Buildup near power steering??

Wondering what this buildup is near my power steering. I have a K and N intake but was installed correctly and no check lights on since i put it in 10k miles ago.

 

plastic? metal?

 

I'd pop that rubber trim off the 'airbox' and have a look.

 

The inside of the box is clean where the filter is. It's only next to the steering fluid.

 

Technician who did your oil change/ scheduled service may have dripped some oil and didn't clean it up.
Hoses look dry, no happy trail down the side of the PS fluid reservoir. I'd clean it up with some degreaser and keep an eye on it for bit. Likely just a sloppy mechanic who didn't wipe up and the oil just wicked wherever it could go and dirt ended up sticking to it.

 

The Oil Fill is on the Drivers Side, Mechanic would have to be really sloppy if he spilled oil all the way over on the Passenger Side.

 

I'm guilty of doing it when I wrenched. Depends which side the overhead dispenser is located between the stalls. Usually one dispenser between two lifts. Sometimes they pull the gun before letting everything drip out of the nozzle and retract it. Clean up everything on top surfaces with parts cleaner spray and forgot that lower portion of the engine bay. Who knows...

 

Looks to me like the rubber/foam piece is flaking and the oil from the filter have found a place to gather.

 

Toyota will say this is normal
And a week later there will be a TSB.

 

Look at where your reservoir is touching the shield. I bet if you clean the area where the black stuff is collecting and then adjust the shield so that it isn't touching the reservoir, your problem will be gone.

 

COMMITMENT

 

hmm interesting point. I will try that.