Thread: engine bay splatter

GP1.JPGThere is a little racing stripe right inline with my belt up the firewall and hood, is this road grime deflection (normal) or can the oil leak from the filter or power steering pump and get on that belt? I have never had this happen on a front drive car, also when I looked down toward the bottom of the belt I can see the ground, shouldn't there be some kind of shroud down there?

check the boot on the axle. if its torn the grease flings out, hits the belt, then the belt makes that stripe on the hood. if its grease.

every once in a while I do get a strong burning smell in the cabin of the car, smells like oil burning. I have not personally changed the oil in this car since I bought it, it has been done at a shop for the convenience (I hate FWD cars). My sunbird I had years ago always had oil sitting in the frame/engine cradle after an oil change do these cars have the same issue?? I don't seem to be burning oil out the exhaust and whenever I have smelt it in the cabin I am driving. i do know that I am low on power steering fluid so maybe that can leak on to the exhaust easily???????

in that case you'll also want to check the oil pressure sensor. turn the wheels all the way left, then look from behind the front wheel to the oil filter, a few inches from the filter on the filter housing you'll see a sensor sticking out, right over the axle, if its wet with oil on the plug end or leaking its shot, replace it asap. when these let go they let go bad and can drain your engine oil in 10 miles or less. they are cheap at 12 bucks at least. every brand pretty much sucks and can fail, as ive found out. mine has a brass plug in the hole now. i bought 3, i aint buying a 4 th.

Check around the driver axle for slung grease, oil leaks at the filter or pressure sensor, leaking water pump, or leaking power steering.

The oil is pretty easy to change on these cars. When I was at stock height I didn't even need to raise up the car. Just turn the wheels and the filter is right there.

There's a small hole on the water pump that weeps when it's getting worn out. I think it's on the bottom. Time to replace it.

Originally Posted by iRideGTP

I get this too with a little bit of drops of coolant right above battery area on the hood but it's very little. I don't see any leaks anywhere..

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Originally Posted by Sandman

There's a small hole on the water pump that weeps when it's getting worn out. I think it's on the bottom. Time to replace it.

mine was the water pump as well when i got my stripe.


grab the water pump pulley, car off, belt still on with 2 hands one on each side, then push and pull the pulley back and fourth, if its got play, its bad.

Mine looks like that, I have gobs of grease from the axles. Haven't changed them or had problems.

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Originally Posted by Russosaur

Mine looks like that, I have gobs of grease from the axles. Haven't changed them or had problems.

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oh, you will. once all the grease is gone from the boot and water gets in there it will fall apart click clunk and vibrate.

Maybe that's the shimmy around 70. Lol

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