New Car-New Questions-New Problems

[hntashdjian]

Hey Guys,

Last weekend I picked up my second 80. Second one in 4 months(this cruiser thing is getting addicting and expensive).

Shes a 96, black w/tan leather 99k miles. I paid $10,500. The car is in excellent shape. California car, no rust. The paint is perfect, 1 or 2 minor scratches. The interior is perfect. I know i might have payed a little too much, but i really liked the car and i wanted it.

Drove from Los Angeles to Monterey last satrurday and towed my girlfriends mini cooper back with the beast the next morning. She towed the mini cooper like a champ.

The car runs perfectly. Man what a difference between the two trannies. This one accelerates wayy smoother then my 94. The PO already had mounted BFG ATs 285/75s. Also he changed the springs and shocks. Yellow springs w/ white shocks. They ride pretty good.

Getting ready to order a whole new set of parts from Dan for a tuneup. It has the original wires dated 95. Also, new fluids are on the way.

Now onto one of two issues i realized after driving the beast for 4 days.
1.The rear has an annoying clunk after I hit a speed bump if im driving like 20 mph or higher. I checked the obvious things, but nothing was loose. Any ideas ?

2.If you see in the pics, there is black goo everywere behind the engine. Check out the pics. Its on the tranny, transfer case, crossmembers, on the bottom of the body, some on the rear driveshaft and some on the rear axle. You guys think its the engine seal or could it be a combination of things ?


Thanks in advance,


Harry

 

[hntashdjian]

Here are the rest of the pics

See the black goo all over

 

[hntashdjian]

And some more

 

[hntashdjian]

Ohh i forgot the most important picture, I promised my gf I would put this picture up.

 

[Melovesha]

I had/have similar crap/goop in the same areas on my (new to me) '93. For me it was/is a combo of power steering fluid (recent pump pop/change and drippy hoses - i just fixed), rear arch seal, and distributor o-ring seal. Mostly power steering.

Since I've addressed all but rear arch seal, and wiped much of the mess up, most is gone (for now).

Congrats on the new rig!

 

[NLXTACY]

to me looks like p/s leak as well. I would power wash the bottom and look for the leak. It will show its self pretty readily. Nice find though.

 

[medtro]

1.The rear has an annoying clunk after I hit a speed bump if im driving like 20 mph or higher. I checked the obvious things, but nothing was loose. Any ideas ?

I would check the shocks. Not visually check though.

 

[Brentbba]

Almost a greenish look to the goo. Pinion seal. Does it smell like warmed over vomit?

 

[96r50]

A lot of that stuff looks like the spray on rust proofing from Krown. I just had my truck done for this year a few days ago, and it looks like that. I don't know why you'd rustproof in California though.

BTW, best colour combo out there!

 

[Lka1988]

Looks like gear oil to me.

x2 what Brent said...

 

[Lka1988]

Also, as a former K&N believer, I would replace that K&N with OEM ASAP.

Oil from the filter gets into the intake tube and can foul the MAF sensor. $$$

 

[Brentbba]

Reason I say that is when my seal was leaking, it all looked black to the naked eye until I took pics an the green showed up just like yours does. Cdan made a quick and as usual very accurate call on the diagnosis. IIRC even at the stealer, it wasn't all that an expensive fix but can't remember how much it was.

 

[hntashdjian]

Almost a greenish look to the goo. Pinion seal. Does it smell like warmed over vomit?

Which one is the pinion seal ? Is it the seal in front of the third member ?

If is thats the seal that needs to replaced, is there enough oil from that area to leak and cause that much goo under the car ?


Harry

 

[Sc0-]

Clunk might be the shock outer cover thing, mine went from clunking to rattling.

 

[Beowulf]

Rear clunk noise might be the spare tyre assembly.

Agree with Lane on pitching the K&N, especially if this vehicle will see dirt. If it is a mall cruiser then keep the K&N if it makes you happy and if you don't care about the potential to foul the MAF.

-B-

 

[Lka1988]

Which one is the pinion seal ? Is it the seal in front of the third member ?

If is thats the seal that needs to replaced, is there enough oil from that area to leak and cause that much goo under the car ?


Harry

The pinion seal is where the driveshaft enters the 3rd member.

 

[Lka1988]

Rear clunk noise might be the spare tyre assembly.

Good call. That didn't even cross my mind.

I'd check the front sway bar as well. One of the links on my front sway bar broke a while ago (fixed now) and was making a loud metallic clank every time I went over a bump. I could have sworn that it was coming from the rear.

 

[Grench]

2x on checking the spare tire for the clunk. Also check the DS quarter panel to see if the jack is jumping around loose. Next, check the 3rd row seats to make sure they're properly set down in their clips.

It looks like the PO steam cleaned the engine bay but not the undercariage. Degrease and spray down the bottom of it and then keep an eye on your fluid levels. Something is leaking, but the evidence on the topside seems to be gone. My bet is on a leaking valve cover, thus necessitating the steam clean.

Sharp rig. Welcome!

 

[hntashdjian]

2x on checking the spare tire for the clunk. Also check the DS quarter panel to see if the jack is jumping around loose. Next, check the 3rd row seats to make sure they're properly set down in their clips.

It looks like the PO steam cleaned the engine bay but not the undercariage. Degrease and spray down the bottom of it and then keep an eye on your fluid levels. Something is leaking, but the evidence on the topside seems to be gone. My bet is on a leaking valve cover, thus necessitating the steam clean.

Sharp rig. Welcome!

Grench,

I checked the spare, its secure and does not move. The 3rd row is secure as well. I havnt checked the jack, but im pretty sure its not the jack.

How should I clean the undercarriage? Its everywere. I dont want to take it of pavement because once dirt gets up into those areas, that goo is like glue.

Why do I have a gut feeling that its the main engine seal, dunno.


Harry

 

[80t0ylc]

Hey Guys,



2.If you see in the pics, there is black goo everywere behind the engine. Check out the pics. Its on the tranny, transfer case, crossmembers, on the bottom of the body, some on the rear driveshaft and some on the rear axle. You guys think its the engine seal or could it be a combination of things ?


Just a dumb question, - did you ask PO or stealer where purchased about it? Might save you some Sherlock Holmes time