Looks like I'm in a bit of trouble. Topping up the water today and noticed oil residue under the cap. The oil level is ok and isn't chewing up any more than usual, but there has been a slight squeal from the engine under load. My guess is a head gasket leak but can anyone shed any light on the matter?

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Start with the easy posible ones first, check the fan belt for tension and condition

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Roundies and Clubbies(except vans) are both ugly that is why I have Midas and a van
1293 Mini Midas Bronze,1275 Clubman van

i thought with the thread title it would have been about Binis and their cornering and engine characteristics!

start with the fanbelt, but head gasket isnt so hard to fix

You may need a PIG welder... there is one mentioned in the For Sale section.

squeeling like a pig???? maybe Burt reynolds is trapped under the bonnet with a bung eyed banjo playing hilbilly

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No longer Ms Westwoods mini outside her original kings road shop

Dude with comments like that it proves you are way to old

i resemble that remark

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No longer Ms Westwoods mini outside her original kings road shop

this thread =

I dare say it'd be the head gasket. However, i owned a mini for 8 months, and i drove this car to work everyday. For all but one day of those months, with a blown head gasket. I just ignored the oily residue on the cap. Mind you, i just ignored evrything on this particular car It would miss a couple of beats on first startup, but no worries after that. (it eventually died of terminal gearbox issues, not the head)

To check intake gasket, spray some WD or similar onto the gasket face whilst its running, when the revs rise, you know its leaking

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Cheap, Fast, Reliable. Choose two.

Thats good advice

**adds WD40 can to collection of 'just-in-case' tools for Mini boot**

oh, wd40 is a necessity.. need it for incase your dizzy gets wet etc.