Engine Oil leaking OR????

[EBMCS03]

I was looking under the car today to figure out a way to install the PS Fan Grill and found that there is oil around like on the under side of the engine block or whatever it is, in front of the grill. Its not a HUGE leak but it seem like its just starting...

here is a picture of where I found oil this is NOT my car its moorlockx's I dont have a picture of mine so I'm borrowing his.

This is approximatly where theres oil soaked around... IT SEEMS like moorlockx's is starting too.. you see on the bottom part of the red circle?




There is a big drip in the middle where the arrow is pointing.





What do you guys think? Engine Oil leaking? Somthing else? Should I take it into the dealer SOON?

Thanks

[obehave]

That's where your oil drain plug is. You should at least make sure it's tight. Especially before driving anywhere.

[EBMCS03]

Ok! will do that... might explain the drip of oil but what about it being all over the area where I circled in the first pic?

[obehave]

Quote: Originally Posted by EBMCS03

Ok! will do that... might explain the drip of oil but what about it being all over the area where I circled in the first pic?

Don't really know where it came from but looking at the pic of moorlockx car that could be just a few drops of oil. Something worth looking in to just the same.

[EBMCS03]

Ok I went outisde and got some pics... the best I can do for now... tell me what you think

[tavis1]

Hows towards the back of the car look? It could be residule from the last oil change. Also if the drain plug is leaking check to see if it is tight like mentioned. Some drain plugs I've seen use mostly a copper gasket and if over torked can mess them up. Some have "o" rings. And some Bafoon could have cross threaded it also. I'm not trying to scare you These are all scenerio's I've seen. I would have it check and keep an eye on it.
Tavis1

[EBMCS03]

Sorry, What do you mean how towards the back of the car look? you mean the rear of the car or the rear of the engine block?

Humm all that? residue from the last oil change? i'll have to try tightening the nut i guess... but if its cross threaded i dont wnat to make it worse... and i cant unscrew it... oil will pour out. weird thing is its all on the left side... pasenger side...

[moorlockx]

You might have a front oil seal (crank) leaking. I've read where this has been a problem for some people. The reason I say this is that the oil spot seems heavier towards the far side of the motor, away from the drain plug. Looking at your pics though I'd definitely say you've got something that needs to be checked out. That's just too much oil to ignore.

BTW...after getting your IM last night (which I again thank you for), I jacked up one side and looked under the car. Mine's dry as a bone now ((10K+ miles since the pic). I suspect what was showing as a leak on mine was from the oil filter I had just change right before that pic had been taken.

[EBMCS03]

Ya I took the car in today, only day i can get a ride back. now I'm carless... Long Beach doesnt provide loaners either. you can however rent one for $50 a day but I dont have that kinda money to blow. The service advisor tried to look under the car but couldnt stick her head under to really see... so its going to sit at the dealer for 2 days till my appoitment comes up on Thurs sometime. hopefully its a easy fix.

[tavis1]

Quote: Originally Posted by EBMCS03

Ya I took the car in today, only day i can get a ride back. now I'm carless... Long Beach doesnt provide loaners either. you can however rent one for $50 a day but I dont have that kinda money to blow. The service advisor tried to look under the car but couldnt stick her head under to really see... so its going to sit at the dealer for 2 days till my appoitment comes up on Thurs sometime. hopefully its a easy fix.

I was just wondering if from the leak back on the bottom of the car if it had oil residue. That so sucks to be with out your car. Will you get it back by Sunday? Burned your CD's tonight. The last song on the last CD is a joke, I hope you get it. Anyway I hope things flow smooth with your car.
Tavis1

[EBMCS03]

Well I got the car back... they apparently slipped it in and had time to work on it. so *shrugs* but they said it was nothing... no leaks so I dunno... but they did end up replacing the Aux Fan diode, added the rub cover for the hood where paint was rubbing off under the hood, and did a oil change for me. I was going to pay for it and get one done in about 1000 miles but since they did it for free COOL! its been a year so it was the yearly oil change i guess.

but they did add some dye into the oil and said to bring it back in to get it checked later, i need to call back and ask when that later is.

[tavis1]

Quote: Originally Posted by EBMCS03

Well I got the car back... they apparently slipped it in and had time to work on it. so *shrugs* but they said it was nothing... no leaks so I dunno... but they did end up replacing the Aux Fan diode, added the rub cover for the hood where paint was rubbing off under the hood, and did a oil change for me. I was going to pay for it and get one done in about 1000 miles but since they did it for free COOL! its been a year so it was the yearly oil change i guess.

but they did add some dye into the oil and said to bring it back in to get it checked later, i need to call back and ask when that later is.

Why did they change the Aux fan diode? The dye idea is great. we use that for refridigerant leaks at times. Is it the kind you need a black light for?
Tavis1

[EBMCS03]

They said it was a recall I think i read about it here on MINI2 before too... but never kenw it applied to me. i think yours being a 04 should be ok. I have no idea what dye they used... i should ask that too when i call in morrow to ask when i need to take it back to them to check.

[tavis1]

The black light dye is the best. It's really cool stuff to use. Any word yet on the race this sunday?
Tavis1

[EBMCS03]

Ok my MINI went back to the dealer today to be checked for the leak and surely theres a leak... I staied there from 11am to 3pm waiting for the car to get fixed with my dad... Besides me tavis' wife was also there and we chatted a bit.

Well Today they replaced the oil can gasket but that wasn't all of it... theres more leaks they said they also need to replace 3 other timing gaskets which are not in stock so I have to go back next monday to get that fitted and thats suppose to take half a day. *sigh* Well I hope that would be the end of my problems... thats 3 times back to the dealer in a month... but i have to say at least they are taking care of the problem properly... they could have just replaced just one gasket and just leave it... I guess as long as its under waranty thank goodness...