When I was driving home from work last night it sounded like there was a sloshing noise under my car but it mind have just been me hearing things. When i looked underneath the car I saw this. I touched it and smelled it and it didn't really smell like anything as if it was water or something. But there's no water on the road.

I'm about to drop 450 on a new exhaust today and i'm freaking out because i can't drop that much money then to find out that somethings broken. I asked my friends and they said that it might be the oil pan but they arn't sure. The pictures kind of hard to see but you can see the parts in the middle that are wet. It was right inbetween the two front tires.



please is there something wrong with my car or am i just freaking out over nothing?

EDIT: Oh yeah, i have a 1994 V6 camaro if that matters at all. Also my oil pressure gauge on the dashboard is at the same levels it always is i dont know if that matters either if it in fact the oil pan.

Thanks!

 

I cant see the pic at work, but have you checked the PS fluid??

 

what is the ps fluid? sorry i'm not great with cars

 

can u see it in this link? http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a58...0126002120.jpg

 

Power steering fluid.

 

so what do i need to do? what do i check to make sure thats the problem? how much does this cost to fix?

 

The photo shows (left to right) the left branch of the exhaust Y-pipe, the oil pan with oil level sensor and the front of the bell housing/clutch slave cylinder, so its not related to power steering. Looks like it could be oil running down the back of the pan from the pan gasket, the rear main seal, etc. But its not dripping, its just a residue. Unless you see drips and a puddle on the ground, its not a severe problem.

You indicate you are getting a new clutch. Was the clutch starting to slip excessively? Did they find a lot of oil on it, as if the rear main crank seal was leaking? Is it possible the slave cylinder was leaking and squirting hydraulic fluid toward the bell housing? Both those would be unusual, but I mention them only because you mentioned you are having the clutch replaced.

 

i said that i was having a new exhaust put on, a catback dual magnaflow. not a new clutch.

 

so since it is just residue i dont need to worry about it?

 

My error on the clutch.... old age is a bitch

It would be worth having someone who knows what they are looking at, take a look at it. Preferably a "friend" and not a dealer or local shop - not someone who will set you up for a big repair bill.

From my experience, seeing a bit of oil residue on the oil pan, on a 16 year old car is not unusual. If its not "wet", not dripping, not causing a puddle on the pavement, its most likely not a problem. It may be the precursor of an oil pan gasket or rear main seal problem, but unless it starts dripping, you wouldn't make repairs at this time.

Have you noticed any change in the number of miles you can drive before the enigne needs a quart of oil?

 

So as long as its not dripping im ok? How long till it becomes a problem u think? Because im so nervous about dropping money on this exhaust now if i need to worry about paying for this problem.

And it definitely cant be the power steering fluid right?

 

Ive only had the car since october so no i havent. i havent been able to check the oil as much as ive liked to either

 

I had a mechanic glance at it really quick and he said its most likely the rear main seal but as long as its not like dripping he said its ok and that its usual for it to be wet like that since its a 15 year old car like you said earlier.

So do i not have to worry about this anymore?

 

I'll say it for the third time... if it isn't dripping, it probably isnt a problem.

That's based on looking at a picture. You need to have someone with the correct level of expertise look at it for complete certainty.

 

sorry i wasn't trying to be repetitive i just was worried :P. And thanks i will.