Leaked Capacitor or Glue?

[Martini]

I'm in the process of updated an old VGA projector in a training room and will need to update the audio interface as well. We're making the big step up to digital & HDMI Anyway, I thought I would give a visual check of the amplifier that is in the room. It's a QSC 302V, which I think if from the early 2000s. The Gain pots are a little noisy, but there were no bulging caps or burnt/overheated looking components. However, one cap looked a little questionable to me, as I wasn't sure if this was previous leakage (as it's hardened) or sloppily glued. No other caps in the unit are glued.

 

[respice finem]

Looks like glue to me - esp. the upper part. A leak would rather stay down I guess.
If other caps (this size or larger) aren't glued, it is slightly strange though...

 

[Philbo King]

The top of the cap is bulging up. If I were me (and I think I am) I'd replace it. It's a cheap part...

 

[JeffS7444]

Glue for sure: The strand of excess goo is a dead giveaway.

 

[Redacted]

They use a glue gun and it can be messy!
Dead easy to change the cap though - as said, it looks a bit 'bulgy' on top.

 

[egellings]

Capacitor leakage would look more wet or oily.

 

[Martini]

Looks like glue to me - esp. the upper part. A leak would rather stay down I guess.
If other caps (this size or larger) aren't glued, it is slightly strange though...

That was what raised question marks for me. It is a separate board though, so perhaps a different practice by that assembly person.

 

[Martini]

The top of the cap is bulging up. If I were me (and I think I am) I'd replace it. It's a cheap part...

No, not bulging, just a deceptive picture.

 

[respice finem]

That was what raised question marks for me. It is a separate board though, so perhaps a different practice by that assembly person.

Or a previously repaired /replaced board.

 

[Sokel]

If it's a board put on its side (with the glue looking the upper side), is kind of an old, sane practice, kind like a habit, as this cap is too small to cause any trouble.

(these blue ELNAs seem to be immortal, I measured a bunch of them salvaged from an ancient all-in-one SONY "stereo" out of curiosity and not of one of them was out of spec)

 

[TheLastGerman]

Just glue. Having recapped dozens of devices I oftently found stuff exactly looking like that.