So I collected my WRX yesterday. I opened the bonnet to look at the engine last night and noticed green gunk/lubricant thats been scattered around the engine back. I'm not sure what it is, or if I should be worried. The Alternator seems to be smack bang in the middle of it, and mostly free of the gunk. I'm wondering if it was a protective lube/sealant that was applied to the alternator, and excess amounts sprayed around the engine bay when I took the car from the dealer?

Certainly, when the engine was running, no more appeared to be flying around. It's going back to the dealer tomorrow to get smartNav / RACTrackstar fitted, so I'll get them to check it then.

 

It's supposed to be there! It's the protective wax sprayed on the engine to prevent corrosion in transit. You can leave it there but dust and grit will stick to it, making the bay look pretty tatty. It can be removed with engine cleaner, or more cheaply, with white spirit, stiff brush, plenty of rag and sore fingers! It is time consuming and best done over a period of time but the bay will look so much better without it.
JohnD

 

is it meant to be wet and oily?

 

Tends to get like that when it heats up and melts....like the man said, you've got some sore fingers coming up to get rid...gotta do mine, never quite got around to it yet....

 

thanks.

 

Got the problem in MY98 which had a body service done by a dealer....

Most annoying, when you can't make your engine bay look good!