Is this a leaking OFHG?

[mackeroni]

At 56,000 miles, the top of my OFHG is starting to shimmer and collect some dirt. Is this an indication that it is starting to leak? It has looked like this for awhile. I am thinking I should just wipe it clean and see how fast it comes back.

Opinions?

[Matticus91]

It could be but it's hard to tell in that spot since it's very easy for oil to end up there during a filter change. I'd suggest spraying it down and wiping up any residue and see if it comes back. However you should definitely check the lower areas around the front of the engine, that's where you'll notice a real leak.

[HyeWarrior]

Clean and check it 2 weeks later

[ShocknAwe]

It's definitely oil residue. Clean it up and watch. Pay special attention to the grooves between the filter and cooler housings and the engine proper where the gaskets are as it'll show up there first. Hard to see oil down the front of the block until its been going for a long time or a severe leak. If it is severe, check your coolant for oil.

[olds350]

Check the side of the block near the OFH, that's where you're going to get the oil seepage.

[vinylengraver]

Mine looked like this when I first got the car. Which was odd, as the engine was otherwise spotless.
So I cleaned it up and it is still clean 6 months later.
I am pretty sure some oil dripped from the filter when it was changed before sale and they simply did not bother tidying up afterwards.

[mr.fabulous]

I don't think so, Mac. Drop the front splash shield and inspect. Oil flows like anything else and gravity will find it. I let the OFHG on my M42 E36 go way too long (lazy) and eventually there was oil everywhere.

{ 5min passes while I go to my garage to inspect mine }

Mine looks exactly the same. Huh. And so maybe. I've cleaned mine up and will check again when I change my oil in a month or two.

[mackeroni]

Thanks all around for the comments. I have cleaned up the area with rags and a handful of Q-tips. We shall see if the evil oil tries to escape again... bwahahahaha!

[Dackelone]

Buy a can or two of brake cleaner... and hose down that area. Looks like residue from past oil changes. The OFHG will leak oil down bellow that area, down the head and block and into the belly pan. You might want to remove the belly pan and clean that too IF there is a lot of oil down there. ? I don't think your OFHG is bad.

Dackel

[ShocknAwe]

Originally Posted by mr.fabulous

I don't think so, Mac. Drop the front splash shield and inspect. Oil flows like anything else and gravity will find it. I let the OFHG on my M42 E36 go way too long (lazy) and eventually there was oil everywhere.

{ 5min passes while I go to my garage to inspect mine }

Mine looks exactly the same. Huh. And so maybe. I've cleaned mine up and will check again when I change my oil in a month or two.

Not true at all. When mine went I had leaks from both housing and cooler gaskets and despite coating the front of the block, not a single drop made it to the belly pan.

Regardless, everyone is right, best bet is to watch. Not gonna grenade your engine by waiting and seeing on this one.

[MontegoCoupe]

My oil filter will seep around the cap sometimes. It seems that after about 5K the big o-ring on the oil cap will get hard (heat related I think) and then a thin film of oil will run down the side of the housing. So thin when it's hot you can barely see it. So it could be that simple.
Look behind and below the housing for oil on the side of the engine block. Mine puddled in a spot just above the oil pan rail. Also made mess on front of engine and belts. Wasn't too difficult to change, but I don't have your oil cooler.

[JM98]

Originally Posted by mackeroni

At 56,000 miles, the top of my OFHG is starting to shimmer and collect some dirt. Is this an indication that it is starting to leak? It has looked like this for awhile. I am thinking I should just wipe it clean and see how fast it comes back.

Opinions?

Probably just spillage from oil changes. Clean it and watch. When my OFHG was bad it was dropping oil on the pavement nightly and there was a pool of oil on my under tray.

[mackeroni]

Originally Posted by JM98

Probably just spillage from oil changes. Clean it and watch. When my OFHG was bad it was dropping oil on the pavement nightly and there was a pool of oil on my under tray.

Thanks. I will watch diligently. At what mileage did you notice your OFHG was leaking?

Mack

[JM98]

Originally Posted by mackeroni

Thanks. I will watch diligently. At what mileage did you notice your OFHG was leaking?

Mack

at 72,000 it was pouring oil like crazy. think it has more to do with age than mileage though, my car is an 09