What's this build up of oil?

Hey everyone
08 was changing the oil today , when i noticed a build up of oil , grease ... im not sure whats behind the AC Compressor ? ?
Im freaking out , just finished my BedBuild and was about to hit the xcountry trip.
Not sure what its from ? What to do ?
Truck has never had any motor issues 118,000
I feel like a torpedo just hit my trip

Any insight




Cheers

 

Hard to say from these pics but it looks like motor oil. Any drips on the ground? Any other spray on the other engine bay components or the underside of the hood? What does it feel, smell, look like? Could be something as simple as a sloppy oil change that got everywhere or could be a high pressure leak or a slow no worry leak you could live with. Need more info.

 

thanks for the reply. i was thinking back , i did spill a little oil a while ago but NOthing that would add up to that amount of build up. Maybe a few drops here and there so I kind of ruled that out. Unless the dealer just threw oil everywhere. Was actually my 1st time changing it since I owned the truck .... was always dealer serviced
I did smell it, smelt like oil n grease i guess. But u can see on the 1st pic if u zoom into it. it was sludgy on one side and that other pic is from the same spot but looking from the pass side over, so the back side
Zero drips from anywhere else. Never drips oil.

Whats directly behind the AC compressor ?

 

Was your oil low when you changed it? If there was nothing on the ground, and it didnt seem like you lost any oil, could it be grease/oil from when it was serviced last? If your truck is clean and dry try putting something directly below that spot and see if it drips.

 

no, oil was not low. there r no leaks , i would see it on the ground

can anyone tell me whats right behind the AC Compressor ? Thats where it looks like it came from

 

Whatever it is, it has been going on for a while.

It can be cleaned off to then start to figure out where its coming from yet check gaskets around and above it. Oil leaks soften rubber they fall on, ending the life of high pressure a/c lines and coolant hoses early.

 

I would say most likely the valve cover. I doubt it but, head gasket is there, front cover gasket. Then possibly a crank seal. VC is my first thought.

 

having no $ to take it to the dealer.....
life and timing ....
stupid ? should i just leave the build up of oil and sledge on there ? I remember back in the day an old timer telling me to sometimes leave shit like that sometimes. Not have the $ to fix it immediately , think he told me it acts like a bandaid . lol .......
so bummed
looks like there will be no xcountry trip

 

That last pic has your oil filter housing prominently shown and wetter than hell. The oil filter adapter sticks out in front of everything. If I guess from the limited info, I would have to say the filter housing o-ring was installed improperly, and the housing is leaking heavily. Easy to fix, and you won't have to change the oil again. You will have to add a quart or so. Buy the Toyota filter, and read the directions showing how to install the housing o-ring on the side of the box.

 

no , sorry that was after i drained my oil , i forgot to put that little drain piece in there so when i removed the filter , yup.. it was still full of oil and made a mess of the ground and my face and hair

 

Yeah, I suppose it is possible that you reinstalled a dirty, wet oil filter housing. And, left it dripping wet such that the excess oil has blown back onto the oil filter adapter immediately behind it. Ah, never mind...must be the front timing cover.

 

ok dude

 

Thanks dude. I will attempt to clean today. I will also try to stay positive. Thanks for the advice. And yes. I live on the ocean and truck is on and off the beach daily so the rust is inevitable.

 

I'll echo some of the others comments...clean the area, then recheck.
With leaks, I've always been taught...start big and work down to the small.

I would double check the major parts connections with the biggest gaskets...valve covers, heads, the usual.
Given that there's not been any drips would suggest it's a slow leak, such as from a gasket or.....

My original thought, (provided that I'm understanding that the leak is on the front of the engine), was the power steering lines.
Looking at the color and the black 'gunk' of build up, it looks very reminiscent of a slow power steering leak.

Given your environment and truck age, I'd check from the reservoir, down the lines, over to the pump. Pay particular attention to the clamp/connections.
They're relatively easy to fix and replace (if necessary)....can get a bit messy, but easy to do.

 

right on. thanks dude. would brake cleaner be ok to hit that spot or should i get a engine degreaser ? thanks for the suggestions . hoping for the best. cheers

 

Either or will be fine. Personally, I like Simple Green the best for the gunky stuff.
I usually try to avoid the chlorinated cleaners, especially on any rubber/hose parts.

 

You have to use the Greene can of brake clean. CRC or make sure it has the Acetone and Xylene in it. If you spray it on your finger it is dry, the other will be oily. It's the bomb. The other is worthless. It also beats the crap out of using starting fluid, and heck why buy carb cleaner.......it does it all. Almost forgot, kills those hornets at the junk yard.