Chronic problem of burnt oil stink in car, especially when running hot or at a stop light. Cause has been explained as being from valve cover gasket to cylinder head gasket, but multiple repairs never fixes the stink. Found out today about the oil filter housing gasket problem caused by close proximity to down flowing section of exhaust manifold heating the housing too much and baking the gasket. Leaking gasket spills oil out onto exhaust collector below and also allows coolant water incorporated into housing to flow into engine oil. Who designs these born to fail systems?? After paying over $1,600 trying to fix those minor leaks from valve cover and other places, now must pay another $1,200-1,600 to replace oil filter adapter housing gasket.
Best part is that in order to do this, the front end of the car has to be taken apart to reach this part. At 78K miles, I hear that the catalytic converter will give out soon, so add another $680 to that bill while it's all apart. My repair receipt folder is over 4 inches thick. It never ends until death do you part.
Looking to buy a used Mini? Best to also find a nice tall bridge to jump from when it breaks down to go along with your new/used Mini Cooper.
Chronic problem of burnt oil stink in car, especially when running hot or at a stop light. Cause has been explained as being from valve cover gasket to cylinder head gasket, but multiple repairs never fixes the stink. Found out today about the oil filter housing gasket problem caused by close proximity to down flowing section of exhaust manifold heating the housing too much and baking the gasket. Leaking gasket spills oil out onto exhaust collector below and also allows coolant water incorporated into housing to flow into engine oil. Who designs these born to fail systems?? After paying over $1,600 trying to fix those minor leaks from valve cover and other places, now must pay another $1,200-1,600 to replace oil filter adapter housing gasket.
Best part is that in order to do this, the front end of the car has to be taken apart to reach this part. At 78K miles, I hear that the catalytic converter will give out soon, so add another $680 to that bill while it's all apart. My repair receipt folder is over 4 inches thick. It never ends until death do you part.
Looking to buy a used Mini? Best to also find a nice tall bridge to jump from when it breaks down to go along with your new/used Mini Cooper.
- Richard H., Bellevue, WA, US