Risks of Ignoring a Crank Seal Oil Leak in Your Mini

Posted on | 20 Jun 2024 By Anita Gaal

Are you seeing oil stains near your Mini and wondering if it is something to be worried about? Well, you should, regardless of where the leak is coming from. If the source of that leak is the crank seal, ignoring it will lead to serious consequences. Below are some of the consequences of not fixing a leak from the crank seal and where you should go to fix this problem in your Mini.

How Crankshaft Seal Works

The crank seal, sometimes called the crankshaft seal, is one of the essential parts of your Mini’s engine. It is located both at the front and rear of the crankshaft and it helps to seal the oil or stop it from leaking out of the engine. This seal also helps to keep the oil safe from dust out and other particles allowing the engine’s moving parts to glide over each other with minimal friction. With time, the seal can become weak, crack, or get damaged and this leads to oil leakage.

Signs That You Have a Crank Seal Leak

One of the easiest ways to identify a leaking crank seal is by checking for stains of oil in the vicinity of your Mini; such leaks normally happen at the front or the rear of the engine. If you often have to add oil to your Mini this may be another indication of an oil leak. Checking your oil level occasionally can also help you detect if your car is leaking oil or not. Sometimes, an oil leak can be spotted when it gives a burning smell after touching hot parts of the engine.

Consequences of Overlooking a Crank Seal Leak

• Engine Damage: If a crank seal has a leak and is left unattended, then the oil level will deplete due to the leakage and this will lead to an increase in friction and overheating. This can further result in serious damage to the engine in which case you might have to do a total overhaul of the engine.
• Reduced Performance: When the level of oil in an engine is low, it will not be able to operate at the optimal level. You may notice that the engine power is low, acceleration is slow, and fuel economy is affected.
• Increased Repair Costs: The longer you turn a blind eye to an oil leak, the worse the situation becomes. While a seal replacement may appear to be a straightforward job, it can become complicated if you have ignored the problem for so long. The possibility of having other parts like belts and hoses damaged because they were soaked in oil for too long increases.
• Safety Hazards: Oil spills can make the ground slippery so it is very dangerous to you and other road users. It is important that your Mini is leak-free to avoid jeopardizing road safety.

How To Stop Leaks In Crank Seal

• Identify the Source: The first thing that one should do when he or she realizes that there is an oil leak is to try and locate the source of the problem. A competent mechanic will be in a good position to diagnose and pinpoint the area of the leak before repair is done.
• Replace Seal: After the source of the leak has been found, one will have to change the crank seal. This means pulling out parts around the crankshaft to get to the seal. To increase the lifespan of the seal it is important to use high-quality parts.
• Check for Additional Damage: When making the repair it is advisable to assess if there is any other damage that the leak may have caused. This also involves checking on the belts, hoses, and other parts of the engine which could be damaged by the leaking oil.
• Preventive Maintenance: Once the leakage problem has been solved, routine maintenance should be conducted to avoid a repeat of such a problem. This involves things like oil level and seal inspections.

Schedule A Mini Inspection With The Expert Mechanics in Dallas

Here at Euro Automotive, we have a team of experienced technicians who can help to diagnose the reason your Mini is having oil leak issues and fix them to keep your engine safe. Our company is based in Dallas, TX, so we can offer professional service to drivers from nearby places like Arlington, Garland, and Fort Worth, TX. If you have any reason to believe that your Mini has a crank seal leak, then it is best that you do not wait until it gets worse. Book your next service with us now.