h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Can anyone help me with a oil leak I have on a new car I have brought...? (Mini mayfair)

There is oil leaking on my drive... After removing the grill, I noticed oil all over the oil filter and oil over the bottom of the engine... There is no oil on or near where you put the oil in, so it is not from spilt oil runing down... Could this be from the sump? (I know this can cause leaking)... I will also be checking the oil filter is on correctly...

Has anyone got any sugestions?

Vicki

has the oil been over filled?

Has it started doing this suddenly, or since you got it?

If it was serviced just before you got it, they might have made a bit of a hash replacing the oil filter. Does it look like it might be coming out from round the filter? Or is it too much of a mess to tell?

The first thing to check is the oil-filter itself - that's where the oil is, and from your description it sounds the most likely cause. It should be hand tight, but you'll need to clean it off first so you can get a grip on it. Try and loosen it (anticlockwise) - if it's loose you've found the problem. Either way, tighten it fairly firmly - a good quarter turn after it stops spinning freely.

If it's not that you need to look elsewhere. Is there any sign that the oil has leaked down the side of the engine from nearer the top (above the plugs)? The rocker cover gasket is a common culprit for oil leaks, and it's a cheap and easy fix.

These are the usual suspects. If that doesn't help, I'd be inclined to clean the engine, run it and look for a leak while it's running. You should also check the dipstick if you haven't already done so - a small leak causes a lot of mess and you need to know if it's losing enough oil to cause concern that it may run low.

If the above measures shed no light you will need to look further afield. If oil is runing down the engine from below the plugs, the cylinder head gasket may be suspect. This is not the end of the world, but if you're not mechanically minded you're going to need help to fix that.

It's worth examining the oil filter mounting itself - the filter is mounted on a block bolted to the side of the engine - there's a gasket at the base of this which could be leaking, but it's masked by the alternator so it's difficult to see what's happening there. You may need to remove the alternator and run the engine for a few minutes without it to see better what's going on. This won't do any harm.

The other possibility is the sump gasket itself as you suggest. I don't think either this is very likely - this joint isn't pressurised and doesn't normally suddenly start leaking unless it's been disturbed - and it isn't a joint you disturb unless you've some fairly major work to do.

It's worth pointing out that the A series engine (which is what you've got) is not noted for being oil-tight - it's not unusual for them to use a pint or two between services - but they shouldn't be covered in oil and messing up your drive.

I suspect it's the filter. Let us know how you get on.

Aye, if it isn't the filter then I'll be surprised.

Thank you all for your help

As soon as there is a break in the weather I will be having a good look...

There is oil leaking over the filter and oil along the bottom of the engine (below the plugs) There is quite alot of it as well, If there was not as much I would not be so concered (it is dripping). The previous owner is not very mechinical so I do not have much infomation about the car... She did tell me the last time it was serviced was over two years ago!!! (I found this out today) So a good service is what is on the cards.

Right... so if it does not turn out to be oil filter... so suggest checking the oil filter mounting... Will I have to disconnet the Alternator or does it just move it out of the way? Will the car continue to run if the alternator is disconected? (didn't think it did)

Can you give me more details on the cylinder head gasket... I am no expert on mechanics but I have a little knowledge (from fixing my mark one Fiesta on a weekley basis) and a Hayes manual, hopefully that should be enough!!!

I will let you know what my new finding are....

Thank you all again

Vicki

no the car will not run when the alternator is disconnected (here speaks a person who's busted two alternators)

So am I guessing it just needs to be moved out the way?

alternators generally have the ability to pivot so that the tension of the timing belt can be changed.

It will run with the alternator disconnected, but it would damage the alternator - don't do that.

It will however run without the fanbelt and with the alternator swung out of the way (or removed). It's held on with 2 (9/16"?) nuts and bolts at the top and one (1/2") on a slide underneath. You shouldn't run it for very long like that, because the waterpump and fan will not be working, nor obviously will the alternator, but it won't do any harm to run the engine for a couple of minutes to see if you can find the leak. Your ignition light will either remain illuminated or not come on at all. That's ok.

You can drive without a fanbelt, but the engine eventually overheats and the battery goes flat.

If you need help in doing a cylinder head gasket I'd be happy to post advice, I've done a few in my time, but I won't be able to spend any time on h2g2 till Sunday afternoon. I don't think it'll come to that, though.

Right.... I tried to remove the oil filter to no avail.... Could not turn it in any direction... Will definate remove it this weekend... Everything looked tight though... I have wiped the seal and will check it to see if whether the leak is from there...

I had another good look aroung the engine and the oil seems to be all the way around the engine... Mostly on the right (unsure if that is because I have a better view of the right side)... Especially underneath the radiator... And the drips on my drive are always on the right hand side of the engine...

Thinking maybe it is something more than the oil filter now

I appreciate you help alot... Thank you

Oh about the alternator... I had a look at the fixings for thew oil filter and discovered that I would be able to get to it with out moving the alternator... Revoval of the grill give me good access to the front (good 'ol minis )...After all this I am now thinking about having a Flip Front put on it!!! Would make everything so much easier (toungueout)

Oh dear, I don't like the sound of that at all, Vicki.

If you couldn't shift the filter it probably isn't leaking, but what you describe sounds potentially serious.

Have a look down between the radiator and the engine. Is there a lot of oil around the bottom pulley (the crankshaft pulley)? If there is this needs investigating. Try to clean off the oil in the vicinity and run the engine for a bit - you don't need to dismantle anything. I fear you may find that oil is coming from behind that pulley. If it is, that means that the crankshaft oil seal has failed. Replacing that is a major job, I'm afraid - the engine will have to come out, the sump will have to come off, you don't want to get involved with this.

I hope I'm wrong. I may well be - I haven't seen the car. If I'm right, and the car wasn't expensive, it may well be best to try and get rid of it and find a better one.

have just added "how to change an oil filter " to the list of interesting links on the car club page.

ok, here's a few questions
is there any oil above where the filter is located?
if so where?
you say there is oil near the radiator:
could it be transmission fluid leaking in that area instead of motor oil?
(I ask this because I made the same mistake once and it cost me a lot of time and effort. Turned out to be the transmission fluid lines to the radiator leaking)

I've had further thoughts too, Vicki - oil might just be leaking from the timing cover gasket (the joint immediately behind the pulley I described earlier - it's not very likely, but it would be less of a job than the front seal. If it does turn out to be the seal, I'd be inclined to either run with the leak and keep it topped up (and get a drip tray for the driveway) or get rid.

Minis are different, Yowzupman - there isn't a separate casing containing the transmission. The gearbox is actually situated beneath the (transverse) engine, in the sump. It shares the same oil. This saves a lot of space, but you can see it's less than ideal for the lubrication of engine OR gearbox.

It's even more important than normal to change the oil regularly and keep it topped up in a Mini, and to use good quality oil. When Mrz Kebab owned a Mini I made sure to change the oil every 3,000 miles, rather than the recommended 6,000.

They're a blast though - I can see why Vicki likes them.

Take a look at http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/h2g2/A570430