What is this pipe

[jojo77m]

Hi
There is a hose pipe near the engine that is damp to the touch with oil and underneath it it looks like there has been oil dripping/spilled/leaking at some point.
Can someone please tell me what the bits are and if it's a problem that it's oily.
It's a c4 2006 if that helps. the only thing i've been able to find online is a russian service manual but i don't speak russian

thanks

edit:
not my car but this video shows the pipe
https://youtu.be/e3QchsZ9ld8?t=7

[HustleRussell]

Looks like the engine charge air pipe between the intercooler and the intake manifold

Oil will get in there from the turbo or from a crankcase ventilation pipe

Is the engine oil level overfilled?

It is normal to get some oil in with the charge air but if it is excessive it may indicate problems.

Ideally the charge air pipe would be sealed and oil wouldn't be evident on the outside of the pipe but again it's not necessarily a 'problem' which you need to urgently 'solve', more of a bit of a nuisance until the pipe starts to leak boost pressure off or leaks oil onto a belt etc.

[jojo77m]

Thanks,
The dipstick is over max level but I have no idea how to remove the excess

thanks

[HustleRussell]

Well there's your probable cause then.

Why is the oil level over MAX, did it come back from service that way? If so ask that they reduce the level down for you. If not, when is the next service due? Obviously an easy fault to rectify during an oil change.

Reducing the oil level DIY without a pela pump or similar is not for the faint hearted.

[Oldandslow]

50ml syringe and some tubing down the dipstick tube.

Have to ask why the level is high. If it was over filled at service then OK. Water leaking into oil would be a worry.

[stevieturbo]

Oldandslow said:

50ml syringe and some tubing down the dipstick tube.

Have to ask why the level is high. If it was over filled at service then OK. Water leaking into oil would be a worry.

be a long time with a 50ml syringe lol

But absolutely...why is it high ?

[jojo77m]

It was overfilled at a service last year, I've not put oil inside so I'm blaming them

thanks

[Elliot2000]

I wouldn’t automatically blame the last people to service it - it could well be leaking high pressure fuel pump or injectors dripping fuel into the oil raising the fuel level. Some engines also cause fuel to leak into the sump during excessive dpf regenerations

[stevieturbo]

jojo77m said:

It was overfilled at a service last year, I've not put oil inside so I'm blaming them

thanks

So you checked it last year when it was serviced and knew it was overfilled and did nothing ?