Discussion
A 2005 will have a different engine from a 2007. It could be a few things, worn valve seals, piston rings but the engines in Mk1 Minis are tough old birds. If it was mine & it has been recently, then I would start with something much simpler - the crankcase ventilation valve.
All engines pump a degree of combustion gases into the crankcase, it's called blow-by. These gases are sucked out using engine vacuum & returned to the manifold to be cycled through the combustion chambers again. Your car has a one way valve that can become blocked over time & when that happens, one of the symptoms is a marked increase in oil consumption. Over time, it can cause the engine oil to turn to sludge & since the crankcase becomes pressurised, gaskets & seals to fail.
The good news is it's easy to test for & fix. Run the car up to temp then at idle, undo the oil filler cap & if you can feel gases blowing out of the cap then you'll know the valve is blocked - there should be a slight vacuum when you place your hand over the filler cap opening.
The valve itself is on the top left hand side of the valve cover on the engine as you look at it. You can either unscrew it & clean it out with brake cleaner, rubbing alcohol or similar, or just replace it with new one.
It's part number one on this diagram but I would check with the dealer for your daughter's specific car as the part can differ. I'd also consider an oil change if it turns out to be that & has been going on for a while. If it isn't that, then you are looking at potentially expensive stuff but I would definitely start with the crankcase ventilation valve.
All engines pump a degree of combustion gases into the crankcase, it's called blow-by. These gases are sucked out using engine vacuum & returned to the manifold to be cycled through the combustion chambers again. Your car has a one way valve that can become blocked over time & when that happens, one of the symptoms is a marked increase in oil consumption. Over time, it can cause the engine oil to turn to sludge & since the crankcase becomes pressurised, gaskets & seals to fail.
The good news is it's easy to test for & fix. Run the car up to temp then at idle, undo the oil filler cap & if you can feel gases blowing out of the cap then you'll know the valve is blocked - there should be a slight vacuum when you place your hand over the filler cap opening.
The valve itself is on the top left hand side of the valve cover on the engine as you look at it. You can either unscrew it & clean it out with brake cleaner, rubbing alcohol or similar, or just replace it with new one.
It's part number one on this diagram but I would check with the dealer for your daughter's specific car as the part can differ. I'd also consider an oil change if it turns out to be that & has been going on for a while. If it isn't that, then you are looking at potentially expensive stuff but I would definitely start with the crankcase ventilation valve.
How engineering and tolerances have changed over the decades. My old Vauxhall was renowned for its engines oil consumption, even the handbook advised owners to check the level of the engines oil regularly. The Vauxhall sported a straight six OHV 2.8 cc engine.The engine was designed without the use of valve stem seals and as such 1000 miles would burn off one gallon of engine oil!! Sit at traffic lights for a minute or two and then accelerate away leaving behind a fog of blue oil smoke, embarrassing nowadays. Sold the car several years ago now but not due to oil usage.
Nothing to do with Minis of course, but we have just purchased a 2009 cooper, seller advised watch the oil level, we are going to buy a dip stick which we can actually read.
Nothing to do with Minis of course, but we have just purchased a 2009 cooper, seller advised watch the oil level, we are going to buy a dip stick which we can actually read.
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