Hey everyone.

I was looking for some advice on what you think this issue is.

So the last time I changed the oil in my 2007 Journey I noticed there was some caked on oil on the splash guard on the bottom of the car.

I completely cleaned off the splash guard and as much as I could under the car, completed the oil change, and continued driving.

5,000 miles later I pulled off the splash guard to check on the status of the leak, the results are this:

(1) There is some oil on the splash guard, not nearly as much as before when I cleaned it but still noticeable.

(2) The engine bay underneath has liquid oil drips and some cake on.

(3) When I checked the oil level, I was maybe 1/8 of a quart low, but still in the normal range.

So I took some pictures which you can see below. What do you think it is?

 

Anyone have any thoughts on what this might be?

Is this a known issue with some seal or something that is easily replaced?

Any input is appreciated

 

have you checked your valve cover gaskets?

 

Are you sure it's motor oil? Isn't that the AC compressor?

 

Looks like it's coming from up top, the bottom looks clean. I would guess either Valve cover Gasket Leak or possibly oil from your A/C compressor

 

May want to clean everything off and start checking it every few days if the valve cover gaskets look okay.

 

As everybody said try to clean everything first then check it again for a couple of days... by then you will definitely encounter where the oil coming from.. take an eye on your timing cover and head gasket. IMO its coming from top then it leaked down... just my cent.

 

Valve Cover Gaskets

 

Thanks for the input everyone.

I too think it is coming from up top but it's hard to see anything from above.

To check the valve cover gaskets, do I just need to pull off the plastic engine cover?

Also, yes, it does look and smell like motor oil, but I'm curious, what else could it be if not that?

I haven't had to add any other types of fluids, just motor oil, but I am open to any ideas!

Thanks again everyone

_Michael

 

So I took my car into Midas to see if they could isolate the oil leak.

They looked under the car and under the hood, removed the intake and their conclusion is that the timing cover is leaking.

With parts and labor he is estimating around $1,500 in repairs which includes about 6 hours of labor.

He was willing to do a UV dye test to attempt to isolate it further but was pretty confident that the timing cover is the culprit.

Does this sound legitimate? Has anyone had issues like this or completed the same type of repair?

Thanks again.

_Michael

 

There is a post thread about p0071 codes (I think) that describes replacing the timing cover. That sounds like a typical price from what I remember.