A crank seal oil leak is not a new phenomenon, especially with a brand like Mini. The crank seal shaft is a circular component made of rubber and metal that is mounted on the front of the engine at the end of the crankshaft. It constantly sloshes oil around. This seal is in charge of keeping debris, dust, and dirt out of the engine as well as holding the oil.
Mini Coopers, like any precisely designed car, are not without flaws. A crank seal oil leak is one of the most common small problems and an oil leak, as the name implies, is the most common sign that your vehicle’s crank seal is failing.
The following are possible reasons why your Mini’s crank seal may be experiencing an oil leak
Weather Conditions
The failure of a crank seal can be caused by the weather, and because the seal is made of rubber or silicon, it is prone to failure, particularly if you reside somewhere with extreme temperatures.
This is something to think about when buying a Mini, but regular maintenance and checkups can help maintain your car in good shape. A mechanic will be able to tell you whether your crank seal needs to be replaced.
Mileage
Mileage is another factor that can cause your crank seal to break. The longer your vehicle has been on the road, the more probable your crank seal will fail. Most parts on your car have a suggested service life after which you may choose what has to be replaced and what can be left alone.
Stalled Servicing
The issue with an oil leak in the crankshaft seal is that it could be a small leak. If the leak is tiny, it may take some time for you to notice, to the extent of stalling the time for servicing, thereby causing further potential damage to your vehicle.
Self Servicing
Installing a crank seal on your own is never a good idea. The crank seal can easily leak oil if done wrong. To eliminate oil leaks, have only professionals install a new crank seal on your car. If you aren’t familiar with the procedure, it’s likely that you would install the crank seal incorrectly because it’s hidden by belts, the crankshaft pulley, and the harmonic balancer.
Effect of Crack Seal Oil Leaks in your Mini
Damages to several other car components: Oil leaks can cause serious damage to your vehicle’s engine, radiator, and HVAC system, in addition to having a negative influence on the environment. The rubber hoses and seals used in these components can be degraded by accumulated oil, causing them to wear out prematurely.
Fire and safety risk: You or others could be hurt if oil from a leak catches fire, or if the engine seizes and fails while you’re driving.
Seized Engine: A seized engine causes repairable damage at best. Other times, the damage is severe enough that the engine needs to be replaced.
Over time, the most common method of repairing oil leaks was to disassemble your engine and replace the leaky gasket or seal. A gasket seals two stationary things in your engine and is commonly composed of paper, cork, or rubber to keep oil where it belongs. This is true of valve covers, timing covers, and the oil pan, among other components.
Seals, on the other hand, are located at the ends of shafts and prevent oil from leaking past them as they spin. Every shaft in your engine, such as the crankshaft and camshaft, is supported by bearings that must be maintained with pressurized oil to avoid premature wear. This lubrication oil must be kept within your vehicle’s engine.
Save Yourself the Hassle
To save you the hassle of replacing the seal and cleaning your engine, Turning Wrenches offers great services for auto repair and service. We endeavor to make your experience as smooth as possible and devoid of stress. Your safety, the safety of your passengers, and the safety of your vehicle are our top priorities. As a result, we take all essential precautions to ensure your car stays in top condition. We are located in Louisville, KY and proudly serve the nearby communities. Schedule an appointment with us online or give us a call today!
The check engine light didn’t come into existence until 1996 when the federal government required an on-board vehicle diagnostics system for all new vehicles sold in the United States. One of the most important lights on the dashboard is the Check Engine Light (CEL).
The check engine light of your Mercedes is either amber or yellow colour and it represents the engine’s health. It is an integral part of your vehicle’s computer’s onboard diagnostics system. If the light refuses to go off after a few seconds of starting your car, then it means something is off with the performance of your engine. When you notice that the light remains on or is blinking, you should be proactive and consult a professional mechanic to inspect your vehicle to find the root cause of the problem.
There are several reasons why your check engine will stay illuminated. Let’s take a brief look at some of the reasons responsible for the illumination of your check engine light.
Sagging gas cap: The gas cap of your Mercedes plays a vital role in maintaining pressure in the engine and preventing fuel vapour leakage. Hence, your check engine light will come on if your car’s gas cap is not tightened. Loosen the gas cap entirely and screw it again, but this time, securely. If not, the overall performance of your vehicle will reduce and your engine may begin to misfire due to improper fuel ratios.
Contaminated oxygen sensors: Suppose the oxygen sensor of your Mercedes becomes contaminated with ash and dust. In that case, it reduces its efficiency, which will lead to a drastic reduction in gas mileage and an increase in gas emissions.
Dirty or faulty mass airflow sensor: The function of the mass airflow sensor is to alert the computer of your Mercedes of the amount of fuel needed compared to the amount of air entering the engine. When it becomes faulty or covered in dust, it increases gas emissions from your car’s engine, causing the check engine light to illuminate.
Faulty spark plugs: Spark plugs wear and tear over time. If they start failing, misfires will occur, and the check engine light will come on to alert you.
Dead battery: The battery of your Mercedes is the primary power source for many of your electrical components. When your alternator becomes defective or fails, the battery will not get enough charge and may cause the battery to run down. The low charge will cause the check engine light to illuminate.
Faulty catalytic converter: The catalytic converter of your Mercedes functions as a gas converter. It reduces exhaust fumes by converting carbon monoxide and other harmful gases into harmless gases. If it fails, your car will fail its emission test, and your check engine light will come on.
What to do if your check engine light stays on
First, never ignore any warning indicator on your dashboard. When you bought your vehicle, hopefully you flipped through your owner’s manual to discover what each indicator on the dashboard means. Study it thoroughly to have a good understanding. However, if you notice the check engine light of your vehicle has remained on, here are few things you can do before taking it to the mechanic:
Check the gauges and other lights of your Mercedes for other signs.
Drive at a slower speed and reduce vehicle load to reduce engine demand.
Tighten gas caps and check if your check engine light will reset itself. If it doesn’t, call the attention of a mechanic immediately.
Have your check engine lights diagnosed at Turning Wrenches
At Turning Wrenches, we are passionate about ensuring that European cars get nothing less than high-quality services. All our mechanics are ASE-certified with decades of experience in repairing any fault in your Mercedes. We employ only state-of-the-art tools for our repairs. By the time we are done with your repairs and maintenance, you’ll be confident of getting it back on the road safely. Call or visit our repair shop to make an appointment with our professionals.
cleaning your engine, Turning Wrenches offers great services for auto repair and service. We endeavor to make your experience as smooth as possible and devoid of stress. Your safety, the safety of your passengers, and the safety of your vehicle are our top priorities. As a result, we take all essential precautions to ensure your car stays in top condition. We are located in Louisville, KY and proudly serve the nearby communities. Schedule an appointment with us online or give us a call today!
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