Not trying to be sarcastic here..only helpful...this probably won't sound right....which is why I mentioned it ahead of time.

You are going to want to do something. And give that picture a try. There'* always a flashlight or a flash on the camera.. if it'* only on the cover, bring the cover into the light.

We are here to help you... also..check your fluid levels to make sure none are low.

here'* your pic....


i'm not even sure that that'* oil...i felt it and sniffed it and didn't discover anything familiar...so idk...maybe its just moisture condensing or something...i'm gonna try the cardboard thing soon.

The wettest area is at the back driverside of the motor. There'* not much back there to leak.

How does the motor look in relation to the cover?

that refers to just the parts of the vacuum hoses that touch the engine cover

Hmmm if there is only some goop on the cover and no current symptoms or visually oily areas near or in front of that part....I'd have to think that'* pre-existing and say not to worry about it.

i'll just have to watch my fluid levels...i'm thinking it may be coolant from the t-stat housing, because one of the bolts is bent. the housing is solid with the LIM..but still, it doesn't smell like anything....

Do you have any visible signs of the coolant leaking downward?

You may not need my paper trick. Clean her up real good (Simple green, dish soap, etc) let her dry, and put it back on for a couple of days. If it'* still clean, your worries are over. If not, we can start again, hopefully with more accurate info.

Well try tasting it then if you are not sure if it'* coolant or oil. Sure it sounds unsafe - but I didn't say swaller...and maybe that "tastin' to be sure" talk is just farm talk and explains why some of us aint so good at figurin' anymore...

oh, i've done it before in my old car..i had to make sure of what fluid i was leaking, cuz it was just dark on the ground there, so that'* how i did it...i'l try MOS95B'* idea, clean the padding, let it dry, and see if the fluids return at all....i'll keep you posted

and i will check for coolant leaking down the t-stat housing...but i don't recall seeing anything obvious