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      08-01-2020, 02:42 PM   #1
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Strange Oily Residue in Engine Compartment

Hi all

I have a couple of places under the hood of my 2015 228 that have an oily residue. It's odd because I can see the residue on both hood bumpstops and it has made a thin layer in the bracket into which the hood catch recedes. It's like the oil has collected around the front edge of the hood. There is no oil elsewhere on the engine and I don't have drips. Any suggestions ?
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      08-01-2020, 03:01 PM   #2
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It's cosmoline, the rust proofing that BMW sprays in the areas that are prone to rust.
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      08-01-2020, 03:29 PM   #3
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Quote:
Originally Posted by MarcoZandrini View Post
It's cosmoline, the rust proofing that BMW sprays in the areas that are prone to rust.
Wow, even 6 years after it was built I'd see it in droplets like this?
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      08-01-2020, 03:38 PM   #4
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BetweenTheWheels View Post
Wow, even 6 years after it was built I'd see it in droplets like this?
My 6+ year old just was driven in the hottest temps it's ever experienced two days ago....113F ambient...and I found symetrical oozing of cosmoline at the same spot on both headlamps. Thick and oily, but cleaned right up. Here is one of them.

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      08-01-2020, 03:45 PM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Sportstick View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by BetweenTheWheels View Post
Wow, even 6 years after it was built I'd see it in droplets like this?
My 6+ year old just was driven in the hottest temps it's ever experienced two days ago....113F ambient...and I found symetrical oozing of cosmoline at the same spot on both headlamps. Thick and oily, but cleaned right up. Here is one of them.

Those pics are helpful. My residue doesn't look like that. Mine is thinner and more engine oil like... concerning, but I have no clue where it would come from and why it would be appearing where it does.
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      08-01-2020, 04:17 PM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BetweenTheWheels View Post
Those pics are helpful. My residue doesn't look like that. Mine is thinner and more engine oil like... concerning, but I have no clue where it would come from and why it would be appearing where it does.
Not sure what your current conditions are, but the thicker appearance you see in my photos are after the car returned and sat in our 78F air conditioned garage for two days. It could not have flowed into this position in its current viscosity. If you are in a warm area, the more liquid state of cosmoline may be explainable and still be the most reasonable explanation or it may be overspray from a service visit. I note both locations are near latches.
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      08-03-2020, 04:50 PM   #7
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Agree with Sportstick - definitely cosmoline. It can ooze out of lots of places and in ways you'd never guess, especially in the summer.
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      08-03-2020, 07:28 PM   #8
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If you got the car serviced lately, the techs usually spray a aerosol grease on moving parts like latches. Many times a lithium type grease. It picks up dust/dirt. They use a thinner version on door latches so it does not stain clothing. Under the hood, not too much.
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