Hi all, I'll check if there's an introduction thread soon, but in the meantime, basically I've recently purchased a 2008 cooper s sidewalk R52 (UK). I've posted on another forum but just in the process of working out which is the most active forum for these cars!...

So i thought I had an oil leak
First time I've managed to get under the car today, cleaned up the underside of the car a bit where it had been leaking, then ran the car and checked under for leaks.

I found (at least) 2 issues...

1 - there's green looking fluid running to the position as shown in the photo, next to a bolt - what is this bolt for? (Fluid doesn't look green on photo but it is in reality - i think!)
Looking at the power steering reservoir, I'm thinking it's this that's leaking. Fluid very low, and looks like it's been leaking at some point and possibly still is from the hose at the back, and potentially the reservoir itself.
Do you think this is where leaking fluid would end up? (Next to the bold head)

Btw, coolant in the coolant reservoir is orange, another job to flush and change, but makes me think that this leak is not coolant as it's green.

2 - what is just under the oil filter area? Oil cooler?
It appears that there may be a leak around that area somewhere, is this a normal place to see oil leaks? Is there a gasket of sorts to replace to rectify?
I think I need to take the wheel off for a better look at this one
The last photo doesn't show it well, but it's the 'corrugated' thing in the centre of the photo under the oil filter.
Possibly leaking where it mounts onto the side of the engine somewhere?

Thanks in advance!

 

Checked again after a few hours and it's still wet around that bolt in the first photo
There was a drip forming that looked green, but then on a bit of paper it just looks brown, I think...
I've put some newspaper under it to see what it looks like in the morning

 

Leaky power steering lines are common; I think I’m on my third or fourth set at this point. At the very least, one of your upper clamps has been replaced.

CHF 11S is green, if memory serves.

 

It could be motor oil if the previous owner put Liqui-Moly brand oil in it.

 

Thanks for the replies all.

I've replaced the clip on the rear hose, there was definitely.a bit of a leak on that one from the reservoir.
Whether or not it's the leak I'm seeing under the car I'm not sure.

Topped up the power steering fluid to where it should be

We'll see what happens now I guess!


Next job is finding which of the pulleys on the serpentine belt is squeaking! But for another day...
(If anyone has any tips about identifying the squeaking pulley it would be welcome )

 

You can remove the belt -- note the direction so you put it back on running the same direction as before you removed it -- and then check each accessory drive for bearing play. Try to wiggle the pulley. The accessory drive with the most (any) play is highly suspect. At the same time you check any idler and tensioner rollers for excessive play, or roughness. Also, check if any show signs of the belt slipping. It can do this is the tensioner is getting weak or if one of the idler roller bearings is bad.

With other cars the accessory drive with the most play was the water pump.

With another car I heard a dry bearing sound while the engine was idling. Took the car to the dealer. Tech found an idler roller bearing bad. This was covered by warranty but I had him also replace the other idler roller and the tensioner. After everything was fine. For a while.

Some few years later upon cold start I'd hear a faint 'chirp'. And not due to the accessory drive being wet.

Tech found one of the new (well, new some years prior it was new) idler roller bearings bad. And again I had all replaced along with the tensioner. This time the accessory drive stayed quiet.

 

Thanks for the info that's a good starting point

I did read somewhere that one way is to spray some WD40 on each roller, one at a time (I guess the bearing part, not the outer face where the belt runs!)

The one with the problem roller may temporary stop speaking with the lubrication

But like you say, it may be obvious which is bad once I get in there and take the belt off

 

I’ve heard of people using WD-40 as a sort of belt dressing on v belts, but I’ve never done it myself for obvious reasons. I wouldn’t go trying to spray WD-40 into the sealed bearings unless you plan on replacing all of them.

 

A properly aligned/tensioned V-belt drive (or serpentine belt drive) needs no belt dressing. Belt dressing was a thing back when for instance machine tools were driven by flat leather belts in turn driven from an overhead shaft.

 

WD40 is a solvent not a lubricant.

I think if an idler roller bearing was bad enough to make noise it would be obvious based on how it felt.

If you want with a mechanic's stethoscope with the engine idling you can probe each idler roller -- maybe where it bolts to the block -- and the one that is the noisiest is the bad one. 'course, you have to use extreme caution around a running engine and especially around its accessory drive.

Check prices but idler rollers are probably not that expensive. If you find the prices reasonable you can load up the parts cannon and replace those.

 

The belt dressing I’m referring to was a common conditioner for rubber belts. You can still buy it, but it shouldn’t be used on serpentine belts.

 

Thanks for the replies guys!

I wasn't going to spray anything on the belt itself, don't worry😁

I'll just get the belt off when I get the time. Hopefully it'll be obvious which is failing