Please Help Identify Oil / Fluid leak

habitTrail · **Joined:** Sat Jul 16, 2005 11:56 am **Posts:** 46

The residue is on the engine block. As you can see, it is in the area of just above the oil filter, beside / behind the power steering pump.

I have owned the 03 Liberty since new (April 03) and only have 33k miles on it. I have performed all maintenance myself. The area noted, is an accumulation of residue, since new. I have never high pressure washed the engine bay.

The fluid / oil leak(?) must be minor. I have never had to top off the engine oil between changes. I have only had to top off the auto transmission fluid, brake and power steering fluid, once each in all that time.

I suspect it may be from engine oil or power steering fluid, but would like your best guess and hints as to how to troubleshoot and repair. Thanks in advance!

sleeve84028 · **Posted:** Sun Dec 28, 2008 9:15 pm

First step in identification would be cleaning the area with 50/50 simple green and water. Then if the stain returns you know you have a leak.

From the picture I'm going to say it's oil spray caused from the fan... But I'd clean the area and keep an eye on it for a couple days before making that final determinatio.

habitTrail · **Joined:** Sat Jul 16, 2005 11:56 am **Posts:** 46

sleeve84028 wrote:

First step in identification would be cleaning the area with 50/50 simple green and water. Then if the stain returns you know you have a leak.

From the picture I'm going to say it's oil spray caused from the fan... But I'd clean the area and keep an eye on it for a couple days before making that final determinatio.

Thanks for the advice! I will clean the area tomorrow and keep an eye on it.

The spray back idea seems reasonable. I had thought that might have occurred, as each oil filter change resulted in a little oil remaining in the cracks and crevices of the areas beneath the filter. I think it is near impossible to replace the oil filter without "losing" a little oil while removing and I suppose that the fan could spread the lost oil around.

I also thought if that were the case, just about everyone would have the same results and a bunch of folks would chime in with "mine looks the same way".

jeepkj02 · **Posted:** Sun Dec 28, 2008 10:29 pm

Remove the serp belt before cleaning it.

Diggerfreek · **Posted:** Sun Dec 28, 2008 11:11 pm

give it a good cleaning and then see what color the leak is. it is either PS fluid which is rd or engine oil that is black

Tom_TJ_Performance · **Posted:** Mon Dec 29, 2008 8:22 pm

I would say its not blow back from the fan. If it was the rest of the pulleys and block would have oil on them too. From the looks of the picture i would say it your p/s pump leaking. If you want to try and change the gasket here you go....

REMOVAL for the 3.7L and 2.4L

1. Siphon out as much power steering fluid as possible.
2. Remove the radiator cross member.
3. Remove the engine cooling fan.
4. Remove the fan shroud
5. Remove the serpentine drive belt.
6. Remove the power steering high pressure hose at the pump.
7. Remove the return hose at the pump.
8. Remove the three bolts securing the pump to the bracket through the holes in the pulley.
9. Remove the pump from the vehicle.

INSTALLATION

1. Install the pump to the vehicle.
2. Install the three bolts securing the pump to the engine. Tighten the bolts to 47 Nm (35 ft. lbs.).
3. Install the power steering hoses.
4. Install the serpentine belt.
5. Install the fan shroud
6. Install the engine cooling fan.
7. Install the radiator crossmember.
8. Refill the power steering fluid and check for leaks.

Please Help Identify Oil / Fluid leak

Who is online