How much oil can the stiffening plate hold?

[ProfessorX5]

The incident with the drain plug breaking and the resultant leak continues to irk me. Why, you ask? Because though the new plug isn't leaking, I'm either leaking from somewhere, or the plate still has oil in it.

There isn't much of a drip, just a few drops over the course of several hours from the pan in different places. I really don't want to take the plate off. Any ideas? Since I burn a little oil, it's hard to tell if I'm leaking from oil level. I seem to lose half a quart a month, which is a small price to pay for the fun of driving it.

Going to take the air box off over the weekend and see if it's the OFHG.

[MINIz guy]

There is foam above the plate. It may be absorbing some oil. Why not just get under the car yourself and take it off? It's only 6-8 bolts/nuts IIRC.

[bcredliner]

Removing the plate is easy. Since the oil leaks from the plate by removing it you will know if it is residual oil, and if not, you may be able to see where the oil is coming from.

[ProfessorX5]

Hmm... is it true the bolts are torque to yield? If so, i better buy new ones b4 i take it off.

[bcredliner]

Originally Posted by ProfessorX5

Hmm... is it true the bolts are torque to yield? If so, i better buy new ones b4 i take it off.

There is a set torque but it stretches the bolts so they should not be used again.

[bcredliner]

The torque should be 41ft/lbs and then tighten the bolt another 90 degrees.

[ProfessorX5]

Hmm, time to find new bolts then