edhu

Hi, just picked up the car a week ago and just doing a bit of cleaning. While under the hood/bonnet I noticed all this oil that can be seen in the pics.

Should I be worried? The car is going in for a service on Monday anyways but I was wondering if there is anything I need to make them aware of.

Thanks

shotgun_banjo

That looks like a leak somewhere. Make sure to have them look at that. If it was a CPO car it should not be that dirty. If you bought it from someone I do hope you still have factory warranty on it as if it is an oil leak it will burn your wallet a bit to fix it.

ptcruiser

Have the engine cleaned first.
A good degreaser and a DIY car wash sprayer will clean the crap off.
Just watch it for a week and see what happens.
Are you losing any oil on the dip stick reading?
Check it daily and see.

edhu

Hi,

Thanks for the response and suggestion. I just got the car so I don't know if I'm losing any oil. I also just got the oil changed so I'll check it in a week and see how it goes, along with that engine cleaning.

ptcruiser

Let us know what you find. I doubt it will be critical.
Some gaskets just harden up over time, and you may see some oil gathering again, but hardly anything to lose sleep over.
Check the dip stick at least 3 times a week.It's a 2 minute job.

mickey13

I don't see any wet oil? Maybe my eyes are bad lol.

Look for stains where you park, put some cardboard under to track it.

edhu

I've been away for work for a few months and came back to a dead battery even though it was on a trickle charge.

Jumped the battery and it started fine but there was a lot of smoke from the engine. Popped the hood and I need to get that engine cleaned!

Looking for a reputable place in Northern NJ.

Here's a of what it looks like in there

ptcruiser

Is the "ticking " noise from the exhaust? Don't like the sound of it.
The oil burning off indicates you need some seals/gaskets replaced.
How much oil do you use between changes?
Can you rent a high power spray washer close by?
If you can (without someone reporting you to the EPA for polluting the drains in the neighborhood), then there are many degreaser products at your local auto supply company.
Run up the engine to warm, and spray it down. Let it sit for about an hour, and then hit it with the sprayer.
It may take 2 or 3 full applications to remove baked on grease.

edhu

The ticking noise sounds like it's coming from the driver side somewhere. Not sure exactly where.

The overnight trickle charge seems to be working. Think it got loose before and stopped charging while I was away. But this morning the dash lights are back to normal. And the battery is at 9.0 so slowly but surely it is coming back to life.

I washed/degreased the engine bay this morning and it looks like this

Will wait for it to dry before starting her back up

ptcruiser

Looks a lot better.
The ticking sounds like a lifter, and that should be looked at.
There are additives, but not recommended, at least that is what I understand. Some people recommend trying some CD2 from the auto parts stores, and also running 100% synthetic oil. Mobil 1 is supposed to be the best, but it ain't cheap.
Regardless, get it checked if you are not really mechanically inclined.

cm60k

Could be a bad head breather gasket or cover gasket..!

ZAYED,,

edhu

Since I'm no good at these things, I will have to take it in and have it looked at.
Thank you for all the help.

Also, is the car started after a few hours of drying.

I also had to get the car to pass inspection since it was due while I was away. Unfortunately I didn't drive the car enough and failed do to the cats and O2 sensors not being ready. Will have to drive it some more and get it done again. ARGH! And I only have a week to do all of this before I have to leave for work again.

edhu

OK, so the car's been driven for about 2 weeks and no signs of oil leakage under the car or where I cleaned in the engine bay. Checked the oil and it's still as full as when it was changed a few months ago.

I'm not expert but I'm going to take that as a win.

Also, it passed inspection after having driven it for those two weeks to let the computer get a few readings.

153k and she seems good! Now to finish fixing the rust.