Splash

Could someone a little more mechanically inclined venture a guess as to the source of this leak? It's a 2008 with less than 25000 miles. The engine's not using any oil, but the stained area is very slowly growing. (I think I first noticed it a couple of months ago).



Any help would be appreciated. Thanks.

JK_hammer_47

My 09 has the exact same thing. Dealer replaced in take manifold gasket and all is good now

lowe516

Looks alot like mine.




I just cleaned it and waiting to see where it starts from.

Splash

Hmmm.

Sure looks the same.

itasor

Mine looks exactly the same (2009 w/ 45k miles) and has since it hit 15k miles.

Most dealers would consider that very, very light seeping (not leaking) and not do anything about it except maybe try to clean it up.

ny rubicon

Same here on that leak n I have 46000 miles now

Splash

Any pros/cons to letting it go for awhile?

If it's the intake manifold gasket, it would be covered by the lifetime powertrain warranty. I'm inclined to avoid a trip to the dealer for now, and ask about it when I take it in for the 5-year inspection about 5 or 6 months from now.

JK_hammer_47

Use that warranty, I did.

kik

There was a TSB on this for 07 but it should still apply for 08 and 09's since there were continued problems. Have them fix it.
NUMBER: 09-008-07
GROUP: Engine
DATE: November 07, 2007

SUBJECT:
3.8L Engine Oil Seepage Due To Front Timing Cover Surface Porosity

OVERVIEW:
This bulletin involves the replacement of the 3.8L engine timing cover.

SYMPTOM/CONDITION:
The customer may experience oil seepage from the engine. The oil seepage may be due to surface porosity in the aluminum material used to make the engine timing cover. This surface porosity is located on the surface that mates to the engine block.
The source of the oil seepage may be misdiagnosed. The following are areas where the engine oil seepage may be noticed due to the timing cover porosity:
a). Timing Cover - The seepage may appear as a gasket leak between the cover and the engine block.
b). Oil Filter- The timing cover porosity may lead to an oil seepage at the oil filter or immediate area of the oil filter. The technician may believe that the oil filter is at fault.
c). Unused Oil Filter Adapter Boss - Oil may seep along an unused open oil galley and display at the face of the unused oil filter adapter boss. The adapter boss is on the lower left side of the engine.
d). Oil Pan - The technician may believe that the oil pan gasket is at fault.
e). Rear Seal Carrier - The oil may seep along an unused open oil galley and display in the area of the rear crankshaft seal carrier. The technician may believe that the rear crankshaft seal is at fault.
f). Front Crankshaft Seal - The porosity in the timing cover above or around the front crankshaft seal may cause the technician to believe that the front crankshaft seal is at fault.

TSB 09-008-07

Splash

Thanks for the heads-up on that TSB. I don't know why I didn't think to search those in the first place. Mine appears to actually fall within the stated build dates.
Appointment made at the dealership for next week. Fingers crossed that I don't regret it.