Bottom half of engine caked in grime. Doesn't seem like a leak

[tracerit]

I've had a driver's side timing cover leak in the past and it's been resealed three times. But this time it looks like something else. It seems like the grime is all under the engine and in a way like it was misted on. Can't tell from which direction but looking at certain bolts, it's not entirely covered. Could it be an exhaust leak? I'll get more pictures when I change my oil jn a few weeks but it just looks strange.

[Verl0r4n]

Looks like belt dust to me

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[Fred E]

Maybe belt dust, but that might actually be all over the front face of the engine instead of only at the bottom/under. If you remove your header, my guess is you will see evidence of an exhaust leak at the flange and it would likely just need new gaskets. Should be about $100-150 for parts and labor if you go to a shop, or only like $30(?) for new gaskets if you do it yourself.

[Trueweltall]

You can clearly tell he has a leak somewhere and the dirt is accumulating onto the leaking oil spots. You can see the oil all over the grounding strap. Look into your oil filter cup and see if there is oil in it, if it fills up you can end up with oil all over the bottom of your engine, mainly on the drivers side but if it hits the belt it'll go places.

https://www.ft86club.com/forums/show....php?p=3092526

[ermax]

The timing cover is notorious for leaking at the bottom right near that wet ground strap you focused on. The oil will blow around and collect dirt everywhere. That leak will just get worse. Mine was much worse but it didn't spread around as much as yours has. Definitely not and exhaust leak though. If you had a leak that bad you and all your neighbors would hear it.

There is a thread around here somewhere where someone sealed his leak externally. He cleaned up the area really well and then used some sort of RTV and his hasn't leaked for a year.

[tracerit]

I'll replace the serpentine belt and see where it goes from there. J. At 64k miles now.

As for the grounding cable, I looked back and old footage after they resealed a year ago and it looks the same. They just didn't clean it. I should probably clean everything up, replace the belt, and then reassess from there.

[ermax]

Surprised they would crack open your timing cover without cleaning first. I wouldn't take my car to that dealer ever again that's for sure.

[ZionsWrath]

Originally Posted by Trueweltall

You can clearly tell he has a leak somewhere and the dirt is accumulating onto the leaking oil spots. You can see the oil all over the grounding strap. Look into your oil filter cup and see if there is oil in it, if it fills up you can end up with oil all over the bottom of your engine, mainly on the drivers side but if it hits the belt it'll go places.

https://www.ft86club.com/forums/show....php?p=3092526

This makes the most sense.

The amount of grime, particularly "wet" looking. This is just my bro-science analysis though. I don't know how to say it but you can just tell when there is some other issue that accumulates debris from run of the mill old age and dust.