Slight leak - what is this?

[BudgetBronco]

While working on changing the transfer case fluid today, I noticed a very slight leak coming from some kind of plastic connection that has two tubes with insulation going in to it, and also an electrical connection with what looks like some kind of sensor plugged in to it.

What is this thing??

One insulated tube runs up over the transmission and the other runs up over the gas tank.

The leak is slight, never made a puddle on the ground, but I noticed that the frame and gas tank had come dark discoloration like they were wet with something. Wiping my finger on the surfaces, it has a slight oily feel to it, no color that I could discern.

For reference this is a 2021 Base, 2.3L MT with non-automatic transfer case, 2 door. The attached picture are looking upward and forward from just aft and to the passenger side of the transfer case.

Thanks for the help and paging @Ducati1098 I know you are good at this stuff.

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[RustysBronco]

Does it taste like water?

 

[BudgetBronco]

Did not taste it, but it definitely does not feel like water, has an oily feel to it.

 

[BudgetBronco]

I will also add that whatever runs through those tubes must be lowish pressure, because it looks like the tubes just push on to the plastic thing, no clips or clamps

 

[Brian_B]

My guess:

EVAP vent - the electrical is the solenoid vent valve

A little oily leakage around it probably fine so long as it isn't straight up gasoline.

 

[BudgetBronco]

My guess:

EVAP vent - the electrical is the solenoid vent valve

A little oily leakage around it probably fine so long as it isn't straight up gasoline.

Possibly along those lines but I am looking at this diagram and I don't see anything that is a match

I guess I could unplug that sensor connection and see what kind of errors I get? I also agree probably not a big problem, and I can just keep an eye on it, but I would like to know what it is.

 

[Ducati1098]

While working on changing the transfer case fluid today, I noticed a very slight leak coming from some kind of plastic connection that has two tubes with insulation going in to it, and also an electrical connection with what looks like some kind of sensor plugged in to it.

What is this thing??

One insulated tube runs up over the transmission and the other runs up over the gas tank.

The leak is slight, never made a puddle on the ground, but I noticed that the frame and gas tank had come dark discoloration like they were wet with something. Wiping my finger on the surfaces, it has a slight oily feel to it, no color that I could discern.

For reference this is a 2021 Base, 2.3L MT with non-automatic transfer case, 2 door. The attached picture are looking upward and forward from just aft and to the passenger side of the transfer case.

Thanks for the help and paging @Ducati1098 I know you are good at this stuff.

That is your low pressure fuel sensor.
I know you said it had a slight oil feel to it, but did it smell like gas at all?

Either way, if the leak is coming from there, I would certainly give it a closer look or potentially just replace it. Last thing you want is a fuel leak. Only comes with the small section of fuel lines shown below (you can see the sensor at the very top of the picture)

Part number is MB3Z-9J279-X for a 2.3/MT.

 

[Brokenparts]

From the looks of the photo, that area looks like a low point for condensation to collect. It could be as simple as condensation from your AC collecting at that point. The "oily" feel could be from the droplets carrying engine bay "stuff" down to that point.

OR... it could be a potential dumpster fire / insurance claim in the making.

OR... something else.

 

[BudgetBronco]

Thanks guys...I just checked again and I do not smell any gas, so it must be coming from somewhere else and collecting here. I will keep an eye on it and report back

 

[BudgetBronco]

Follow up: I think what happened is when I was changing the fluid in my MT, when it was full and coming out the fill hole, some dripped down on to and in to a frame piece via one of the holes on top, and then the fluid worked its way back and was coming out from one of the holes on the bottom. Thanks all

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