[Charlie]

I’ve recently bought an 03 plate r53 and have done an oil and filter change just after I bought it, I checked it a couple weeks later to find it had no oil in it which thought was unusual because it doesn’t smoke at all and there is no patches of oil where I park. I’ve read somewhere they were known for using some oil but I seem to be topping it up every week just wondering if this was out the ordinary and if so what it might be.

 

[Maccmike]

Its leaking from somewhere bud. Rear main?

 

[Charlie]

cheers for this. is there any way I would be able to tell without removing clutch, flywheel etc?

 

[Maccmike]

If the block is bone dry?? and its not smoking and theres no oil/water contamination. It can only be this.
Id be surprised if it hasnt got multiple small leaks.
Whats mileage and service history like?
My mini uses oil, not enough that it needs topping up weekly but they all use a bit of oil, and they all have leaks.
Have you got a receipt for clutch work? Is it still on original clutch?

 

[Charlie]

when I first noticed it I topped oil up and drove it and layed I piece of card directly under the engine and left for 30 mins or so and it was bone dry.
just had a loo through its history and cant see any clutch work so presume it is still on original clutch. car is on 75k and yeah think once a week is a little to much aha

 

[Maccmike]

Yeah they dont drip oil but I can almost guarantee the block wont be dry.
Get underneath and upload some pictures.

 

[Charlie]

got a couple here mate

 

[Charlie]

also just had a word with my mate and he reckons that if it has gone then it would be due to crank shaft wear which he said would be best to just change engine, is this true or would replacing rear main seal be okay?

 

[Dave^]

How many miles did you do in that few weeks?

Are you 100% sure you put enough in to begin with? Did you check it again after running the engine for a few mins to fill the filter?

 

[Charlie]

Hiya I must have done about 500 miles and yeah it took all the right amount of oil it said it would online and yeah checked a few times afterwards although when changing the oil I used 0w30 but after I found out it had lost its oil I found I should have used 5w30

 

[JKo]

Subframe looks a bit wet to me, as does the area between gearbox and sump... most likely it's the rear main seal that is leaking, at least a bit. But I think there would be more oil there if it was leaking that much in 500 miles.

It can also be pushing oil through the intake via the PCV system. Maybe start by replacing the PCV valve..? And clean the intercooler, you may find some oil there.

 

[Charlie]

Thanks will give that a try see if I can see any oil in there, is it worth keeping engine then if rear main is leaking then or is it a common issue that just needs replacing?

 

[CarsOrBikes]

also just had a word with my mate and he reckons that if it has gone then it would be due to crank shaft wear which he said would be best to just change engine, is this true or would replacing rear main seal be okay?

No it's not true

You shouldn't have used 5/30 over 0/30 either, both are ok, 0/30 is what any dealer will put in fwiw.

If you've changed or checked the PCV valve then perhaps get some more pics looking at the engine from the rear view looking up showing the bottom of the gearbox and rear side of it, also sump/gearbox joint and bottom of clutch fork.

If the rear main has gone it might just smear rearwards but from those pics already it doesn't look so bad. It is wet around the sump to gearbox joint and the rear sump edge. How much are you adding weekly? And by 'no oil' do you mean just on min?

You'll also see halfway across the sump at the joint to the gearbox at the bottom, there is a small semi circular hole which is a tell tale of input shaft or rear main leaks, but sometimes the leak is clearer from the top left rear corner of the sump to gearbox just below the starter, ideally look across there, but also all the way across the rear sump joint, and also shine the torch up at the oil filter housing looking for leaks where it joins the engine or other leak signs from oil collecting at the back. When cold also run your fingers along the rear of the cylinder head above the exhaust which will reveal rocker cover seal leaks or the timing chain guide access caps at the front perhaps.

They all use a reasonable amount of oil but not that much, and I'd expect to find it quite wet under there for what you say you're putting in.

If useful, guide price: rear main seal £432 plus parts, with engine out so any others will be cheaper if required, as is a supercharger oil service @ only £144 plus sundries, and crank sensor seal @ £parts only, in conjunction with the aforesaid.

 

[Maccmike]

Dont speak to your mate about the Mini anymore!!!!

 

[Charlie]

Thanks for all the hel,p will try get some more pics from underneath after checking pcv and intercooler

 

[Charlie]

And by no oil I mean it took nearly 2 litres

 

[Charlie]

Got some more photos, removed intercooler and found a little oil in the rubber boot checked pcv and seemed okay as it only blew one way?

 

[Maccmike]

The residue on the cooler pipes. Is that CV grease or engine oil?

 

[Maccmike]

Picture 3.

 

[Charlie]

Couldn’t tell you mate will have another look tomorrow