Since I’ve owned my Jeep I consistently get a large spot of moisture on the front portion of the engine cover near the radiator hoses. I assume it’s coolant but the hoses never seem to have any leaks in them. I attached a photo , any thoughts ?

 

Are you noticing your overflow reservoir level dropping over several weeks? If that is indeed coolant, the system going to start reflecting that at some point. Is the webbing over the hoses there wet as well, or is that just an illusion in the picture between clean/dirty areas on the hose?

If you don't drive it for a couple days does that dry up, or does it stay wet more like it's oily?

 

The webbing is wet but I can never seem to find the source. It does seem to dry up if I don’t drive it for an extended period of time. The overflow tank does not seem to drop in level.

 

This is one of those things I think in terms of what would I do as far as troubleshooting, and if that we mine I'd take time this and start with a cold dry engine. Start it up in the driveway and just let it idle a good while till the engine is up to temp, then just keep monitoring....maybe revving the engine a bit from time to time. It almost seems like it would need to be a little pinhole leak to squirt up there on top of the engine cover or up on the underside of the hood and splashing to the cover, and it would seem that you'd eventually start to see some moisture wicking in the hose cover or something. If not, maybe short drives down the road, pop the hood and look again. I think it might be a little trial and error troubleshooting.

Do you see dried coolant anywhere else like around the belt and pullies?

 

It’s difficult to tell if there is dried coolant elsewhere. The previous owner soaked the engine bay in fluid film. I think I’m going to go with your advice and monitor it for a pinhole leak when it gets to temp. I have a feeling I’ll be replacing the radiator hose this year.

 

maybe the first course of action then should be a good engine cleaning with degreaser for a fresh start.

 

Just a thought but take off your air intake hose at the throttle body and clean up the surfaces. You may be getting a bit of air leaking through there causing the condensation above it.

As resharp said, a good engine cleaning is never a bad thing.

 

If you can get a coolant pressure tester, install it on the radiator cap inlet and pump it up to about 12 psi. Let it set for a day and see if the pressure drops on the gauge. If it doesn't drop you should be able to eliminate the coolant as leaking.

 

Could it be washer fluid coming from the two nozzels?

 

Taste it (won't kill ya) and if it is sweet tasting then it is engine coolant. How I test my coolant for the last 30 years as when it goes sour it is acidic and has to be changed.