Tried de-greasing the Civic's engine...

"BaconSandwich is tasty." (baconsandwich) 04/06/2019 at 19:34 • Filed to: It's not road grime it's free undercoating, At least I don't have to worry about rust

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I’m not sure whether it was successful or not. Used almost an entire can of Gunk engine cleaner. Followed the instructions on it. I’ve been trying to diagnose an oil leak that seems to have gotten worse lately. Earlier in the week I replaced the cam seal. It doesn’t appear to have leaked since then, but after the cleaning process, there still seemed to be some smoke coming from behind the catalytic converter, which covers the front side of the engine block. It may have been the Gunk cleaner vaporizing , but I’m wondering if it’s actually the oil pan seal. It seems like the layer of oiliness around the oil pan and downwind from it (exhaust hanger, sub-frame mount) has been getting progressively worse. It was thick enough that I was scraping (not brushing or spraying) it off.

When Mrs. BaconSandwich got home with the kids, she said the house smelled like de-greaser.  Her exact words: “No offense, but you stink.”.  

pip bip - choose Corrour > BaconSandwich is tasty. 04/07/2019 at 01:51

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new car shopping?

RacinBob > BaconSandwich is tasty. 04/07/2019 at 10:15

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I have seen D series engines where there is a pinhole rust perferation in the pan. Could the pan be rusted through?

BaconSandwich is tasty. > pip bip - choose Corrour 04/07/2019 at 14:35

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Hopefully not. I'm hoping to keep it running at least another two or three years.

BaconSandwich is tasty. > RacinBob 04/07/2019 at 14:38

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Maybe? I haven't noticed any consistent patterns of oil under the car. It's only recently that I've been smelling burning oil. Around the cam seal did seem fresh. Since replacing it, it seems clean around it. I'll definitely be keeping a closer eye on everything.

RacinBob > BaconSandwich is tasty. 04/07/2019 at 15:09

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I had a race car with the original oil pan and there was rust on the front. The hole was so fine it just seeped and covered stuff, reminding me of yours. I can’t imagine it being pan gasket as unless you are racing it the oil tends not to be against that area. You can see if the bolts are tight, especially the valve cover bolts. However the warning is those bolts are specced for 10 ft pounds which I equate to put an extension on your socket wrench and twist from the center with your wrist. Do not put any real torque on the end of the wrench or you will learn like I did how easy it is to snap those bolts off. Other than the valve cover, or a leaking oil pressure sender or switch, there aren’t a lot of places to let the oil out.

BaconSandwich is tasty. > RacinBob 04/08/2019 at 09:41

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I’m wondering about getting  everything nice and clean, then powdering it with something like baby powder, take it for a short drive, then inspect it again. It might help reveal any fresh leaks.

RacinBob > BaconSandwich is tasty. 04/08/2019 at 13:35

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Sounds like a plan. For what it’s worth, the pan look kind of crusty.

BaconSandwich is tasty. > RacinBob 04/09/2019 at 10:03

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If there was a pinhole leak, I would expect to see traces of oil on the garage floor, I would think. Up until late, I haven't been seeing that.  I'll have to crawl back under there and give it a thorough look over.

RacinBob > BaconSandwich is tasty. 04/09/2019 at 13:50

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Hence the definition of pin hole. The one I had kept thing wet without dripping much. First though you need to see rust/crust. Your pan looks rusty but maybe its undercoating. Anyway, its a possibility to consider. 

BaconSandwich is tasty. > RacinBob 04/09/2019 at 14:03

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Certainly worth taking a look!