Hi guys, I've got a question about the Ford Focus I bought here in Spain a few years ago. I'm not a complete car noob, but this is something I've got no idea if it's bad or not any harm. I was refilling the window wiper liquid and checking the oil, and noticed here is a tube on top of the engine block that has some residue of some oily substance. Before I take it to the local garage here and get a bunch of Spanish technical terminology thrown at me (and the bill after that), I was wondering if there's anyone here who knows what this tube does, and if that oily substance does any harm. Should I have it checked or repaired? Did I work it too hard on a cold engine? It is that black elbow tube in the middle of the picture. I hope you can see it as I can't upload big quality photo's..Thanks a lot!

Looks like a crankcase breather hose going from a breather to the turbo inlet hose.

Since there isn't any residue on other parts of the engine locally, I suspect this is shouldnt be a big concern, if the alloy parts near by had a mist/film of oil id be more concerned.

Wipe it away and monitor for next days/weeks would be my advice.

 

Someone with more direct 1.6tdci experience may have another opinion of course.

The inside of this pipe often has some oil residue which also finds its way into the air filter box.  But oil on the outside of the pipe has to be coming from somewhere and my bet would be where it clips onto the crack case.  The clips have broken on mine and I have used cable ties to hold it on securely so if the pipe is loose because the clips are no good this might be the cause.  Not sure how well sealed it should be and maybe it is no problem except for oil making the engine bay dirty.

Thanks guys! That's already very helpful. Seems not a big issue but I read it's easy to solve when you replace the membrane in the pcv valve cover.