Leak on 2018 Civic Si Skid Plate

[Thomasmith01]

My skid plate seems to have some sort of oil (I think tranny oil) on it. It appears to be clumps of small rocks and dirt mixed with oil. Has anyone had anything like this? I've been driving it like this for a while and the shifts haven't felt less smooth, but the anxiety is starting to kick in of my tranny nuking itself. ?

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[saiko21]

My skid plate seems to have some sort of oil (I think tranny oil) on it. It appears to be clumps of small rocks and dirt mixed with oil. Has anyone had anything like this? I've been driving it like this for a while and the shifts haven't felt less smooth, but the anxiety is starting to kick in of my tranny nuking itself. ?

can you post some pictures? My car is around 21k and my skid plate is always bone dry till date

 

[Thomasmith01]

can you post some pictures? My car is around 21k and my skid plate is always bone dry till date

Gimme one second!

 

[Thomasmith01]

This is what it looks like!

 

[saiko21]

Yeah, looks like something is leaking in your engine bay. check your engine valve cover and half shaft if possible. Did you change your oil recently or got it changed from dealer?

 

[Thomasmith01]

Yeah, looks like something is leaking in your engine bay. check your engine valve cover and half shaft if possible. Did you change your oil recently or got it changed from dealer?

I took it to the dealer for an oil change because it is under warranty right now and I'd just rather them do it. They mentioned the leak and wanted me to pay an extra $75 for a "master technician" to determine what the fluid was. One of their techs said it was probably hydraulic steering fluid, but the civics are electrically assisted steering I believe so I ruled that out.

 

[Thomasmith01]

Oh and I also took a video trying to see the bottom of the tranny without removing the skid plate and it appeared to be bone dry...

 

[EkSean]

If you can, take the plate off. Philips and a flat head. Then you can get a much better look. If anything, just touch it and smell it. Tranny fluid stinks. Hopefully it’s nothing major and a easy fix. Good luck man ??

 

[Thomasmith01]

If you can, take the plate off. Philips and a flat head. Then you can get a much better look. If anything, just touch it and smell it. Tranny fluid stinks. Hopefully it’s nothing major and a easy fix. Good luck man ??

So like I tasted it earlier in the week and I honestly tasted nothing besides dirt. My buddy and I made a smear mark 2 months ago and where the mark is made it’s still perfectly clean. Not sure if that means much haha! I’ll take it off on the weekend and send a photo of what I find!

 

[EkSean]

So like I tasted it earlier in the week and I honestly tasted nothing besides dirt. My buddy and I made a smear mark 2 months ago and where the mark is made it’s still perfectly clean. Not sure if that means much haha! I’ll take it off on the weekend and send a photo of what I find!

I honestly think you’re fine man. Could be lots of dirt and crap that just builds up. You would definitely know if it was tranny fluid and even oil. And the fact that there isn’t much new stuff. You’re probably good but won’t hurt to check. I know I would, I still check the condensation drops after I park to make sure it’s just water haha.

 

[Thomasmith01]

I honestly think you’re fine man. Could be lots of dirt and crap that just builds up. You would definitely know if it was tranny fluid and even oil. And the fact that there isn’t much new stuff. You’re probably good but won’t hurt to check. I know I would, I still check the condensation drops after I park to make sure it’s just water haha.

Haha thanks man!!! Lmao I always do a double take like uhhh that better be water ?

 

[SDAlexander8]

it’s just dirt and gunk from the engine bay and road. mine was pretty dirty last oil change as well.

There are a lot of greased parts in the engine bay, maybe some residual oil left from taking the oil filter off. Driving on fresh asphalt will also coat the bottom of your car in grease. Asphalt is a petroleum product. A lot of roads have been freshly paved in the last 4 months.

Always encouraged to get under your car every once in awhile and check for leaks at drain plugs and seals. You’ll know for sure if there is an actual leak to worry about.

 

[Thomasmith01]

it’s just dirt and gunk from the engine bay and road. mine was pretty dirty last oil change as well.

There are a lot of greased parts in the engine bay, maybe some residual oil left from taking the oil filter off. Driving on fresh asphalt will also coat the bottom of your car in grease. Asphalt os a petroleum product. A lot of roads have been freshly paved in the last 4 months.

Thanks man!!! Y’all are really helping my anxiety haha!

 

[saiko21]

it’s just dirt and gunk from the engine bay and road. mine was pretty dirty last oil change as well.

There are a lot of greased parts in the engine bay, maybe some residual oil left from taking the oil filter off. Driving on fresh asphalt will also coat the bottom of your car in grease. Asphalt is a petroleum product. A lot of roads have been freshly paved in the last 4 months.

Always encouraged to get under your car every once in awhile and check for leaks at drain plugs and seals. You’ll know for sure if there is an actual leak to worry about.

This is the reason I do oil changes by myself as I clean everything thoroughly after changing filter and oil. Run engine for few minutes to check if anything is leaking and buckle up the undertray. My undertray is clean as new car.

 

[Thomasmith01]

This is the reason I do oil changes by myself as I clean everything thoroughly after changing filter and oil. Run engine for few minutes to check if anything is leaking and buckle up the undertray. My undertray is clean as new car.

Yah that’s definitely a positive. I figured might as well bring it the dealership because they are free up to 50k I think. But tomorrow I’m taking the skid plate off and giving it a scrub and if I find anything underneath I’ll update the forum.

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