This doesnt look good.. Oil where it shouldnt be on engine? PIX

[BigChiefSmokem]

This is the passenger side of the engine and while looking over the engine and checking fluid levels, etc, i came across these little indents with a metal rod sticking out of them that had puddles of what looked like oil in it on the valve covers. (i'm not mechanically inclined so i dont know what to call them) It had the consistency of oil and was brown. Had oil changed a few months ago and have only put about a thousand miles on car. Checked the oil and its actually above maximum on the dip stick, despite sitting overnight and all of today. There were no puddles of oil on the drivers side valve covers. Can anyone tell me what these are and why there would be oil puddles there?

 

[HoustonGT]

Maybe they spilled some oil there when filling it up since its right next to the oil filler cap. I would think if it was a consistent problem, you would eventually find some oil on the ground under you car if parked over night.
I'll bump this up for you so someone can help you out a bit more

 

[BigChiefSmokem]

Maybe they spilled some oil there when filling it up since its right next to the oil filler cap. I would think if it was a consistent problem, you would eventually find some oil on the ground under you car if parked over night.
I'll bump this up for you so someone can help you out a bit more

Right, I thought about them spilling oil, but the 2nd picture is of the one closest to the engine bay firewall, So unless they got all stupid with pouring the oil i dont see how it could've gotten on the one closest to the firewall.

ANy idea what those things are and do?

 

[Kilgore Trout]

Those are the studs/bolts that hold the valve cover on. Perhaps they have become a bit loose? Personally, I alos think oil was spilled and that is how it got there.

 

[BigChiefSmokem]

Yeah i cleaned out the puddles, we'll see if they come back or not, if so i'll tighten em down a bit and see if that helps. If not, on another board, someone mentioned under the valve cover bolts are grommets, maybe i need some new ones.

 

[Nater]

It's possible that oil spilled, but also a possibility the PCV valve was leaking while the car was running at some point. Check the area around that (which looks like an upside-down "L" and is under the rubber intake tube) and see if there is any trace of oil.

 

[USMC03GT]

From the looks of all the dirt and grit that has accumulated on the valve covers, the person changing the oil probably spilled oil over the valve covers when refilling after the change. This happens when they don't use a funnel. If I were you I'd find a different place to take your car or do it yourself. Just go to the parts store and get some simple green and wash down your motor and get all the oil and dirt out of there. Be sure to do this when the motor is cold. There are instructions in the owners manual of the areas not to get wet. I wouldn't worry about it too much though.

 

[FalconGuy016]

I hope that oil is that dirty because of the dirt on your engine- not because that's what it looked like when they put it in.

 

[ToplessStang]

I have trouble believing they spilled the oil all the way across the bank to the firewall. Seems like a leaking valve cover gasket.

Sometimes with minor oil leaks, it doesn't always end up leaking onto your driveway. It might slowly fall onto your exhaust manifold and get burned up. Smell any oil burning smell in the past???

I would also wash it up and keep an eye on it just to be sure. Also as Kilgore Trout mentioned, maybe just try retorquing the screw/studs that hold the valve cover.

 

[MAXX RS4]

I have the same issue with my car, but its not as bad. The bolt grommets are worn out and seep a little. If I soak up the oil, it fills back up in about 2 days. But if I leave it for weeks, it won't ever fill too far to spill over

To replace those grommets, it requires removing the valve covers. Removing the valve covers is quite a bit of work and will cost some money if you don't do it yourself.. I'm leaving mine alone because it's not worth it to me to spend all the time to change them out..

 

[helty]

i noticed the same thing a few weeks ago, just not as bad. Im going to clean them out an keep an eye on it. I change my own oral so I know it wasnt spilled. Plus its towards the rear of the engine. hmmm.....

 

[CRZYHRSGT]

I hope that oil is that dirty because of the dirt on your engine- not because that's what it looked like when they put it in.

It does look like old oil, not new oil that has collected dirt...thinking valve cover gasket...

 

[twogts4us]

NOT TO WORRY - I'd almost guarantee it's just the PCV valve. Had the exact same problem with mine (the 02). I was going to replace the valve, but, upon closer inspection, it was fine. But I did find that the hose leading to it was not as tight as I thought it should be - so I put a small hose clamp on it, problem solved. It still can leak a little oil around the PCV, but not puddles like you have here. I had the same puddles (and smoke!) before I put the clamp on. You could also replace the hose itself. Mine had just been stretched a little bit too much.

 

[SLY GT]

Had the same thing. You need to clamp the hose to the pcv valve. It is leaking.

 

[Mike97gt]

check the valve cover gasket and also take a good look at your pcv system. make sure you don't have a ton of oil being sucked up by the pcv.

 

[stangGT97]

check the valve cover gasket and also take a good look at your pcv system. make sure you don't have a ton of oil being sucked up by the pcv.

Mike, what can cause excess oil to be sucked up by the PCV? mine seems like its doing that lately. I also think I may have too much oil in the motor

 

[Mike97gt]

Mike, what can cause excess oil to be sucked up by the PCV? mine seems like its doing that lately. I also think I may have too much oil in the motor

a few things can cause this. a pcv valve sticking open slightly under high vacumm condtions can suck up oil along with crankcase gasses. I would start by repalcing the PCV valve and clean the tubes out. recheck in a 1000 miles and see if it has improved.

 

[ADRENLN]

i also get the oil pooling up in the valve covers on the pass side. i thought it was the pvc and clamped it, but it is still happening.

it is not too bad so i am also going to leave it unless it gets worse.

i also was told it could be the gromets or the valve cover gasket. just keep an eye on your oil.

 

[GREYFOX4INCH]

i bet it came from inside the motor one way or another. otherwise why would the oil be black?