Pink gunge on engine!

[Vivian]

Hi folks,

Continuing to check over my recent purchase of a 2016 B9 1.6 HDi, I noticed some paste / grease like substance as per the attached photo.

Just wondering what it is;  should it be there or has it oozed out from somewhere?  Should I wipe it off?

Any advice would be really appreciated.

Many thanks.

Vivian

[OMG]

No that should not be there. Just clean it all of.

[Sol]

That looks like copper-slip? Weird place to find it though.

I can't say without searching, if the engine mounts are liquid filled. My missus' Mini has liquid mounts, as one of them burst on the old car. I've never had to mess with mine. But it doesn't look like the oily stuff in liquid mounts anyway.

[oilyrag]

Looks like a Cat /Emissions problem to me.

[Sol]

Looks like a Cat /Emissions problem to me.

Unless her cat shits copperslip, I'm not sure Oily. Have you been sniffing petrol again??

[Guanock]

That's very tidy engine bay for a 2016 motor.
What is the texture of the gunge? ie. is it sticky, oily, rubbery, solid................
Does it smell?
Is it just round that engine mounting?

Geoff

[Vivian]

That's very tidy engine bay for a 2016 motor.
What is the texture of the gunge? ie. is it sticky, oily, rubbery, solid................
Does it smell?
Is it just round that engine mounting?

Geoff

Hi, the stuff is just there, nowhere else.  

It is very soft and sticky.  No smell whatsoever.  It washed off my fingers with plain water, leaving only a very slight stickiness which then washed straight off with soap.

The car has only 23k genuine miles.  It hadn't been hardly used in the two years during lockdown.  But did 10k in the last year.  Passed every MoT no advisories except last one just 2 months ago which highlighted outer wear on both front tyres. New tyres since fitted. 

I'm pretty confident the car is genuine.  It came from a main dealer.  Don't think anyone is trying to hide anything.

Just curious as to what that stuff is! And why has it been put there? Just quickly slapped on it would appear.

I'm actually taking it to my local mechanic tomorrow for an oil and filter change, and I think it also needs a new battery.  See what he says.

Will report back tomorrow evening.

Cheers.

Vivian

[Mark604]

I'd wipe it off and then carefully check it's not covering something up.

[Sol]

Still looks like CoppaSlip to me. Odd place to smear it, but maybe that mount was squeaking.

[Vivian]

Hi everyone,

Quick update. I took the car into my local mechanic that I've used for years. He gave the car a thorough check over and all is well.

Happy to report that the gunk was something of nothing! He agrees with Zion's theory that it was possibly put on because of a bit of a squeak. Not sure of what grease it was but a bit light in colour for Coppaslip, though maybe that could have faded with time. All wiped off now.

So thanks to all those on here who responded to me.

PS I got the mechanic to change the oil filter and oil. He put Eco 0W-30 oil in. I took it for a good drive afterwards and wow I really noticed the difference - engine was so smooth and responsive.

Vivian