1st Gen R53 Cooper S After Gaskets, Seal & O-ring Swap, Oil Pan Still Leaks...Dayummm!!!

Discussion in '1st Generation: 2002–06 R50, R53 & 2004–08 R52' started by minsanity, Jun 11, 2016.

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  1. minsanity

    minsanity Well-Known Member

    Sep 11, 2009
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    #1 minsanity, Jun 11, 2016
    Did my 55k maintenance a month ago.
    -Oil change 5w-30
    -Fumoto valve
    -Oil Filter housing triangle gasket
    11 42 7 509 211
    -Crank Position Sensor Blue O-Ring
    -Crank Shaft Seal Oil Seal...had to pull the ATI only to see a dry seal...
    -Oil Pan Gasket
    -Valve cover gasket
    Followed tightening sequence & torque...
    Now, I still get a drip every 3days or so on the lowest & rearmost bolt on the timing chain cover. Moisture follows thru the oil pan gasket joint & drips down the 1 oil pan bolt under the oil filter housing. No sign of any oil coming from up the block.
    My OCD has been whispering to go back digging, but sound tech minds have been telling me to leave it alone...
    Your thoughts, guys? You think I messed the new oil pan gasket? Kinda frustrating to go thru service mode & still have a slow drip.:(
     
  2. ZippyNH

    ZippyNH Well-Known Member

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    #2 ZippyNH, Jun 12, 2016
    I'd say a mini that does not leak is a MINI without oil!!
    A tiny drip...one drip every 3 days...I'd not even stress it...it's not going to hurt anything until it get LOTS worse.
    That may never happen.....
     
  3. minsanity

    minsanity Well-Known Member

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    #3 minsanity, Jun 12, 2016
    Thanks, Zip, that's what everyone says. Just bummed me to go thru all that & still get drips.....not as bad as before though. Now, it's from that lone corner by the timing chain cover.
     
  4. fishmonger

    fishmonger Well-Known Member

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    #4 fishmonger, Jun 13, 2016
    If you decide that the drops must stop, you could use a UV die leak detector kit to hunt down the source of the problem.
     
  5. Sig

    Sig Member

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    #5 Sig, Jun 13, 2016
    It's not leaking, it's just marking it's territory :wink:
     
  6. 00Mini

    00Mini Well-Known Member

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    #6 00Mini, Jun 13, 2016
    I hate leaks but one drip every third day is something I could live with.
     
  7. minsanity

    minsanity Well-Known Member

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    #7 minsanity, Jun 13, 2016
    Yeah, but getting under using a Rhino ramp, you just cant see much.:(

    Haha...long domesticated & housebroken...
    Incontinence might be the apt diagnosis.:)
     
  8. minsanity

    minsanity Well-Known Member

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    #8 minsanity, Jun 13, 2016
    Anyone here ever had to replace their timing chain cover gasket due to leaks? I'm still hopeful I dint mess up my oil pan gasket.
     
  9. minsanity

    minsanity Well-Known Member

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    #9 minsanity, Jun 16, 2016
    Good thing I've fumoto...realized I've overfilled oil. Got under & extracted a lil more than half a quart.
    The leak was slow, but constant at rest. I'm guessing the oil level is a bit above the sump gasket line...
    Can any1 confirm overfilling can cause this sump or timing chain cover gaskets to leak?
    Thanks.
     
  10. minsanity

    minsanity Well-Known Member

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    #10 minsanity, Jun 17, 2016
    Update:
    Timing chain cover still leaks at its rear-facing lowest point as some oil stays there at rest due to engine tilt. This was confirmed by the Great Maestro, Khuevo....
    Now, time to leave a cardboard by the garage floor. This shall be tackled on the next oil change.
     
  11. MCS02

    MCS02 Moderator
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    Jul 31, 2009
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    #11 MCS02, Jun 17, 2016
    Don't listen to them! Now its one drip but just think how oil is getting all over the motor. In 5 years or so it will be a mess!!!! as you sit reading this post oil is slowly getting EVERYWHEREyes everywhere!
    I would pull the engine and find it!!:biggrin5:

    Ok, I would leave it alone and just clean it with a little simple green every now and agin. Of course I use to own a Alfa. With Alfa's if the puddle in the morning is less then a foot your good to go.
     
  12. minsanity

    minsanity Well-Known Member

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    #12 minsanity, Jun 17, 2016
    Hahaha...after seeing the steps to replace the timing chain cover gasket....the cardboard by the floor & your simple green might be the best option.....
    ....for now.:D
     

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