Possible Oil leak question

[Gfreak]

Hey y'all, this is probably a really dumb question.

But noticed some oil gathering on 1 part of the passenger side valve cover on my 2010.

Hard to get a good picture, but here's a before and after of wiping it off.


At first, i thought that was a bolt that was covered in oil...but it's not and hence the dumb question. But what is that?

I've wiped it off yesterday and waiting to see if any more deposits come back. But yea, any tips/advice on if it's something I should be worried about would be great lol.

 

[Dino Dino Bambino]

It's possible the valve cover gasket has been through so many heat cycles that it's become hard and brittle enough to crack and allow oil to seep past it.

 

[Robert Larimer]

Hey y'all, this is probably a really dumb question.

But noticed some oil gathering on 1 part of the passenger side valve cover on my 2010.

Hard to get a good picture, but here's a before and after of wiping it off.


At first, i thought that was a bolt that was covered in oil...but it's not and hence the dumb question. But what is that?

I've wiped it off yesterday and waiting to see if any more deposits come back. But yea, any tips/advice on if it's something I should be worried about would be great lol.

View attachment 97031

View attachment 97032

Oil leaks from valve covers are not at all unusual with age. Your car is 14 years old. The worst that can happen is oil might drip on your exhaust and smell bad.

 

[stkjock]

It's possible the valve cover gasket has been through so many heat cycles that it's become hard and brittle enough to crack and allow oil to seep past it.

this /\ KISS.....

 

[86GT351]

It's possible the valve cover gasket has been through so many heat cycles that it's become hard and brittle enough to crack and allow oil to seep past it.

FACT!!!!!!

 

[07 Boss]

And if I remember correctly some valve covers had more bolt holes in them that were needed or they changed the heads. Either way I can remember swapping covers and had an odd number of bolt holes that were unused.

 

[Gfreak]

Appreciate all the replies!

Yea I wasn't 100% sure if it was the gasket leaking, or if there was something else going on there.

I also wasn't sure what that "thing" is that the oil was covering, that I originally thought was a bolt. Hence the dumb question of what was it lol.

 

[MADGT]

And if I remember correctly some valve covers had more bolt holes in them that were needed or they changed the heads. Either way I can remember swapping covers and had an odd number of bolt holes that were unused.

That is correct. When I swapped out the stock covers for Ford Racing ones, the FR had less bolts, but the gasket that came with the FR covbers was fitted to ensure proper coverage. I swapped them out almost 15 yrs ago and to this date, not a drop of oil leaks thru the gasket.

 

[Stangman51]

Did you trying to see if a bolt will fit in that hole, it looks like a bolt is missing. Good luck.

 

[Samos3]

Could be a mount for a harness clip or bracket either not relevant in the Mustang, or for a foreign market.

 

[Ret]

Gfreak, there are no dumb questions, If so, I wouldn't be allowed on this site any longer.

MADGT looks as if we have the same rides.

 

[MasterofDisaster]

From the stains on the sides of the valve cover it looks to me as if someone spilled a little oil on the cover when pouring it into the crankcase.

I usually clean the motor once a year before my church's car show. If you clean it up and take a look in a couple months, you may find there's nothing there, in which case problem solved. If there is something in a couple months, it may be easier to track.

 

[Gfreak]

Definitely wasn't a bolt hole, yea good chance it was for a bracket or something.

And fair enough Ret haha. Love the convertible btw

 

[Gfreak]

From the stains on the sides of the valve cover it looks to me as if someone spilled a little oil on the cover when pouring it into the crankcase.

I usually clean the motor once a year before my church's car show. If you clean it up and take a look in a couple months, you may find there's nothing there, in which case problem solved. If there is something in a couple months, it may be easier to track.

That was my first thought (Hope really). and yea I wiped it off and am just gonna leave it and keep re-checking it periodically for now.

Might as well post mine up as Tax. Thanks again for all the responses y'all.

 

[MADGT]

Gfreak, there are no dumb questions, If so, I wouldn't be allowed on this site any longer.

MADGT looks as if we have the same rides.

View attachment 97151

Almost, but mine is a bit older...2006...

 

[Ret]

Looks very similar. One big difference the 2012 has a hard rubber material at the lower front, sides and back trunk lid. (maybe a plastic of some kind). At first didn't think I would care for it, but it is easy to maintain and no chips.

 

[Dadasaurus_Rex]

I'm not sure the original intent of those little grommets from the factory but my car has them too. I freaked a little when I first saw it and thought the same, oh no a bolt is missing... nope, they are just there. Possibly on other engines they hold a harness clip or something. I figured it was because these are modular motors and parts are used from one model to the other.

 

[Gfreak]

I'm not sure the original intent of those little grommets from the factory but my car has them too. I freaked a little when I first saw it and thought the same, oh no a bolt is missing... nope, they are just there. Possibly on other engines they hold a harness clip or something. I figured it was because these are modular motors and parts are used from one model to the other.

Glad I'm not the only one then haha.

I've got another car i'm about to drive as a daily to replace this one. Hopefully will be able to keep the miles off it and have it for another 10-15 years without problems lol.