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!