Just noticed on my new (2nd hand) S2000 a black spot of dirty oil (10 pence piece sized) on the front of the engine in the middle of the aluminum head. I wiped it off and cant imagine where it came from as it is not near any joints and on a vertical surface.

It is directly in the middle of the alley casting below the read rocker cover in an almost dead circular pattern?? I was concerned it was a crack in the head but cant see anything visable. Has anyone else experienced this? If it isnt a fault/leak on the head why would dirt attract here, static?, hot spot?? magnetism??!

 

I have seen this before on a thread in te US - will see if I can find it.

It was a genuine leak from the head / block but nothing too bad.

I would wipe it off and monitor it...

Can you post a pic?

 

i had this on my engine thats in my car, seemed fine, but will tell u more when engine is removed sorry cant help anymore

 

I wiped of the leak and now it has a film of oil again. I think the head is leaking through the middle of the casting almost as if it is porous? I will try to post a pic later

 

Just took car to honda Fleet and they are totally confused. They keep saying they have never heard of a porous head but cant explain where the oils coming from! They said that if it is found to be a porous head it would be replaced FOC even as the car is 7 years old

 

Its out of warranty though, I doubt Honda will be interested unless you kick up a fuss.

If its leaking on a plain section of the head, ie no joint there, then id be careful.

 

We need pics

 

Maybe they are thinking about the corrosion warranty?

Very strange though, it must be leaking from somwhere. Is it possible that it's being deposited there by being flicked or blown somehow?

 

I agree. I'd try another dealer too. Fleet are notoriously bad these days. Have caused me many headaches.

 

A picture here would certainly be worth an awful lot of words.

If it's from the front of the head (the bit by the airbox) then it's not a huge worry as that's just sealing the chaincase - nothing to do with combustion etc.

One possible culprit could be the bolt the timing chain gear pivots on. It's sealed with an o-ring. Note that if it is that do not under any circumstances undo the bolt - the gear and spacers etc would fall into the sump....

-Brian.