How to Deal with Crank Seal Oil Leaks in a Mini
Post on August 18, 2021 by ultimateauadmin
There are few vehicles as head-turning and immediately recognizable as the Mini Cooper. Their fame was enhanced by movies like The Italian Job, but Minis were loved by the millions of people around the world who have owned them for decades.
Always popular in Europe, Minis were made more popular in America by that fantastic film. Even vehicles such as Mini Coopers are not exempt from occasional maintenance issues, such as oil leaks. One of the main places that you will run into this problem on the Mini is in the crank seal. You have two options when dealing with crank seal leaks in your Mini Cooper: fix it or replace it. Sounds simple enough.
The crank seal system in your car is made up of several components:
- crankcase
- cylinders
- crankshaft cavity
- crankshaft seal
All of these pieces work together to make sure that your engine runs properly and your wheels keep turning. These components also need to be constantly lubricated and submerged in oil.
While the crankshaft seal, or crank seal, may look like a very simple piece to the puzzle, it is the only thing keeping the oil from spilling out and running freely out of the crank system. If your crank seal fails and you start to leak oil, then your engine will be at serious risk for damage and improper usage.
Because the crank seal is made of rubber, it is only a matter of time before it eventually starts to break down and begin to crumble. The main cause of this breaking down is the high heat and constant friction the crank seal is exposed to from extreme engine heat. The oil in which the crank seal is submerged also starts to eat away at the rubber and compounds any problems faced by the impaired seal.
How to Tell if Your Crank Seal is Leaking
There are several ways to tell if the crank seal is leaking in your Mini Cooper:
- Visible leak: Often, a crank seal leak will start very small, and it will be difficult to see signs of leakage. The easiest way to notice a leak is to look underneath your Mini after it has been left stationary for several hours or days. By this time, there should be a small puddle of oil underneath the front of your car if there is a crank seal leak.
- High mileage: As your Mini Cooper continues to put on mileage, it becomes more and more important to get your crank seal inspected regularly. Problems always get more frequent with the age and use of your car.
- Occasional clutch slips: A somewhat rare but more severe sign of crank seal leak is that your clutch will occasionally slip as you’re shifting gears or just driving down the road.
- Crankshaft seal life span: Like all good things, Mini Cooper crank seals are not made to last forever. It is recommended that you get your seal inspected and possibly replaced at 100,000
Do Not Wait to Get Help from an Auto Service
It’s never a good idea to simply let a car problem go. Always listen to signs that your car is having problems and get it fixed, even if it is something as unfamiliar as a crank seal oil leak. Although this problem may not seem serious at first, it can lead to significant issues down the road. If you lose too much oil, your engine will potentially lock up or overheat, and you will be forced to replace the entire engine rather than simply replacing your crank seal.
Ultimate European Repair
When the time comes when you need to service or replace the crank seal on your Mini, look no further than Ultimate European Repair. Serving the Goodyear, Buckeye, Avondale, Phoenix, and Peoria, AZ areas, Ultimate European Repair is Arizona’s leading European auto repair specialists. We service BMW, Mini, VW, and Audi brands. We are your one-stop shop for all your driving needs.
Since opening in 2016, Ultimate European Repair 
has become the leading and most trusted auto repair shops in the Phoenix/West Valley area. We have a hard-working and honest staff, and we also pledge every year to give back to our community in various ways. Call today or visit us online to make an appointment!
Posted in MINI Repair