Oil Leak from Somewhere
 

Got a 2006 2.0 with 71,000 miles...I just noticed a small puddle of oil on the floor - passenger side front - looked under the hood - I see stains that appear to come from under the engine mount, run down the inside plastic cover - they are also seen inside the wheel well on the lower plastic dust guard - no oil on the engine (that I can see), the oil pan is dry, the only place I see any oil is around the base of the engine mount. Had the oil changed a few weeks ago, and its very clean - this oil is very dark and dirty. Don't smell anything burning or sweet - like antifreeze.

Any suggestions as to where this is coming from?

You could blame B.P................
sorry ,, couldnt resist.

I think you may have meant 2.2, (anyway),
I'd clean all the oil stains you see, & keep an eye on those areas.

Motor oil has a detergent additive in it, it is made to get dirty quick, it's doing its job.. Even tho the dip stick oil looks clean..

Just talked to service - they think it may be a leaking hydraulic engine mount. Never heard of that - but it sounds reasonable.

Not very "reasonable" since all the mounts are just rubber; no hydraulics. :eek:

I have this exact issue with my 2007 HHR LS and the funny thing is that the leak appears to originate from where the motor mount meets the frame. If there is not a hydraulic mount what else can it be? I checked everywhere around the engine and it is clean.

Welcome to the site Dutch, I took out a upper mount and they are pretty squishy, I wouldnt be surprised if there is some kind of fluid in there, but I didn't poke it to see what comes out.

Thanks for the response SS...I have been lurking on this site for a while now and it has been helpful with accessorizing my HHR. I was hoping that I would be joining for information unrelated to mechanical issues...ah, well.

I have been reading that chevy did produce hydraulic or fluid filled motor mounts for particular vehicles and they tended to put them more in manual transmission cars, which is what I have. I have attached a link to an old article...

http://www.motor.com/article.asp?article_ID=965

A part of that article states the following...

..."the Ecotec engine has twin balance shafts in the oil pan to reduce medium- to high-rpm shaking forces. Although these are heavier than those in the 2.2 Four, the 2006 oil pan itself is the same as the one on the earlier engine. Both bolt to the lower part of the transmission case to produce a more rigid powertrain.

The accessories are direct-mounted to reduce vibration, and there are hydraulic engine mounts designed to absorb much of whatever vibration is emitted."

Proof enough for me.

hummm.....gotta do checkin under my 2006 manual shift HHR....interesting

:twothumbs:Nice info find.