I've heard of the cosmoline on the motor mounts but this is a black nastiness that is crusted on the hood hinge. Same thing? How do I get it off? Thanks.

 

Pic?

 

Dirty cosmoline???? I used a citrus cleaner and some elbow grease to remove the stuff.

 

WD40 works real good at removing all sorts of oily and/or sticky nasties from about any surface without hurting the surface. Just don't use it on absorbant things like carpet and such. Depending on the location of the problem, sometimes it is better to spray onto a cloth then clean.

 

use a strong APC like simple green. Make sure not to let any sit on the body-painted surfaces in the engine bay though, and especially make sure not to use a brush on the paint as it's not clear-coated and WILL come off.