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Possible oil leak? Or...?

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Old Aug 21, 2016
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Possible oil leak? Or...?

So I haven't popped my hood since March, about 2,000 miles ago. I had to jump start a friends car and popped my hood today and saw some sort of leak/rust formation. It seems like it's an oil leak, but not sure how it got all over the engine area like this (see pics). I haven't found an honest mechanic around here in Atlanta so if anyone has any ideas what might be the issue please let me know. Thanks!!!
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Old Aug 21, 2016
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Re: Possible oil leak? Or...?

...I have no idea what the gold/rust stuff is from.


But there is also a minor value cover leak... which is normal. Just monitor the oil level

-first every third day for a week
-then if all looks well every other week
-then every month

...if she isn't leaking out much oil by the end of your oil life duration You're fine.

If some oil is lost just top it up and keep driving as normal.


You could also replace the valve cover gasket if you like, It's pretty easy to do yourself.
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Old Aug 21, 2016
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Re: Possible oil leak? Or...?

Originally Posted by mac25
...I have no idea what the gold/rust stuff is from.


But there is also a minor value cover leak... which is normal. Just monitor the oil level

-first every third day for a week
-then if all looks well every other week
-then every month

...if she isn't leaking out much oil by the end of your oil life duration You're fine.

If some oil is lost just top it up and keep driving as normal.


You could also replace the valve cover gasket if you like, It's pretty easy to do yourself.

Thank you!! Yeah oil level is good, doesn't seem like I've lost any oil or noticeable amount. I am mostly concerned with the gold/rust stuff. Very strange.
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Old Aug 21, 2016
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Re: Possible oil leak? Or...?

Holy ship, that's weird. You need to open your hood more often!!
I really can't think of anything that color, that would leave a mess where pictured without defying gravity to get there.

What is in the coolant reservoir? Does the fluid in there look remotely similar to the color of the mess? (engine oil film floating on top of the antifreeze) Open the radiator cap, check the level and color of the fluid in there??
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Old Aug 21, 2016
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Re: Possible oil leak? Or...?

wow. a real mystery. No clue here, sorry.
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Old Aug 22, 2016
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Re: Possible oil leak? Or...?

I took it to honda today and they said it is not rust, they said it's probably residue from condensation from the AC compressor. They said nothing was leaking. Does this make any sense?
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Old Aug 22, 2016
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Re: Possible oil leak? Or...?

Originally Posted by shawn14
I took it to honda today and they said it is not rust, they said it's probably residue from condensation from the AC compressor. They said nothing was leaking. Does this make any sense?
Tells me whomever looked at it doesn't know what it is either.
And......it's not condensation from the AC...If it were then there would 6 million other 7th gen cars with the same crap showing up there, and you're the only one who has it.

Did you or anyone else clean off all of the mess?
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