Classic mini oil leak

Oil Leaks can be a real pain to detect at times the most common Oil leaks I found on the classic mini are as follows, below I will go through them individually.

Firstly the obvious engine oil leak I found was the sump plug this one was an easy fix, a new copper washer had solved the problem. If you find the sump plug head or edges are worn just replace this for a new complete plug.

The most renowned oil leaks on any classic mini has to be the drive shafts oil seals followed by the gearbox selector rod shaft seal. They are not the easiest parts to fit  therefore you need to get Quality parts that will last, you can get them or see what they look like Click Here

Note : You Donnot Have To remove the engine Gearbox to carry-out the oil seal repairs this can be easily carried out from below.  

(This is my own Full Restoration project ).

If your doing a full restoration job before fitting back the drive shafts its always best to fit new oil seals to either end of the Gear box as above, also don't forget the gear box selector oil seal  these are renowned for leaks. This is a fairly difficult job removing the selector shaft, there is a metal guard partly bolted on the exhaust and covers the selector shaft, you must remove this plate first, this gives good access to the roll pin which must be hammered through in order to release the gearbox selector shaft, this is where the oil seal sits.
 

The selector shaft has to be removed at the beginning of removal of the engine so its wise to remove all the old oil seals whilst the engine /gearbox is out refitting the new complete seals.



The two bigger drive shaft oil seals on either side of the gearbox will easily pop out, its the gear selector rod that's tricky. the best way of removing this is to drill a small hole into the Aluminium part then a small self tapper can be screwed into the edge. See below... you are then easily able to pull the old seal out.

Gearbox Selector Oil Seal

Make sure if your buying the selector rod seals you get the whole kit  click the link

Thease are top Quality and will last.

I drilled a small hole into the aluminium seal and used a self tapper screw to pull the old seal out.

So to be clear its best to get the seals sorted before going any further with the restoration.
 

The other common oil leaks-seals to watch out for are the timing-cover, crank shaft pulley, rocker cover gasket,oil sensor switch, oil pick-up pipe from oil filter into engine, Ignition distributor, more serious is a slipping clutch with leaking oil will indicate primary gear oil seal.

 Very Important also to replace the Correct Mineral Oil 20W/50 Classic oil see it here.

As the engine and gear box is obviously combined .. it uses the same oil.