Oil leak from rear of engine (where from?)

[Argos69]

Hi folks,

I've still not got round to the timing belt job, but noticed an oil leak I'd like to identify (and fix!). However, having looked from as many angles as the cold weather and a pair of "wish they were taller" drive on ramps will allow, I'm struggling to know what I'm looking at.

I've removed the plastic under tray, which was covered in engine oil and cleaned off as much oil from the engine and ancillaries as I can. I left it a few days and a few drips have arrived on the drive and more appeared on the bottom of a plastic pipe under the rear of the engine.

I was always told that you should try to find the highest oily place on an engine and that this would likely be the cause. The highest place I can really see anything oily is by looking down the back of the engine with a torch, from the top on the passenger side. A black plastic tube and bracket "seem" to fit the bill. But (!) I don't really know what I'm looking at. Is this some turbo air pipework? Is there any kind of oil trap or filter here that might need changed?

I took the attached photo with a phone and torch, so it's far from perfectly framed, I'm afraid.

As with all the problems I bring to our forum, I'd love some advice and opinions as to what is wrong.
(it's a 2.2Hdi engine in a 2013 Tourer Automatic)

Thanks in advance for any help!!!

[Steve Walsh]

I would give it a good wash off and see where it starts from, I usually use brake cleaner aerosol to remove external oil park it over a sheet of cardboard afterwards and you might get a direction from where it drips

[Argos69]

Sometime Later!!!

Thanks folks for all your input.

Ok, I'm away in France and busy with work so much, I'm not getting the time and opportunity to get to the bottom of this. Sensing victory, the C5 is throwing a few new problems into the equation (like the Eolys - now fixed) and if I'm not careful, it'll become quite a list!

I have bathed the engine in brake cleaner and still can't find this leak! I keep the under tray off now, to help me grab a look when the opportunity arises. I even took it to Halfrauds one day, back in the UK, just to see if general knowledge might help. Hmmm. They offered to take a look free of charge, then argued amongst themselves, then told me I'd have to pay to have it looked at, then said they hadn't a clue anyway! I left, thinking that asking a passing stranger in the street might have been just as good.

So, I'm waiting for a friend of a friend with a 4 post lift and I'll try another look.

Just for my sanity though. Are there any oil recovery/ventilation/catch/pipes between the engine and bulkhead that are known to overfill/leak/split or fall off? I know I'm possibly getting in close proximity to the turbo (said in hushed whisper!), but a simple replacement seal or whatever would fill me with joy!

Job list:-
Rear brake pads
Timing belt & water pump change
Find oil leak (and fix!)
Fathom why oil level went up the other week and now ok (Cylinder head tests out ok - other ongoing tests)
Repair wiring over tailgate to allow rear wash/wipe (ohh luxury)
Repaint O/S front and rear doors following hit and run (circus vehicle?)