So I took my mini into the dealer today to have the oil pan gasket looked at. During my last oil change it appeared that the oil pan gasket was leaking again. I had it replaced under warranty about 20k ago. So after about an hours or so, the tech asked me to come out and take a look. He showed me that he did not think it was the oil pan gasket leaking again. He was the the tech that originally replaced the gasket and said they very rarely need to be replaced more than once and especially only after 20k. He said that he thought might be the supercharger intake gasket? He showed me the location of the sc gasket and I questioned how the oil would get from that location to the oil pan area... Has anyone else had then issue with the supercharger gasket needing to be replaced at 62k? I asked him to steam clean the underside of the engine and I would check in a couple of days to see if I could locate the leak. I personally think it still is the oil pan gasket but in figured I would see what happens. They offered to change the oil pan gasket but i figured I would try to locate the origin of the leak. I never have any puddles from the leak but I see it in the general area of the oil pan. I know the crank sensor is also know to leak. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Walter
Yup, crank sensor will leak and collect dirt and oil down the front side of the block. Also, the PCV valve discharges right into the supercharger (light beige hose with red fitting on SC), and oil can leak out of the green upstream gasket at the low point. It's rare, though, because air and oil are constantly getting sucked up by the supercharger. Here's a picture of what a crank sensor leak at 85k looks like - look for the black plume on the block.
This thread was very useful... http://www.motoringalliance.com/forums/cooper-s/2797-oil-leaks-superchargers-etc.html (BTW, I can't tell if the pictures are down or my work firewall is blocking them - hope they're still up!)