Any Concern?

[F150 Pat]

2019 with 18k miles. Just doing some routine cleaning. Took the engine cover off and I see this.

 

[5280tunage]

Does that discoloration look as though it's from overheating? It looks kind of deformed as well. In short, definitely looks no bueno to me.

 

[wakeboarder]

Could something have dropped from above? How does the engine cover look?

 

[F150 Pat]

Engine cover looks fine. I’m taking it in for a couple minor warranty covered issues this week. I’ll show him the pictures.

 

[TheDoug]

I would be concerned if that were my vehicle

 

[5280tunage]

Yeah, from the pics I can't tell if that's a residue (i.e. antifreeze leaking and condensing on top), some kind of residue from plastic vaporizing under high heat? can't tell, but doesn't look great. Looks like it could be coming up through that far (third) hole.

 

[F150 Pat]

Intake leak.

 

[DWs-TTEB]

That would concern the HELL out of me! Back to the dealership my friend. Show them these ^ pictures. They should remove that intake manifold of composite plastics, cleanup both sides and put on a new gasket etc. Also, they should be able to diagnose how that occurred. That residue is most likely engine coolant/anti-freeze from a bad gasket or a wrapped plastic intake manifold.

 

[F150 Pat]

Calling tomorrow when they open!

 

[DWs-TTEB]

I had my engine cover off mine this weekend. The intake manifold is spotless with 35,321 miles on it!

 

[5280tunage]

that's crazy. But I'm glad you found it. Makes me think everyone on here should pull their engine cover every time they do an oil change and start looking for similar residue.

 

[Deadman]

Without walking to garage does it just pull straight up like usual? I hate breaking those fn clips if you pull the wrong way.

 

[F150 Pat]

2 nuts in front then just pulls off. I just pulled mine because it was dirty. I was in my **** mode today. Glad I was!

 

[5280tunage]

After pulling the nuts of, pull the front up a few inches and pull towards the front of the vehicle, the white plastic half circle tabs can break off if pull the whole thing straight up.

 

[Deadman]

Mine is using coolant so I'm going to look for sure!

 

[Nate2020KR]

Everyone should take a little bit of time and just look everything over on their vehicle once a month or so. It's better to catch something early like you did, then have it leave you on the side of the road.

 

[F150 Pat]

Dealer said not a coolant leak and not sure what it is. Pressurized the coolant system overnight. Not a drop of leakage and I have had no loss of coolant in the reservoir. The gripe is that the tech never cleaned any of the areas off. Left it all as is. I would of made sure it was all clean as a whistle so if it is a problem we can see where exactly the origination point is. It's a good dealer but some guys care, some not so much. In the end they suspect something in the assembly process. Not a leak and it's all clean now so I'll watch it.

 

[5280tunage]

I don't believe that at all. Based on how you can see the progression, right, to me it looks like the steam has been origination from that third hole and condensing on the plastic as it moves forward and back, maybe from the metal to plastic connection as well. In fact, and here's what I would say back, a seal failed at some point, and as so often happens with coolant, it can actually seal holes over time if they are small enough. Likely it sealed its own hole, but it will likely open up over time again, i.e. heating/cooling cycles causing a crack again.

How can anyone say there wasn't a leak, that's not someone I would trust right now. Pressurize it or not, it's as visible as you need.

 

[F150 Pat]

Your correct. But now it's documented. Those 3 holes on top are sealed cavities. Nothing comes out of them. Just dirt collection ports. Be sure I'll be keeping a close eye.