while the car was getting new tires today, i noticed a few dark drops underneath the driver side exhaust... when i looked up, i found this... i think that is the underside of the motor mount? anyone have any ideas what it might be?

 

Does your spoiler function properly? One immediate thought is that could be hydraulic fluid from a leaking ram. Pop the plastic cap off the end of the drivers side ram and see if it's wet.

 

It could also be the elastomeric goop that is inside the motor mount. Touch it with your finger, if it is really thick and sticky it most like is coming from the motor mount itself. If thin and oily, possibly the spoiler rams.

 

Check and see if the fluid smells like coolant. That black hose is connected to your water pump. Failing water pump or hose/hose clamp.

 

As others have said, it's either coolant from that hose, dampener fluid from the engine mount, or hydraulic fluid from the spoiler ram.

 

it didn't smell like coolant or motor oil... it wasn't thick like grease and was a bit more runny like hydraulic fluid... i took a quick look at the spoiler ram when i got the car home and the outer shell looked dry but it was dark when i got the car home... i'll take a look tonight from inside the engine bay and take more pictures...

thanks for the leads thus far...

 

so i took a closer look from the engine bay and found this stain on the driver side coolant hose... it makes me think that it's coming from above which would only point to the the hydraulics in the spoiler... my hesitation is that this is way left of where the hydraulic ram normally sits when the hood is closed? could it be that under pressure it may have sprayer across?




the plastic cap covering the banjo looked dry, but when i popped it off, i found this? i'm assuming that should all be dry and not red..

 

Red is OK, I think its a kind of sealant used when originally assembled. Mine had it. The hydro fluid is greenish (Pentosin).

 

Looks to be the fluid from the lift struck on the lid no?

 

like the hood shock?

 

Yeah, some are gas but some are hydraulic cylinders. When I've had hydraulic ones fail in the past they have leaked their fluid past the seal.

 

i did just replace the front ones since they totally failed... the rear lid is a bit heavier to open so maybe that is it... i'll check that tonight...

 

Would suggest checking the spoiler pump as well. If the pump is leaking, the plastic housing cover will have pentosin on it.

 

the pump is mounted on the hood next to the fan correct?

 

Yes, correct. The lines from the hydraulic rams connect to the pump. Often the top of the pump pops off, when it fails. When this happens fluid leaks out and can make quite a mess.