fuel leak

[capricess]

Did you read the TSB,

SYMPTOM/CONDITION:

The vehicle operator or technician may notice oil marks on the alternator. This condition can only happen while pouring the oil into the engine and care is not taken to ensure none is spilled.

[propus]

Originally Posted by propus

I haven't checked mine yet, but I guess I should look. I heard the vibrating sound again this morning. It happens at about 1000rpm when going up a slight incline.

Well seeing as I was out in the snow getting the Micra ready for daily use I decided I would shift the 8" of snow off the 300C and have a look under the bonnet.

This is what I found when looking around the engine cover







The rubber hose has been rubbed through by the cover. The cover also doesn't pop into place at all four points. The front left (as you stand infront of the car facing it) does not pop down into place. This allows it to bounce and vibrate about.

Is it just me or does the whole area around the oil filler look far too oily too?

[watsonofearnock]

Hi Propus, The cover is held down by 4 bobbins which clip into plastic mountings on the underside of the cover. I have found that when you lift the cover quite often one of the bobbins will remain stuck on the nipple which is fitted to the engine and in effect pulls from the cover. When refitted the bobbin won't go back into its mounting in the cover so the cover stays loose at one corner. Take the cover off and check that there are all 4 bobbins in place on the cover and that one is not stuck on the nipple on the engine - if it is then simply pull it off the engne and replace it properly in its mounting in the cover and then replace the cover.
Cheers John

[propus]

Yeup I checked that. All four bobbins and in place as they should be. The front end of the cover just would not hold down on the nipple. Now I know what the vibrating sound was. I'll pop round to the dealer when the snow clears up a bit and arrange for them to sort it out when the car goes in for it's new wheels.

Cheers,

[UK CHRYSLER 300C]

that hose thats leaking and chaiffed cannot have been tightened at any time of its life! How the hell dya get a screwdriver to the head? Its facing the cylinder head,see if you can turn the clip around then tighten it correctly,as far as the chaiffing goes,it may(I havent seen a crd engine in real life yet)just need re-routing slightly and yes the filler cap area does look a little oily and gritty to me

[UK CHRYSLER 300C]

just looking at some of your pics and I can see oil tracks running down from the filler neck,was that your poor aiming?filling too fast?or is your engine breathing a little too heavy

[UK CHRYSLER 300C]

actually looking at your second pic its a breathing problem,there is a small trace of where you can see where the oil has been forced out onto your engine cover,have a closer look and you will see what I see

[propus]

The car just had its 25K service a couple of weeks ago. I thought it was their bad aiming which made the mess.

[propus]

Originally Posted by UK CHRYSLER 300C

actually looking at your second pic its a breathing problem,there is a small trace of where you can see where the oil has been forced out onto your engine cover,have a closer look and you will see what I see

Please explain a bit more. What is a breathing problem, what causes it and how do you fix it?

[UK CHRYSLER 300C]

normally its a breathing problem,Big Ian has been told he needs a new PCV valve (positive crankcase valve).If it is that(remembering I have never seen a crd lump)it needs taking off and cleaning,the old school test is to take it off and shake it,if it rattles its good,if it doesnt rattle,clean it out,its full of sludge from the breather from the rocker cover.Part of our service is to clean all the breather pipes out(takes 5 mins)or replace them if they are perished,oil and rubber doesnt mix after a time.The pipes are nothing special,just ordinary rubber pipe/s.If the breather is blocked,the fumes from the crankcase has nowhere to go and it will find the easiest way out.i.e.rocker cover gasket or oil filler cap and leave a deposit as dust and grime get attracted to it,a bit like your pics actually...Good service you had then...Not many technicians or as I like to call them mechanics nowadays do a proper job(or trained to do)its just follow the tick sheet,if it aint on the tick sheet dont do it.Old school's the best,start at the front and end at the back.
If i was you I would go back to the stealerships and ask what the deposit is and see what they say,after all it wasnt there before the service was it!!!
Let me know what crap they come up with,its gotta be worth a larf at the least.