Hello Everyone. I was wondering if these grease covering the engine is normal? I never noticed it before, but that does not mean it wasn't there to begin with.

If this is not normal, what can be causing it? How to fix it?

If this is normal, then how do I minimize it?

Please see attach picture (red circle).

 

It's apparent that you have a oil leak not likely where you took the pictures but somewhere could be minor, that could have accumulate in time like you said never noticed it before. Put cardboard underneath you cars engine to see if anything comes down or jack it up and look under. Our cars have this problem oil leak that is.

 

looks like normal seepage. doesn't look wet enough to be considered a leak. you might want to clean it off and see how long the duration is before it gets that grimey again. you can always replace the valve cover gasket and put some liquid silicone along the corners and rounded surface contacts between the valve cover gasket and cyl head.

 

As stated before, use some cardboard and check for leaks. You should be bone dry under the car at all times. A bit of residue and dust is kinda normal depending on how bad it gets. AKA, I wouldn't stress at all unless you notice dripping underneath the car.

 

Thank you all.

I just placed a cardboard under the car and will leave the car parked for two days. Hopefully I wont find any oil drips.

In the event that oil is some how seeping out, it is not due to me using Mobil 1 5w30 synthetic oil right?

I switched from conventional valvoline oil to Mobil 1 about 10k miles ago.

 

Mine is a lot more wet than this, I clean it off and instantly comes back on the valve covers but 5.5 quarts comes out every oil change. I wouldn't worry too much about it, its normal accumulation over time.

 

i've read that if you switch to synthetic oil on high-mileage cars, it can remove deposits that otherwise would be preventing leaks, and may cause a non-leaking engine to start seeping oil. i guess mainly for pre-90's cars whose tolerances are less than more modern cars.

if it was well maintained with regular oil changes, probably shouldn't be a problem.

 

could be spillage from missing the filler oil neck... seeping its way towards that side..

 

^^^Yep, that's on the driver's side of the engine, correct? Just pull the cover off (Five 10mm bolts) and have a look. But that would be my guess as well.

 

pic looks like passenger side... but oil may have seeped to that side

 

PS reservoir in the first pic, definitely passenger side.

 

I had the same issue. The oil leaks from the rear timing cover and needs to be resealed. My dealership under warranty removed timing covers and applied new rtv.

 

Thanks everyone.

The pictures are from both the passenger and driver side.

I removed the engine cover and did not find any form of oil grease. I also checked to see if there were any oil droplets underneath the car and on the cardboard and so far there are none. I still can't figure out where the oil is coming from.

In the event that a rear timing cover needs to be resealed, what would be a reasonable total cost for labor and parts (cost not at dealer)?

The 2012 G37xS has always been maintained according to Infiniti manual and on time. Hopefully this isn't a future expensive problem.

 

Personally I would not worry about it unless you are having to top off the oil frequently. If it didn't have a warranty, I would have left it alone.

 

I don't see anything there. I have a spot where the valve cover gasket is on the drivers side. You will normally accumulate some dirt, but not really oil. I took my car in for an oil change and they def missed the filler neck and got some oil towards the back. I plan on spraying with some k&n cleaner.