I took off the cover that connects the ECU to the engine on my 2002 Jaguar x type, and I found some oil. I have attached some pictures, I have no idea if this is normal or not, what could cause this?

 

I would not consider that normal. I would say that you need to get a can of contact cleaner and spray both sides of that connector. After spraying, let the connector sit apart for 10 minutes or so to let all the contact cleaner evaporate away. Then you can put the connector back together. I take it you were getting some error codes. WIth the oil in the connector, I can see where you may get some.

 

Okay i will go ahead and use some contact cleaner, any idea where this oil would come from?

 

There was this question asked 2-3 years ago by someone else. The community never had a good answer how this could happen.

 

2006 Jaguar X-Type 2.5 L AWD sedan

I've found some oil in the 42-pin connector JB1. The ECU connector is dry.

At some Mercedes motors the camshaft actuator control magnets are leaky. The oil will suck capilarrily through the flex core of the wires.
But a leaky sensor is imaginable, too. (For example an engine oil temperature sensor.)

At some Mercedes automatic transmissions (for example the 5 shift automatic transmission) the oil comes via a leaky adapter plug at the transmission case, also through the core of the individual wires.

In some harnesses of different cars should be some drilled wire connections wrapped up (so wires are "open"). Oil collects in the wrapping, other drilled connections getting that oil, so the oil is sucked to plugs which are not directly affected.
Really strange!


Cheers, catfondler

 

Andis28, how the oil got there is a really good question. There is no parts that carry oil in the near area. So, unless the oil is wicking up the wire bundle, that is about the only way. But, then, it still needs to get through the connector which is supposed to be water tight. So, it should be oil tight too. So, back to the question of where did the oil come from? Good question. Not sure.

 

Thermo, the oil comes most likely through the flex core, not from the outside of the basic insulation of the individual wires or outside the plug.

Edit: Wicking effect not through the wiring harness, but through the core of the individual wires.

Cheers, catfondler

 

Bingo! I have one of those 5 spd auto transmissions. The transmission oil wicks its way from the transmission, goes up through the firewall back down to the passenger side floorboard and into the TCU. Just went through this a couple weeks ago when I was swapping out a modified TCU. My stock TCU was still working fine although it was a little wet. I was told some are completely full of fluid.

 

and why don't the British make television sets...

'hope everyone's having a nice weekend

 

No need, they produced the Spitfire and Lord Nelson.