Imagine a r56 leaking oil?

seems to leak front of engine after engine cools off likely in the area of down pipe turbo.

not a lot of oil & have not yet determined if leaking while running as it is winter road salt.

but did start engine turn car around was not leaking in short warm up only after engine cooled down.

is this likely the oil cooler?

 

2009 mcs w/ > 180K miles on the clock here:

I think you hunch that it may be the oil filter housing gasket is probably correct. Could also be the turbo oil return line but, these don't seem to fail as often as the oil filter housing gaskets.

Good luck.

 

Okay I will see what I can see there, thnx

 

If it’s more or less evident where the engine and transmission meet, it’s probably the oil filter housing. If it’s more toward the middle, going toward the passenger side, it’s the turbo oil line.
regardless, if you’ve never done either before, you want to be prepared to do both. It’s kind of a pain to get the front into service mode and get the clearance you need.
I have three R56’s. 2009 has 201K on it, the 2013 has 190K on it, and I have another 2013 with 85K on it. The oil filter housing is a crappy design on the N14 and N18 engine.

 

So to get to the oil filter housing? N14 engine I believe assuming you need to remove more than just the air hoses above ?

how much needs to come apart?

 

if you put the mini in front end service mode you will gain enough room to work. For the easiest access you can drain coolant and remove the whole front end leaving your ac condenser connected, then you can get to everything with ease, it’s a bit of work to get it there not going to lie. I replaced the radiator support on the clubman, once that’s off everything is easily accessible.

 

I have had the front apart to replace the front shroud body work.
at that point painted frame that was rusting.
I assume this may be similar or more so to get to front of engine!.

 

I won't lie to you, the first time I put a Mini into the front end service mode, and replaced he gasket it took me a day and a morning before everything was done. Now I can have the gasket done in a 1/2 day in my garage. There are some really good You Tube videos out now on how to do it. I have set of Quick Jacks to get the car about 2 feet off the ground, so that makes things easier also.
Basically the front end of a Mini is like the slide on a trombone. It moves forward about 6" to give you some room to work. Some folks also just take the front end off. I've never needed to do that. Get a set of ratcheting metric box end wrenches if you don't already have some. Make sure to get a 10mm!!! Harbor freight has some really cheap ones, that are also very small. They don't last long, but they don't cost much either.
There are a couple of other parts you may want to consider replacing while you're doing the job, or at least look at them while you're there. The turbo oil lines and the turbo lower coolant line. The top coolant line is easy to do but the lower one can be a pain. Detroit Tuned makes a turbo oil line upgrade that has compression fittings that is less prone to leaks.

 

I have the tools & jacks turned the car around back in so I could get started getting apart what is required.
then when warmer weather arrives I could do required replacement.
I am in process of installing turbo in old Land Rover that is also a learning process.
I have seen some utube on this job but they are useless if it is all done in fast motion!
but I will look for more.

 

We see a lot of oil leaks at the oil filter housing and the turbo oil line. This is the best kit out there to fix all of the leaks: https://www.detroittuned.com/detroit...ine-super-kit/
We do not take off the whole front end to do this service. A skilled tech can do it in under 4 hours. but I would plan on 6 or so as a first-timer.

 

Any suggested video as progression to get things apart.

that was specific front end service mode thanks

long overdue I started this.

 

check the vacuum pump gasket too. Mine crumbled in my hand when I took it off.

 

Is the vacuum pump also front of engine?

hoping to start getting things apart end of week.

 

Its on the driver's side of the head. Easy to get too. Has a hard line going into it. if your valve train looks like that, clean out that vacuum pump because the oil port is TINY and if its gummed up and pump fails it will destroy the valvetrain, and it has for some people.

I had a post with pics of the inside of that absurd vacuum pump. See for yourself. Ive never seen anything more susceptible to oil starvation and failure that that stupid pump which sits high up on an engine which leaks and burns oil like crazy.

Let us pray...

 

I may get the plastic bits off today & see how the rest comes apart so I can get a better look.

 

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ml#post4147335

 

Another item to deal with at same time hopefully.

working through vehicles winter maintenance, this will be a learning process.

 

Dont wait to long on that vacuum pump. Its easy to do.

 

The mini is blocked in by a rover up on jacks since last summer waiting for the owner to get motivated.
today I pull plastic parts.

 

Ahh you like junk cars....Im seeing a trend...

 

The rover works.

the mini leaks oil.

of course rusted bolts stripped screws.

 

It was designed to leak oil. I swear this must be true. Aluminum engine with steel oil pan and plastic valve cover...plus crap seals.

 

All about the margin of making & selling, $$$

 

Front bumper is removed except the drivers side outside headlamp bolt rusted stuck spinning with the metal insert.
only way I can see is grind off the head of bolt.

does the lamp need to be removed to allow the frame to move forward?

 

Yes headlights need to be removed to get into "Service Mode".