What is this white greasy fluid (with photo)

[craigmcd]

2005 Outback 3.0 R.   Today I noticed a little plastic door on the passenger side just forward of the rear tire. This inspection door opens to a brake line junction. The brake lines, junction box, and surrounding area has a fine coating of a white greasy substance. You can see that it has pooled a little on the bottom edges of the lines and nut. The greasy substance has no smell, and is fairly thick, like Crisco.

 

The brakes work fine and the reservoir is full. There is no sign of a brake problem, and I have never worked in this area.

 

What is this substance, and should I be concerned or take any corrective action ? Is this part of the ABS system ?

 

Thank you - I appreciate your help. Hopefully you will see the photo, but it is attached.

 

 

Edited November 20, 2014 by craigmcd

[john in KY]

Subaru has ordered dealers to apply some sort of coating on that brake line. Apparently some owners have experienced rear brake failure because of corrosion. What you describe sounds like some dealer has done  this. Easy to check. Just go to any dealer and it can run your VIN. Just ask if that "repair" has been done on your car. 

[heartless]

possibly an anti-corrosion coating?

 

the other half has a 2006 Outback that was recently in for the brake line recall - not sure what they did, but supposedly it got some sort of coating put on to help prevent corrosion.

[craigmcd]

You guys are so right ! A few weeks ago I got a recall notice for brake lines on the under carriage and had a dealership inspect it. They reported no problems. I did not think of them spraying anti-corrosion films on some of the fittings, but that must be what it is. The greasy consistency helps it stay in place. THANKS. c