Hi, took the CX5 in for service at 115k miles and mechanic found this. I was quoted $250 to replace gasket so not unreasonable. My question is this appears very minor so is it safe to just watch it for now? I realize is not a difficult DIY job but I live in a condo with no garage for repairs. Thanks!!!

 

It is a oil leak. The oil will continue to leak. Oil leaking from any part of an engine can cause other issues and more cost to service.
Oil leaks vary in severity and there is no acceptable answer except to take care of them as soon as they are found.
That's my service answer speech I give to my customers all the time. About maybe half the other after asking still to state either they don't have the money right now or think they can do it themselves. Some end up eventually return to get the oil leak service but some also by then get a charge for an engine cleaning and other parts that were affected by the oil leaking on them
I will suggest to you on that year it is not a usual area for the leak so that leads me to think the actual oil leak may be in a different area of the valve cover but nevertheless it is still an oil leak that needs to be taken care of sooner than later.

 

Welcome to the forum

 

I would clean it off with brake cleaner and monitor it. It's not a drastic leak yet.

 

OK thanks for the information. I will do one more survey of the gasket to see if that's the only area with oil showing and if it's changed since the pic was taken. The previous owner had regular oil changes via dealership so I would think it would have been seen but it's in back of cover so need a mirror. The car has 120k miles so will get it done soon.

 

Oh one shop mentioned the car may have a plastic valve cover that may need changing so not sure if that is something to consider or not. Will leave it to the mechanic.

 

Your year and the thermal plastic valve cover was not prone to warping causing leaks. It's easy to test on a straight edge when the valve cover is remover for tolerances. I would be wary of a service shop that automatically states that your valve cover needs to be replaced. In your picture nothing shows the valve cover to be warped to a point cause only a small leak like yours.
Service shops like it apparently the ones you are consulting with what your responses are indicating with give all use other service shops a universal assumed bad reputation of doing unwarranted service procedures and replacing parts that done need to be replaced. .

 

I changed the valve cover gasket last summer. Mine was leaking in the same place. It's quite basic and easy to do. Just add a bit of RTV where the old RTV is when you take it off. Clean well. $28Cdn dollarettes and Rockauto.