2014, gasket material hanging under vehicle

[danmc]

Can anyone tell me what this part is that has a hanging gasket on it and what the gasket is for? Is there a problem with driving it to a mechanic in this state? This is a stock 2014 Explorer XLT.

Thanks so much.
-Dan

View looking from front to back of vehicle:

View from under the driver's side. Front of the vehicle is to the left.

View looking from the back towards the front of the vehicle:

 

[ckc123]

it looks like an engine mount isolator..

http://www.fordparts.com/Commerce/P...earch=true&year=2014&make=Ford&model=Explorer

maybe the rubber is for vibration isolation?

 

[tino2]

That torque strut mount looks kind of oily. I would have the transfer case checked for leaks if it is in that area.

 

[peterk9]

Can anyone tell me what this part is that has a hanging gasket on it and what the gasket is for? Is there a problem with driving it to a mechanic in this state? This is a stock 2014 Explorer XLT.

Thanks so much.
-Dan

Looks like some kind of gasket that has split. I doubt there would be any issue in driving the vehicle to a service center. Who knows how long it has been like this.
Also, Dan, please update your profile to show 2014 Explorer XLT. Thank you. It threw me off a bit when I saw '98 Honda in the margin.

Peter

 

[danmc]

Looks like some kind of gasket that has split. I doubt there would be any issue in driving the vehicle to a service center. Who knows how long it has been like this.
Also, Dan, please update your profile to show 2014 Explorer XLT. Thank you. It threw me off a bit when I saw '98 Honda in the margin.

Peter

Thanks for the info everyone.

I changed the car listed in my profile. Since there was a 25 character limit I listed the others in my signature.

-Dan

 

[reserved50]

oil leaked over the mount and caused the rubber casing to swell and deteriorate. Find and fix the leak and replace the mount if the insides turned to mush also due to being in contact with oil. Oil doesn't look red so might be PTU (transfer case fluid) fluid leaking from axle shaft or vent at the top.

 

[danmc]

Took it to the dealer. They said the rubber material was basically just some excess material left from when the mount was stamped out and that there was nothing to do other than trim it off. They said the oil was just a little splash back from a previous oil change. I guess when a dealer mechanic is saying no problem on an out-of-warranty vehicle I'm inclined to believe them. Would be nice to know exactly what that manufacturing step was.

-Dan

 

[BKennedy]

To me, it looks like what the dealer said; excess rubber from the cast-in bushing peeling off. They could have done a better job with the part from the factory, but non-issue. The oil, I have no idea where that's coming from. You are right, if the dealer didn't recommend a thousand $$ repair job, the vehicle is fine.

 

[reserved50]

worst oil change ive ever seen then, if they say its just a little splash that covered just the transfer case. The rubber is wrinkled meaning its been saturated with oil, that's why a piece of excess mold broke off. Did they at least clean it off to see if the oil reappears