Changed plugs and noticed this?

[bmk1]

2019 here with 91000miles. When I took the cover off the engine to start working on the plugs, I noticed the residue on these two sensors. Do you think I should replace these or is that a normal amount of residue?

The spark plugs were very easy to change. Especially when you have a brother who is a diesel mechanic and has all the fancy tools.

 

[kep5niner]

That is the VVT solenoids. The leaks should be addressed. You have to remove the valve covers to replace the seals.

 

[bmk1]

Wonder if my warranty would cover that. Not sure I’m up for removing the valve cover.

 

[kep5niner]

Mine were covered. Not sure if it was the 6 year / 70,000 mile factory drivetrain warranty or the Lincoln Protect ESP that covered it.

 

[2020-MAX-Limited]

or, could it be that someone got sloppy adding oil and it seeped into that area?

 

[GlennSullivan]

or, could it be that someone got sloppy adding oil and it seeped into that area?

That's what I was thinking. Not using a funnel or pulling it away while still dripping. I'd clean it off and see what it looks like in a few weeks - Unless, you are close to warranty expiration.

 

[BigOleFordFan]

As long as it's NOT an actual leak, and assuming that it is not causing problems and has been that way for a good while, I would say that amount of gunk build up is fairly normal for a 6 year old vehicle. So like Glenn said, I would clean it up & see if it happens again within a few weeks

 

[bmk1]

Just

As long as it's NOT an actual leak, and assuming that it is not causing problems and has been that way for a good while, I would say that amount of gunk build up is fairly normal for a 6 year old vehicle. So like Glenn said, I would clean it up & see if it happens again within a few weeks

Everywhere else is fairly clean, for what it’s worth, so it does appear to be a leak.

Just so I don’t do something stupid. What should I use to clean? Can I spray something like brake cleaner or should I just use a rag to wipe it off? I have years of ESP left so even if it is a leak hopefully it’s covered.

 

[BigOleFordFan]

I would start with something like Windex, Goo Gone, or Simple Green or some other type of mild degreaser, which is NOT solvent or alcohol-based, and use a very narrow spray pattern, which should not cause any damage to other parts in the process....as that damage would most likely void your ESP....

 

[bmk1]

So, I just left the dealership and I asked them to check this. They at first said they wouldn’t have time today but would put dye in it and I’d have to come back in 2 weeks.

Well when I picked it up he said he had a technician get free and he “walked over and said oh yeah that’s valve cover gaskets”.

Well of course valve cover gaskets aren’t covered by my warranty. I asked if they dyed it and he said no bc my tech just said it was valve cover gaskets.

$1300 for them to repair.

Should I get a second opinion? I think my plan for now is to just clean the area and keep an eye on it.

 

[kep5niner]

Have you ever cleaned the engine since last July? Step 1 to diagnosing a leak is to have a clean engine to identify where the leak is coming from.

Based upon the one picture you provided, it’s nearly impossible to tell you if it’s a valve cover gasket, VVT solenoid gasket, etc. that’s causing your leaks.

 

[Trainmaster]

Depending on your warranty, the gasket should be covered. Don't trust the first imbecile who says it's not covered. Read your agreement. It's simple. The repair should cost nowhere near $1300. Look elsewhere if it's not covered and find a fair shop to replace the silly $30 gasket.

 

[ncrefasi]

probably is the valve cover gasket as this is a known issue on these engines. should be recalled or free repair. I think $1300 is way too high for this. cover is about $150. I was actually looking to see if you can plastic weld the cover when I found this message.

 

[ncrefasi]

also, I just changed plugs at 110k miles and had 1 that was gunked up like yours in the picture. not sure why but cleaned everything and will monitor. I did notice torque on this type of plug was very light so was wondering if there was some blow by?

 

[5280tunage]

I'm not 100% sure it's the gaskets. these plastic covers are absolutely known for hairline cracks. I have a post on here showing mine that was cracked. If it's cracked it would be covered under warranty, mine was.

 

[Fastcar]

Just

Everywhere else is fairly clean, for what it’s worth, so it does appear to be a leak.

Just so I don’t do something stupid. What should I use to clean? Can I spray something like brake cleaner or should I just use a rag to wipe it off? I have years of ESP left so even if it is a leak hopefully it’s covered.

Use electrical cleaner!

 

[bmk1]

Have you ever cleaned the engine since last July? Step 1 to diagnosing a leak is to have a clean engine to identify where the leak is coming from.

Based upon the one picture you provided, it’s nearly impossible to tell you if it’s a valve cover gasket, VVT solenoid gasket, etc. that’s causing your leaks.

No I unfortunately didn’t. Life happened and I completely forgot till I took in for service. They said THEY would clean it and dye it. Instead they did neither.

I did wipe it down with a rag real good when I got home and I will try and check in this week to see what it looks like.

 

[bmk1]

Depending on your warranty, the gasket should be covered. Don't trust the first imbecile who says it's not covered. Read your agreement. It's simple. The repair should cost nowhere near $1300. Look elsewhere if it's not covered and find a fair shop to replace the silly $30 gasket.

I called endurance (my esp) they said well the valve covers are covered under warranty but the dealership said it was the gasket only which is not covered unless they are replacing the cover……. So basically if the dealership would just said “valve covers” instead of “valve cover gasket” it would all be covered just fine. It makes no sense for it to be the gasket to me anyways when the build up is above gasket. I believe it’s a hairline crack like someone said above.

 

[bmk1]

also, I just changed plugs at 110k miles and had 1 that was gunked up like yours in the picture. not sure why but cleaned everything and will monitor. I did notice torque on this type of plug was very light so was wondering if there was some blow by?

I thought the same thing about the plugs being very light torque but went with anyways. It doesn’t appear to be anywhere else but in the pic so I don’t think so.

 

[JasonH]

also, I just changed plugs at 110k miles and had 1 that was gunked up like yours in the picture. not sure why but cleaned everything and will monitor. I did notice torque on this type of plug was very light so was wondering if there was some blow by?

The gaskets fail and oil seeps into the plug wells. You can check by pulling the coil and shining a light into the well. The torque on the plugs is very low. My recollection is around 133 lb-inch. You can get away with it for awhile, but eventually you'll want to replace them because the oil can contaminate your catalytic converter, and that's not a cheap fix.