8 replies to this topic

[MiniDick]

Right, my Mini is bein restored and has been standing in the same place for around a month or so. a small 'collection' of oil has appeared at the front (to the right of the sump) there doesn't seem to be any fresh oil above the sump so is this a new sump gasket? Or possibly something nasty? I'm a newbie and thick as Pig Pooh so please enlighten me to the ways of the Mini Oil Leak.....

[mini maniac]

All cars leak oil to a certain extent, how bad is the leak? It may just be a thing that you have to put up with if it's just like every other car, i'm afraid. Mini's are renowned for them as well...

Switz x

[MiniDick]

It's not something that would make me panic but if it's down to a new gasket I can stick a new one on no probs. My usual method was to steam the engine off once a month and just keep an eye on it.

[TOMMO0302]

You have a pic? It might be the pot joint and unfortunately i dont think there is a gasket between the pot joint and gearbox, but it is the pot joint that creates the seal itself.

[minislapper]

is it coming out of the sump plug itself?

it's quite common to have stripped sump plug threads.

Not unless he's got the sump plug on the opposite side to normal !

Clean off the engine and see where new oil is coming from. Put some cardboard under the car and see where it's dripping down from. A leak could be coming from any number of places.

[TNT]

Get something (like a sheet or peice of cardboard) as wide/wider than your car, park the front wheels on it and mark the insides of the wheels, leave it there for as long as possible and see how much it leaks.

then..
take the car off the *whatever you put under it* and measure the leak spot on *whatever you put under* to the inside of the nearest wheel mark, then measure the same distance from the inside of the actual wheel to pinpoint the location of your leak.

Might seem a long way of doing it but its worked for me many times.

Matt

[alexcrosse]

i had a whole going all the way through my oil pressure switch on the front of the block. check that. If it is, get an oil pressure gauge, fitments come with it to replace the switch and its all metal... and u need a gauge if ur gonna modify a mini, dont want it to overheat and blow huh!