Odd location 'oil' leak from 2005 Cooper S R53
Discussion
I know there is an issue with some (or most?) R53 Mini Cooper S cars burning or leaking oil, but I have what appears to be an oil leak from a wierd place.
Car is a 2005 Cooper S AUTOMATIC with JCW conversion I bought in late Feb. About 6 weeks ago I parked it on my drive and an hour later noticed this:
Had a look under the arch the best I could, but was perplexed at how it seemed right out by the wheel. Upon looking at the suspension the strut was 'wet' and there was a damp/dark patch on the driveshaft and lower wishbone. Ok, probably the shock absorber leaking its oil out so I thought nothing more of it with the intention of changing the shocks when I next get the car onto my parents pit.
Anyway I checked the oil the other day (admittedly for the first time in a month) and it was low. So I topped it up and parked the car further over on the drive and sure enough it left this:
So I have an oil leak I believe, but where? Common is the knock sensor seal, crank seal but this seems way too far back and over to be these? It's almost out by the wheel. Interestingly, my driveway is a slight incline BUT when parked at work on flat ground, no wet patch is left. I haven't had the car long enough to know if the oil is burning or if it's this leak and the wet patch is just the shock absorber, any ideas? I'll be putting it over my parents pit next weekend, but just wanted an idea beforehand if I have to get any parts.
Could it be a rocker cover leak thats running down the top of the gearbox then onto the floor there? I'm also perplexed why it;s bone dry on flat ground but weeps a bit on an incline?
Car is a 2005 Cooper S AUTOMATIC with JCW conversion I bought in late Feb. About 6 weeks ago I parked it on my drive and an hour later noticed this:
Had a look under the arch the best I could, but was perplexed at how it seemed right out by the wheel. Upon looking at the suspension the strut was 'wet' and there was a damp/dark patch on the driveshaft and lower wishbone. Ok, probably the shock absorber leaking its oil out so I thought nothing more of it with the intention of changing the shocks when I next get the car onto my parents pit.
Anyway I checked the oil the other day (admittedly for the first time in a month) and it was low. So I topped it up and parked the car further over on the drive and sure enough it left this:
So I have an oil leak I believe, but where? Common is the knock sensor seal, crank seal but this seems way too far back and over to be these? It's almost out by the wheel. Interestingly, my driveway is a slight incline BUT when parked at work on flat ground, no wet patch is left. I haven't had the car long enough to know if the oil is burning or if it's this leak and the wet patch is just the shock absorber, any ideas? I'll be putting it over my parents pit next weekend, but just wanted an idea beforehand if I have to get any parts.
Could it be a rocker cover leak thats running down the top of the gearbox then onto the floor there? I'm also perplexed why it;s bone dry on flat ground but weeps a bit on an incline?
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