The car runs with racechip almost three years now.

No issues.

Few weeks ago noticed something weird.

The chip is connected to map and boost sensors. For the map the chip has two plugs, first for the map itself and second for the plug that originally connects with the map.

Although the map's plug and chip's plug there are clean, the plug that originally connects with the map was oily. Oily also was the chip's plug connected to it.

Cleaned it couple of times but it gets oily again. There is no visible leak anywhere or from the map. The car runs nicely.

There is no issue with the racechip also.

Yesterday although the plugs were cleaned and the car was not driven, after checking later those plugs were oily again.

The map is in the yellow cycle. It is clean.

The oily plugs are in the red cycle.

A closer look (not very clean picture) of the most oily plug.

 

Check the TI-VCT (variable camshaft timing) actuators. These work on oil pressure. In case of an internal leak inside an actuator the pressurized oil travels between the copper wire strains and insulation through the wiring harness. This is a well-known problem.

If oil is found inside an actuator connector, you should replace both actuators, the engine wiring harness and all other contaminated components. Failing this will result in serious problems that can vary from limp mode to a defective PCM. 

Oil reaching the MAP sensor connector is usually a sign that this problem has been going on for quite a while and is now in an advanced stage,

Is it easy to check?

So if indeed is that issue, to fix it, it will be very expensive.

It is very easy to check. Just remove the connectors of the intake and exhaust camshaft actuator. If there is oil inside one (or both) of these connectors the cause of the oil is clear.

I have seen Ford dealerships quote between €1500,- and €2000,- to replace both actuators, the engine wiring harness and the MAP sensor.


Obtaining a new wiring harness is usually a problem. This is quite a common problem and availability of these wiring harnesses is limited. There is usually a higher demand than there is a supply. If the wiring harness is not on stock at any of the Ford parts warehouses it can take literally Months.

Not sure where those parts are inside the engine bay and not sure if they can be removed using common tools or if a mechanic should check.

Are those the plugs?

 

Check both they don't seem to be oily.

Difficult to see but does not seem to be completely dry.

If indeed they are faulty and oil gets through after one ride (30 minutes) will they get oily?

On 11/5/2025 at 6:16 PM, JW1982 said:

Difficult to see but does not seem to be completely dry.

That seemed to be dry.

The front one has to be checked again for sure.

Last days they seem not oily.

 

 

 

 

Cleaned the plugs carefully and waiting if they get oily again.

Map and and boost sensor's plugs are all clean for now.

Seems after checking agian and again that the oil doesn't come from the wires inside.

There were some wet spots on the top of the plug but the other part connected to the engine doesn't seem oily.

 

 

Replaced the old part through which oil leaked.