QP Fluid leak - unknown possibly aircon

[Simon]

Hi,
on start up today I got some steam coming up from the left hand side of the engine compartment, I opened the bonnet and checked around. It was coming from down infront of the passenger footwell area. After a few minutes it went away, wasn't sure if just condensation. Also a funny smell inside the car like oily/sooty smell.

Went back after 30 mins, car still warm. No trace of smell or steam.

Now the aircon compressor has a noisy bearing and I'll be replacing it as soon as the weather allows. It was picked up at the last service in November. I looked under the car and there has been a leak of some sort onto the exhaust on the right hand side. Not much, not even a puddle on the floor. On the exhaust there are some damp runs than have corroded the surface of the exhaust slightly.

So, I think this may be aircon coolant that leaks out very slowly and then gets burnt off when the engine is started and warmed up. I stretched under and rubbed the marks with a tissue but nothing came off.

If this were oil then it would still be damp and it wouldn't have caused surface rust on the exhaust. I expect its aircon coolant, your words of wisdom are welcome. Here's a pic underneath.

thanks Simon

 

[EXCF350]

I've got no idea but you could also check for any coolant or windscreen washer leaks

 

[Phil the Brit]

Hi,
on start up today I got some steam coming up from the left hand side of the engine compartment, I opened the bonnet and checked around. It was coming from down infront of the passenger footwell area. After a few minutes it went away, wasn't sure if just condensation. Also a funny smell inside the car like oily/sooty smell.

Went back after 30 mins, car still warm. No trace of smell or steam.

Now the aircon compressor has a noisy bearing and I'll be replacing it as soon as the weather allows. It was picked up at the last service in November. I looked under the car and there has been a leak of some sort onto the exhaust on the right hand side. Not much, not even a puddle on the floor. On the exhaust there are some damp runs than have corroded the surface of the exhaust slightly.

So, I think this may be aircon coolant that leaks out very slowly and then gets burnt off when the engine is started and warmed up. I stretched under and rubbed the marks with a tissue but nothing came off.

If this were oil then it would still be damp and it wouldn't have caused surface rust on the exhaust. I expect its aircon coolant, your words of wisdom are welcome. Here's a pic underneath.

thanks Simon

View attachment 26445

If you need a QP compressor they are over £1100. Eurospares have a couple left on special offer at £625. Or try this place ...Compressor Tech 0121 766 5006, Reconned mine in three days and looks perfect. Charge was £225 plus VAT

 

[Simon]

thanks for the tips. I'll update when I get a diagnosis.

How many hours labour is it to remove and replace? Just so I have a ballpark figure when calling around.

Simon

 

[AndyG]

Did mine in 2 hours, bit of a pig to get the rear bolts in


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[Simon]

Thats good news, was expecting 5-6 hrs the way a 'newbie' main dealer sucked air though his teeth! He couldn't even give me a quote either.

 

[AndyG]

That's why we don't use main dealers !


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[Gixerboy]

Hi Simon,

It won't be Aircon refrigerant, that returns to a gas state at atmospheric pressure, so would have drifted of into the atmosphere.
It's more likely to be a cam cover gasket letting by, dripping a small amount of engine oil onto the exhaust manifold,
This will leave the discolouration you have.
A reasonably inexpensive fix, if a bit fiddly .

Cheers Dave

 

[AndyG]

That ones a 6 hour marathon


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[safrane]

Cam cover leaks/weeping seems to be a issue on all 4.2 and 4.7 engines across the whole range.

 

[Simon]

Hi guys,
called Supercar Centre(Millbrooke) in Sheffield today and spoke with Andy. Explained the symptoms and he said leaking gasket on rocker cover. He said it always goes where there is a half moon shape in the back of the cover. I mentioned the aircon and he said if it was the rocker cover you'd have a smell of burning oil (which I do get). He said its a 4 hr job to do both sides, looking under the bonnet tonight there is quite a lot of stuff to shift out of the way before you could get them off.

In the interests of science I placed my S5 in video mode and placed it in an old Ferrero Roche box( you know they'll come in useful one day) and then slowly slid it around under the car. It actually worked pretty well and you can see the top of the posterior manifold wet with oil.

Pretty impressed that he got the diagnosis spot on from just a phone call.

 

[mjheathcote]

Cam cover leaks/weeping seems to be a issue on all 4.2 and 4.7 engines across the whole range.

Yes mine was picked up as leaking on the PPI, and gasket replaced before I took delivery.

 

[Simon]

Did they do both sides as a precaution as I imagine they'll both be at the same point on the lifespan cycle?

 

[mjheathcote]

Did they do both sides as a precaution as I imagine they'll both be at the same point on the lifespan cycle?

No just the leaking offside.
Interestingly my Stag has the same design and same half moon seals at the back (and also the front) of the heads (being the same overhead camshaft, they need the 'hole' to machine the camshaft bearing faces)...and they tend to leak too!

 

[Simon]

My car had a Major service at a 'newbie' main dealer only in Nov 2014. I wonder how they missed it? Possibly the run over there burnt off any oil so it was nearly clean when they got it?

Have Maserati's ever burst into flames from oil getting on the exhaust?