

Asking this purely out of curiosity here, but is the sole reason that these are not recommended down to the in sump gearbox?
I mean would they be fine in an a series engine that had a separate gearbox?

 

Using additives is not at all wise as Orange man has pointed out.

 

Also, in this instance, it's a poor band-aid solution to mask an underlying problem.

 

I think rather than 'put a coat of pain over the rust, fix the rust' type approach is wiser.

 

It might hide the leaks in the short term, but will only bite harder down the track.

[Northernpower]

Hi there just wondering if anyone has tried using the engine seal products to try and prevent minor oil leaks or if it was not recommended because of the mini design

Where is the oil leak coming from?

[KMac77]

Honestly I am not sure. It's all over the oil block

[Northernpower]

What do you mean oil block? What I would do is completely clean it off and then run it and the park it up with some paper under it. It may be a simple fix.