Dusty Engine Bay - Determining Leaks or not

[RS4EDC]

Hey PistonHeads,

My car is about 4 years old and recently had it serviced. My engine bay is dusty and dirty from parking at job site that has dirt road.

Today I was looking around my engine bay and notice a darker shade patch of dust and dirt that was abit greasy or oily. I could not see any signs where the leak would come from which makes me wonder is it a leak or it’s just grease from the dirt, do engine bays get greasy and oily if you have no leaks? Or it should be bone dry if no leaks?

Also I might buy some Athletes Foot Powder spray to see if it is a leak or it just trick of the eyes, but need to know is it safe to apply foot spray onto the engine? Is there certain ingredients I should avoid?

Anyone have had the same experience please share your story....


Thanks

Edited by RS4EDC on Thursday 30th May 13:11

[E-bmw]

Clean it off & check again, could be either a leak or possibly a spillage when topping up etc.


Athletes foot powder is just talc & starch, so should be OK, but I wouldn't bother, just clean & look in a couple of days.

[GreenV8S]

RS4EDC said:

do engine bays get greasy and oily if you have no leaks?

Yes. Any suddenly appearing damp patches would be a concern, but it's perfectly normal for dirt and grime to build up and for that to include oily residue.