Sticky oily residue in the engine bay(oil leak?)

doublevanosrc · 06-13-2017, 08:49 PM

So I washed my engine a few weeks ago and today i popped the hood today and noticed a sticky oil film all over the plastic parts like the engine cover and coolant tank. I checked for oil leaks and couldn't find any it seems the film is on the top side only. Oil level is the same level as always and everything seems normal aside from this residue.

Thoughts?

N55 53k miles.

Yeineken · 06-14-2017, 04:59 AM

I think the substance being on the expansion tank and engine cover points to a cracked or leaking expansion tank that is making a mess once the system builds up pressure.

Dackelone · 06-14-2017, 05:19 AM

Sounds like a boost leak when you get on it. Maybe pull the deco valve cover and look closely around the real valve cover. The valve cover often develops cracks.

desertman123 · 06-14-2017, 10:29 AM

Have you had your car serviced lately?

When I bought my car they "detailed" the engine bay AKA sprayed tire shine all over it and it just looked like an oil leak rather than looking good.

doublevanosrc · 06-14-2017, 11:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by desertman123

Have you had your car serviced lately?

When I bought my car they "detailed" the engine bay AKA sprayed tire shine all over it and it just looked like an oil leak rather than looking good.

Funny that you mentioned that, when I washed my engine a couple of weeks ago I did finish it off with some Gunk Engine shine spray to make it shiny. Maybe it's that.

MightyMouseTech · 06-14-2017, 12:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by doublevanosrc

Funny that you mentioned that, when I washed my engine a couple of weeks ago I did finish it off with some Gunk Engine shine spray to make it shiny. Maybe it's that.

Most likely.

dsocold · 06-14-2017, 12:30 PM

i once had a thin oil mist look over my enging by plastics and all that and it eneded up being a transmission oil leak.

Esteban · 06-14-2017, 12:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by doublevanosrc

Quote:

Originally Posted by desertman123

Have you had your car serviced lately?

When I bought my car they "detailed" the engine bay AKA sprayed tire shine all over it and it just looked like an oil leak rather than looking good.

Funny that you mentioned that, when I washed my engine a couple of weeks ago I did finish it off with some Gunk Engine shine spray to make it shiny. Maybe it's that.

I've used ONR on the plastics in the engine bay with pretty good results.

Here's a pic. Was in the garage so not the best light:

doublevanosrc · 06-14-2017, 01:10 PM

Would low coolant meant anything?? It was well below the MIN level.

MightyMouseTech · 06-14-2017, 01:37 PM

Usually coolant dries pretty quick and leaves a white, chalky residue.

doublevanosrc · 06-14-2017, 01:42 PM

Going to wipe it down and see if it happens again, will not use engine shine this time.

06-13-2017, 08:49 PM	#1
doublevanosrc Loves his G20 265 Rep 2,507 Posts Drives: 2020 330ix M sport Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Austin. Tx iTrader: (1) Garage List 2013 BMW [0.00]	Sticky oily residue in the engine bay(oil leak?) So I washed my engine a few weeks ago and today i popped the hood today and noticed a sticky oil film all over the plastic parts like the engine cover and coolant tank. I checked for oil leaks and couldn't find any it seems the film is on the top side only. Oil level is the same level as always and everything seems normal aside from this residue. Thoughts? N55 53k miles. __________________ 2020 330ix-Msport Past- 2013 135i 2011 135i
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06-14-2017, 04:59 AM	#2
Yeineken Colonel 1301 Rep 2,093 Posts Drives: '11 135i M Sport Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Delmarva Peninsula iTrader: (3) Garage List '11 135i [8.20] '16 Ford Hatchback [0.00] '15 X5 [10.00]	I think the substance being on the expansion tank and engine cover points to a cracked or leaking expansion tank that is making a mess once the system builds up pressure. __________________ Pyrat Clone
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06-14-2017, 05:19 AM	#3
Dackelone European Editor 10589 Rep 22,992 Posts Drives: N54 e82 Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Bayern, Germany iTrader: (1)	Sounds like a boost leak when you get on it. Maybe pull the deco valve cover and look closely around the real valve cover. The valve cover often develops cracks. __________________ Dackel's European Delivery Museum Guide
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06-14-2017, 10:29 AM	#4
desertman123 E82 Mudflap Ambassador 2214 Rep 2,219 Posts Drives: '08 128i Join Date: May 2016 Location: Orlando, FL iTrader: (0) Garage List 1992 Honda Beat [9.50] 2008 BMW 128i [10.00] 2014 BMW 528i [10.00]	Have you had your car serviced lately? When I bought my car they "detailed" the engine bay AKA sprayed tire shine all over it and it just looked like an oil leak rather than looking good.
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06-14-2017, 12:30 PM	#7
dsocold Captain 198 Rep 684 Posts Drives: f06 640i GC. E82 N54 135i Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: new york iTrader: (0)	i once had a thin oil mist look over my enging by plastics and all that and it eneded up being a transmission oil leak.
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06-14-2017, 01:10 PM	#9
doublevanosrc Loves his G20 265 Rep 2,507 Posts Drives: 2020 330ix M sport Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Austin. Tx iTrader: (1) Garage List 2013 BMW [0.00]	Would low coolant meant anything?? It was well below the MIN level. __________________ 2020 330ix-Msport Past- 2013 135i 2011 135i
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06-14-2017, 01:37 PM	#10
MightyMouseTech Major General 4338 Rep 6,196 Posts Drives: 13 135i 6MT LeMans Blue MSport Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Ottawa, Canada iTrader: (0)	Usually coolant dries pretty quick and leaves a white, chalky residue.
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06-14-2017, 01:42 PM	#11
doublevanosrc Loves his G20 265 Rep 2,507 Posts Drives: 2020 330ix M sport Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Austin. Tx iTrader: (1) Garage List 2013 BMW [0.00]	Going to wipe it down and see if it happens again, will not use engine shine this time. __________________ 2020 330ix-Msport Past- 2013 135i 2011 135i
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