Oily engine compartment

hawkeye93 · July 07, 2016, 11:29:13 AM

Since I drove my Explorer off the lot, my engine compartment has been covered with a dirty, oily grime. It's on the engine cover, battery, master cylinder, etc. Even after I clean it, it returns quickly. This is my first turbo vehicle. Is this normal for a turbo motor? Could it be indicative of a boost leak? I'm aware of the blow by associated with turbos, but I'm surprised by the amount of oil outside the system. Would a catch can help?

ZSHO · July 07, 2016, 11:39:43 AM

It certainly not normal IMHO....did you check the oil dipstick to make sure its properly seated...any visible signs of OIL inside the Hood Cover? please post some pic's if possible. Z

sholxgt · July 07, 2016, 05:25:44 PM

In my case, I found the leak as soon as I pulled of that cover and removed a coil. Had a total of 3 leaking plug wells. Two in front and one in the rear.

Once those were fixed by the dealer, I haven't had any signs of residue. It now stays looking like this...

SHOdded · July 07, 2016, 06:45:54 PM

If there is a leak in plug well 3 (driver side rear bank), and it is spraying out, that could indeed explain the mess described by OP. Sniff test might help pinpoint exactly what kind of oil it is - motor, trans, PTU, PAG, ...

on the super clean engine bay, sholxgt!

hawkeye93 · July 08, 2016, 06:50:09 AM

I tried taking pics, but with my phone camera, all you see is the dust/dirt, no oil itself. In my original description, I probably oversold the residue as being oily, with the dust/dirt, it's actually a bit sticky. Kind of reminds me of cosmoline, like you'd find on the barrel of a new gun. I'll look for leaking plug wells as has been suggested. Thanks.

L1gerZero · July 08, 2016, 05:02:36 PM

Best thing for you to do is thoroughly clean the bay. Drive it a little while, maybe a day or two, then check again. It will be easier to pinpoint where it is coming from when its fresh and hasnt been cycled through the entire bay repeatedly. I have a post here from a few months ago that shows what a leaky plug well can look like when its been there for a while.

ZSHO · July 08, 2016, 10:46:28 PM

I guess checking under the Hood cover is out of the question as posted above....sure isolated many of my other cars that way....ooooh well best of luck to ya . Z

hawkeye93 · July 09, 2016, 01:18:56 PM

Don't know if you mean the plastic engine cover, or the fiberboard insulation attached to the hood. Either way, no oil underneath. Makes me wonder about a boost leak. I'm going to check the plug wells, then do a thorough cleaning, and keep an eye on it.

Oh, and oil dipstick is securely seated.

ZSHO · July 09, 2016, 01:32:28 PM

Quote from: hawkeye93 on July 09, 2016, 01:18:56 PM
Don't know if you mean the plastic engine cover, or the fiberboard insulation attached to the hood. Either way, no oil underneath. Makes me wonder about a boost leak. I'm going to check the plug wells, then do a thorough cleaning, and keep an eye on it.

Oh, and oil dipstick is securely seated.

Definitely check the gray insulation attached to the hood for any such oil residue on it considering your vehicle in fairly new.....if so it would give you a rough idea on its location and the Severity of the leak. Z

ZSHO · July 09, 2016, 01:55:33 PM

Did you check your brake fluid reservoir to make sure its full!!! it could be your master cylinder leaking....brake booster,check valve,looks like Brake fluid residue IMO. Z

glock-coma · July 09, 2016, 03:40:42 PM

Actually looks like sand, is your lower engine cover in place?

SHOdded · July 09, 2016, 05:54:54 PM

What is that "blue wire" running behind the brake reservoir BTW, clipped to a hose?

hawkeye93 · July 10, 2016, 09:21:39 AM

Quote from: glock-coma on July 09, 2016, 03:40:42 PM
Actually looks like sand, is your lower engine cover in place?

Not aware of any lower engine cover, just the air diverter for the PTU. The thing you need to remove to change the oil. Yes, it's there.

The blue wire is the FRP connection for my Snow stage 3 meth system. Not completely installed yet, but I did tap the FRP at the ECU. It's placement is only temporary. I'm probably going to reroute that blue wire under the cowl to the left side, then come out through a grommet (new hole) in the cowl wall.

hawkeye93 · July 10, 2016, 09:24:34 AM

Quote from: ZSHO on July 09, 2016, 01:55:33 PM
Did you check your brake fluid reservoir to make sure its full!!! it could be your master cylinder leaking....brake booster,check valve,looks like Brake fluid residue IMO. Z

Great thought, I will check.

Update: Looks like ZSHO might be right about the brake fluid. The fluid is a little low. Not super low, but below the line. I'm going to top it off & clean everything. If/when it returns, I'll have the dealer check it out. Still have 16K left on my warranty.

ZSHO · July 30, 2016, 07:42:30 AM

Sorry to restore this thread again but also noticed this very fine light oily mist spreading throughout the engine bay the other day on my car and even on the fans and certainly could not get a good night sleep worrying RED and the engine bay would be dirty,lol.and also thinking on how to troubleshoot this issue and finding the underlying cause of the problem......will have an UPDATE SOON but its something associated with the(A/C pressure lines)shooting out this fine oily mist in conjunction with the FAN'S being ON and also having intermittent issues with the A/C not being cold enough in the past month or so..... STAY TUNED and think a DIY is in the AIR,LOL. Z