[XCC Motorsports]

Hard to describe, but there is suddenly a substantial amount of oil sludge emitting from the top of the inside bumper and headlights when the hood is open. This is happening on both sides in the same area.

I noticed a slight burning smell and even a little smoke burn off after some sportier driving with sport mode/paddles today. Nothing showed up as wrong in the idrive vehicle info, but the car is parked until I can figure this out.

Does anyone know if the automatic transmission cooler sits right behind the kidney grilles in this area? I'm thinking it could possibly be the connections to the oil cooler leaking.

Anyone ever notice this?

[whoismorggan]

Originally Posted by XCC Motorsports

Hard to describe, but there is suddenly a substantial amount of oil sludge emitting from the top of the inside bumper and headlights when the hood is open. This is happening on both sides in the same area.

I noticed a slight burning smell and even a little smoke burn off after some sportier driving with sport mode/paddles today. Nothing showed up as wrong in the idrive vehicle info, but the car is parked until I can figure this out.

Does anyone know if the automatic transmission cooler sits right behind the kidney grilles in this area? I'm thinking it could possibly be the connections to the oil cooler leaking.

Anyone ever notice this?

I haven't noticed a burning smell but I have the same oil gunk... did you ever pinpoint where it was coming from?

[overcoil]

forum member mdputnum posted this 4 me a few years ago

[pmcmtnbkr]

Originally Posted by f20two

I haven't noticed a burning smell but I have the same oil gunk... did you ever pinpoint where it was coming from?

i have a very similar oily deposit on the driver side near the hood latch. bought the car used with 35k miles have cleaned the underside of the hood and removed a bunch of dried oily residue. my car is a 6 speed manual trans so i dont think it has the trans cooler shown in the one photo. and since cleaning I havent noticed any more oil. woul love to figure out where it came from

[pikcachu]

Might be the stuff they put for transport it usually drains from inside the hood... is to prevent rust and it is usually more noticeable in summer when it kind of melts and drain

[pmcmtnbkr]

Originally Posted by pikcachu

Might be the stuff they put for transport it usually drains from inside the hood... is to prevent rust and it is usually more noticeable in summer when it kind of melts and drain

Thanks I was wondering if someone had sprayed something up there since I kept seeing residue around some of the holes in the hood.

[JP1021]

Same thing on mine. It seems to pool at the top of the headlight units, and it's just about impossible to remove.

[Johncaponegotti]

Originally Posted by pmcmtnbkr

Thanks I was wondering if someone had sprayed something up there since I kept seeing residue around some of the holes in the hood.

Bro I have the same stuff in the same sport I have always wondered what it was it's really weird

[XCC Motorsports]

Hey All,

Thanks for the responses. It was determined that the burning was actually part of a leaking Valve Cover Gasket. Not from the oily substance found at exactly what was pictured above (Thanks for supplying photos). Car had ~55k miles when the vcg was due for replacement, Ind shop offered $800 for parts and labor. Dealer wanted $1700.