Oil drops on pulleys? Where'd they come from?
 

Hi guys!


So, been driving for past 2 days for about 40-60 miles at 55mph.

I been noticing oil on my pulley covers. One in front of alt and one next to oil filter.

https://scontent-ord1-1.xx.fbcdn.net...9c&oe=57386412

https://scontent-ord1-1.xx.fbcdn.net...ea&oe=5724084E


I believe it may be a timing chain cover leak from the bottom [hidden] part or lose [gasket?] oil filter.

Anyone else have something/an experience like this?

Funny, I never noticed it util after washing the engine bay... hmmm Last oil change was from dealer... We all know how 'good' most dealers are... fuh.

NO puddle under car, not even a few drops. Oil level is right where it should be perfect at the 2nd hole on the stick. I thought just now that maybe the oil may have hit belt and brought up, but if so, then i'd have a bigger 'splash' zone. Because of this, I'm thinking it's the oil filter. Will check tomorrow. That sonofa is hot right now!


@RustySocket

Thanks again for the TRD intake!

I had the same thing but it ended up being the oil dipstick flopping around sometimes while checking it. The oil is very thin so it can go flying.

Oh, my ...... @Packofcrows ...... hmmmmm

Are these drops on the top/side/underneath the pulley covers .. ??

Any oil on the underside of the hood .. ??

Maybe they have been there and you just noticed them because you cleaned up the engine bay .. ??

Are you sure they are oil and not coolant or condensation .. ??

Yep, you might try to give the oil filter a twist.

I'd suggest you just clean them off and see if they return.


humfrz

https://scontent-ord1-1.xx.fbcdn.net...6a&oe=5769DCFF
@humfrz

Found on top. I edited brightness/contrast on photoshop to better show the oil drop.
@stevesnj hmmmm maybe it is from the dipstick. Going to tighten the oil filter (if loose) tomorrow and then go drive it a tad hard to see if it drips.

Hope it's not the notorious F'n chain cover!!! Seems clean.

Well now, @Packofcrows ....... thanks for the "enlightened" picture with circles and arrows and LARGE PRINT.

Makes it easier for us old folks to see ......:eyebulge:

OK, I went out and looked over my car's engine.

First off, I don't see how any oil that would be coming out of a leaking timing chain cover, could get on top of those covers.

When you cleaned the engine compartment, might you have gotten any of the cleaning solution up on the insulating pad on the underside of the hood .. ??

(thus it might have dripped down on those covers)

You know, I'm strong believer in preventative maintenance and being proactive but, sometimes big pieces of crude machinery just produce unexplained stuff and deposits.

For example, I went out and took a picture of my totally stock, never cleaned engine.

Note the strange deposits on the pulley cover. Did something leak on it? Maybe it's cricket poop .... :iono:

Note the dark liquid substance on the inlet tube. Is something leaking? Is it cricket pee ... :iono:

OK, enough funnen wich ya ........ ;)

Yep, wipe it off and I'll betcha it doesn't return..... :)


humfrz

Blecch! Totaled.

Well for once I think I actually know the answer for this. Whoever did the oil change was simply sloppy. I literally changed my oil two days ago and since it was my first time, I accidentally touched and sloshed oil in places I shouldn't have been touching and my engine bay looks just like yours. Oil streaks and drops on my intake filter, oil filter, all over my drive way, etc. Don't sweat it.

What he said...I would just clean it off and see if it comes back. Also, check it right after the next oil change.

Cleaned with engine cleaner/decreaser and then 're-dressed' engine. Crossing fingers it was sweat blown from ac or radiator belt that mixed with the engine dressing a few weeks back. I'll get under car today or tomorrow to double check.

Here ya go @lupindub .............. :D


humfrz

LOL oil change was done 2.2k ago (like 2months ago).

Yep I used one of those things. As a matter of fact I did two oil changes within the span of two hours thanks to my local Toyota dealer. The part's department dude gave me the wrong gasket for the oil drain plug... not a big deal unless you find out AFTER you drained all your old oil. :mad0260: So pretty much I had to fill her up with my new oil (had to temporarily re-use old gasket, no choice), go back to the dealership and get new gasket, and then do ANOTHER oil change which really pissed me off since it was getting dark and I kind of rushed things.

Oh, my, sorry to be funnen with you in your time of frustration ..... :(

Well, now that you have "flushed" your crankcase ....... :sigh: ;the old gasket would most likely been fine to have re-used. If old gaskets don't leak right away, there would have been a good chance it would have sealed till the next oil change.

Of course, the dealership gave you free oil changes for life ...... because they messed up ....... ;)


humfrz

PS - just think, you can use this story as a "back in the day" story, 10 years from now, when the "oil" will be changed by swapping out a cartridge .........:cheers:

Unfortunately this is the part where "oil got all over mah driveway" part. Since the the owner of the car before me was the incredible hulk, the crush gasket was in no shape to be re-used. As soon as I refilled with new oil, it started slowly dripping all over the place.

At this point Toyota couldn't pay ME to have my oil changed.