pityocamptes

Less than a year ago I had the oil pump, timing belt, water pump crank, cam seals, and pretty much all of the maintenance on the driver side engine redone with Honda parts.

The other day I noticed a leak - started from under the harmonic balancer / oil pan block lip area. It had run down the oil pan and had a small amount of drips on my garage floow pan. I thought it was an oil leak. Started looking at it, and the fluid on the bottom of the pan was actually coagulated, thick, and waxy looking - very sticky almost like corn syrup - I thought perhaps I ran over something - road grime. The fluid that was on the floor pan was slightly thinner. It is a light amber color. I could not tell where it was coming from, as I did not see it running down the block or any other area. Cleaned it off, degreased the engine and have run it for a few more days.

Now, I am still getting this thinner fluid on my floor pan, but NOTHING on the engine or bottom of oil pan, that you would normally see if it was an engine leak running down the sides.

Did not have time to check it out this morning before work, but will when I get home.

Strange looking fluid. The only other thing I can think of is a brake line, shock fluid? Don't think its power steering fluid?

Does Honda use fluid filled engine mounts? If so, what the fluid be like what I have described? Any help appreciated... thanks.

Former User

Maybe your new water pump is leaking coolant from a bleed hole.

pityocamptes

I don't think it is. I do not see anymore leaking from the block - no more runs off of oil pan. It seems that whatever is leaking is not running down the block...very weird. I've seen coolant leaks before, but this was an oily waxy substance. I see drips on my garage floor pan currently, and looked at the engine block/pan area, and no run marks...

pityocamptes

Are the motor mounts solid rubber or are the filled with some type of fluid?

Former User

Post pics

Former User

Yes, the stock driver side mount is filled with fluid.

pityocamptes

OK, will do when I get home. Thanks.

pityocamptes

****... top of mount is all cracked... and I see a dark residue around the bolts... anyway to confirm a leak from this? Thanks again.

Oh, and if it is a crapped out motor mount, how much do they run, hard to replace? Would you replace the other ones as well, or just wait for them to fail? Thanks.


Not sure if this helps or not, but I notice it DOES NOT leak at all (whatever the leak is from) when the engine is running, or within several minutes of shutting down. Seems like this is an overnight thing while sitting...

Former User

The mount is easy to replace - just place a jack protected by wood in between under the oil pan to lift the weight off the mount. I bought a replacement Honda driver side mount from Majestic. Not sure about aftermarket mounts.

Inspect the other mounts. I suspect that at least the torque mounts are also torn.

pityocamptes

Thanks. Are the mounts expensive? Also, how many mounts are their in total, and how hard are they to replace (its for a 1998 honda civic EX with auto tranny)? Anyone know of a write up for all the mounts? Thanks! Would you recommend aftermarket (energy suspension) mounts or go with OEM? Vehicle is stock...

pityocamptes

Holy hell, those mounts are expensive! Any thoughts on aftermarket? ...and price?

pityocamptes

I saw a set for sale - looks like the manufacturer is Apexx Manufacturing. Is that an aftermarket supplier or OEM? If aftermarket, anyone hear good or bad?

apexi_rsx

wish I would have seen this sooner I just threw one away in my junk pile... go to a junkyard would be cheapest

pityocamptes

This is irritating. Went out and checked and I can't see where in the hell this is leaking from. Top driver mount is cracked and slightly chewed. Slight dark looking on metal bracket to engine mount (almost like oil film). No drips on concrete. I know that the bottom a/c mount is not kosher - rubber "fins" inside mount are all tore. I'm probably going to replace the mounts, but I'm not sure if this is where its leaking from. Checked brake lines, top steering pump lines, and nothing visbly leaking from top or bottom...

pityocamptes

Just to verify, is my engine a D16 single overhead cam? Thanks.